Newcastle's Trams way back when

 

Hello Wednesday, hello world, hello readers today we are looking at the rise and fall of the electric tramway.

Newcastle’s first tram service started in 1887, it ran between the city and the suburbs Wallsend/Plattsburg, it was a steam service. The tram actual went down Robert St in Wallsend straight pass the house my brother now owns and lives in. I know this because I remember my Great-Aunt Joyce, who owned the house before my brother told me more then once. 

Steam trams were speedy and reliable, but they also caused environmental issues.

The electrification of the network began at the end of 1923 with the Mayfield service and over time extended. The tram first came into service in November 1924.

For a while there was a hybrid network between electric and steam trams, with steam trams running between Wallsend and Speers Point as well as West Wallsend.

The system was exclusively electric by 1930, the tram network was gradually converted to bus and trolleybus operations from the 1930s

In the 1930s poor patronage and competition from bus services led to the realisation that trams were not paying their way. During the Great Depression, there was not the political will to remove a service that provided jobs and cheap transport, however by the late 1930s this had changed, and the Port Waratah and Carrington lines were closed in 1938.

Many believe that it was World War 11 that delayed any further closures. Because of fuel rationing buses were not allowed to run services where trams operated. The end of the war saw the Mayfield line close in 1948, the Wallsend line in 1949 with the remainder in 1950.

As tram services in Newcastle declined, the Hamilton Depot was converted to a bus depot, which it continues as today operated by Newcastle Transport.

Buses gradually took over from trams as time went by with the last tram run ending on the 12 June 1950, it was tram number 147 and ran to Waratah before terminating at 12.10am an account was given by a transport enthusiast named Ken Magor, he wrote the following.

The tram leaving on its last run was covered in streamers and as it passed through the streets of its route there were surprising numbers that awaited its final run. Of course, Hunter Street with its late revellers gave it a resounding cheer as it passed by. A large and happy crowd filled the tram and rode to the terminus where many photos were taken, and a Mr Taylor let off a rather large rocket and comments were made that if trams ever returned to Newcastle they would be “jet propelled”.

Twelve members of the Australian Electric Traction Association, whose members worked hard for the retention of the tramway system but with no luck. This was due to non-co-operation of local bodies, made the trip from Sydney for the last tram ride.