Re: Burwood (NSW) Trams

["Chris Stratton" <stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au>]

David wrote in message <72dntg$2cp$1@usenet44.supernews.com>...
>Hi,
>
>What was the history of the Mortlake service? Did it go right down to the
>punt that is still running to this day to putney? Was there another service
>from Putney at all and if so to where? Fasinating all this past history.
And
>what a great service that Mortlake punt still is, a real relic right in the
>heart of suburbia and a wonderful way to cross the Parramatta River.
>
>David
>

According to the book by David Keenan the Mortlake line terminated at the
intersection of Northcote St and Tennyson Road which is a little bit short
of the punt. The service was originally provided by steam trams beginning on
Sep 23 1891. Electric services commenced on Feb 3 1912 and the system closed
on August 22 1948.
The most dramatic event in the history of the lines occurred on Nov 11 1907
when a tram from Cabarita to Burwood hauled by steam motor 82 had pulled
into the Stanley St loop at Concord to cross an opposing service hauled by
motor 25. When the two motors were immediately abreast of each other the
boiler of 82 exploded. Both drivers were killed.
--
Regards,
Chris Stratton
Wollongong, NSW, Australia