Re: Camden Trams

[Robert Harris <bob@fastlink.com.au>]

>From what I have seen the railways have no time for the RTM's exhibits.
There was the grand "Historical Park" at Elstons (Carriage Works) but it
too has seemed to dissapeared of the face of the earth.

rgds 

Chris wrote:
> 
> I am really amazed that there are a few large rail groups who seem to think
> that only the 1960's era is worth preserving. Look out the back of their
> museums any you can see historically far more important 19th and early 20th
> century exhibits neglected and rusting away. Like the 10,12, 13, 18 class ,
> and Mersey tank, E18, plus early passenger and freight vehicles at the RTM.
> They are far more interested in acquiring crapped out diesels with little
> historical significance and spending large sums on repairing them.
> I wonder how long before the SRA takes back some of the exhibits at RTM?
> 
> Chris
> 
> "Craig Warton" <craigw@wolf.net.au> wrote in message
> 971694293.293019@unity.swspn.net.au">news:971694293.293019@unity.swspn.net.au...
> > Thank you Bob for adding a bit of historical - and factual information to
> the
> > guesses! One day people may realise that the history and operation of the
> NSWR
> > actually predated the 1960's!
> >
> > Craig
> >
> > Bob Merchant wrote:
> >
> > > "Tezza" <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
> > > 39ea5645$0$11607$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:39ea5645$0$11607$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> > > <snipped>
> > > | But why were they called Camden trams?
> > >
> > > In 1879 an International Exhibition was held in the Sydney Botanical
> Gardens
> > > and to provide transport from the Redfern Station the government built a
> > > street tramway operated by small Baldwin-built steam "motors".  This was
> > > hugely successful and engendered the "Tramway Extension Act" of 29 April
> > > 1880, which authorised construction of 14 additional tramways to extend
> the
> > > service to those suburbs not having railway communication with Sydney.
> > >
> > > During the debate prior to the passing of the act, it was felt that a
> rural
> > > route should be included to test whether such a line would be
> successful.
> > > The route selected, and included in the act, was from Campbelltown to
> Camden
> > > because it was close to Sydney, well populated and could be expected to
> > > generate large quantities of goods for forwarding to the markets in
> Sydney.
> > >
> > > The Sectetary for Public Works stated "...the object of the government,
> in
> > > proposing the construction of a tramway from Campbelltown to Camden, was
> to
> > > test the practicability of working tramways for goods traffic in
> connection
> > > with the railways and because ... it afforded means for a fair test."
> > >
> > > The tramway opened on 10 March 1882 using two Baldwin steam tram motors
> and
> > > three large end-loading trailers.  These were similar to but smaller
> than
> > > the American type end-loading carriages.  Goods traffic was carried in
> > > railway wagons.
> > >
> > > It should be noted that until 1932 the Tramways were under the control
> of
> > > the Commissioner(s) for Railways and Tramways so harmonious relations
> could
> > > be expected in the matter of interdepartmental dealings.
> > >
> > > The use of tramway rolling stock was a temporary expedient, as two small
> > > 0-6-0 tank engines were ordered from Manning Wardle in 1883 and two
> > > specially constructed composite cars, by Hudson Bros., later coded KA,
> took
> > > over all services and to a great extent vitiated any "fair trial" of the
> > > tramway principle as applied to feeder branch lines.  The pretence was
> > > abandoned altogether on 1 January 1889 when the line was officially
> > > transferred to the Railway Department.
> > >
> > > Here endeth the lesson... :-)
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Bob Merchant
> >
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