The former Rozelle tram depot, located in Glebe, New South Wales, is the largest remaining tram depot in Sydney, and is one of five remaining tram depots in the state of New South Wales. During its time of operation it was the second largest tram depot to service the Sydney network, running at peak capacity of approximately 200 carriages from 1918, until its closure in 1958. It was amongst the largest and most sophisticated public tramway systems in the world. During its peak of operations the depot was a major place of employment, employing up to 650 staff. The depot was one of few workplaces of significant size in the Glebe area during its period.
Opening on the 17th April 1904, the Rozelle depot worked in conjunction with Newtown and Ultimo depots operating trams on the western, south western and Ryde tram routes. At this stage the depot was originally accessed by a long reserved track from Glebe which has since been renamed Minogue Crescent. Depot access by tram was controlled by a signal box situated near a staff waiting room which was a changeover point for drivers.
Constructed in stages from 1904 the depot was a 25 road car shed accommodating 96 carriages, this was gradually increased to 125 by 1907. Construction of the second half of the depot in that same year saw the depot cater for and additional 70 carriages. From 1918 depot capacity was increased to 200 tram cars.
In 1926 and 1928 the gardens within the Depot grounds had won the Garden Competition between the tram depots.".
A Returned Soldiers branch was established by Tramways employees to commemorate depot staff who served in both World War I and World War II, with a Soldiers Memorial being erected on-sight at the front of the Traffic Offices. 1,157 tramway men were enlisted during World War I, 139 were either killed or missing. The current status of the memorial is unknown.
Upon closure of the Ultimo depot on 27 June 1953 the Rozelle depot received additional trams to run the Darling St Wharf to Canterbury Route.
The depot ceased operations on 22 November 1958 upon closure of the Glebe line. On the following day the depot was cleared of all cars and the lines connecting the system were removed.
Soon after its closure the depot was leased out to a trucking company, then the Universal Machinery Company, the Sydney City Council and the City Tram Association who's use was primarily for storage. This use continued until the 1980s, the trams presently stored in the building relate to the latter two occupants.
Current status
The sight is currently under the ownership of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club. The depot contains six historic trams, some of which date back to the 1930s, as well as an old coach that has been heavily vandalised. The trams that were in near mint condition prior to 2000 have now been vandalised, stripped and painted with graffiti. Five of the trams belonging to the Sydney Tramway Society were originally acquired and stored in the shed as part of a now defunct plan by the City of Sydney council to introduce a new heritage tramway throughout the Rocks. One of the trams currently stored in the depot is tram: No. R1 1995, the last tram to operate on Sydney's original tram network, entering Randwick workshops in February 1961.
A development proposal submitted in 2005 that included multi-storey apartments, underground car parking and commercial offices ran into opposition from residents. The site has been considered for a variety of uses, including a market, artists' studios and performance spaces.
Routes
- Rozelle Depot served the inner western suburbs routes to Leichhardt, Balmain, Birchgrove, Abbotsford and Lilyfield.
Fares
- One section 6 Pence (5c)
- Two sections 9 Pence (8.6c =9cents)
- Three sections 1/- Pence (10c)
- Four sections 1/3 Pence (13.6c =14c)
- Five sections 1/3 Pence (13.6c =14c
- Six sections 1/6 Pence (15c)
- Seven sections 1/6 Pence (15c)
- Eight sections 1/9 Pence (18.6c =19c)
- Nine sections 1/9 Pence (18.6c =19c)
- Ten sections 1/9 Pence (18.6c =19c)
References
- ^ page 88, Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot Conservation Management Plan, Sept 2004.
- ^ Page 12 , Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan", September 2004
- ^ Page 79, Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan", September 2004
- ^ Pages 83-84, Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan" Sept 2004
- ^ DR Keenan , The Western Lines of the Sydney Tramway System, 1993
- ^ http://lockhart.olsen.tripod.com/roz.html
- ^ page 9, Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan", September 2004
- ^ Page 11, Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan", September 2004
- ^ Page 12 , Godden Mackay Logan "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan, September 2004
- ^ Page 12, Godden Mackay Logan, "Former Rozelle Tram Depot - Conservation Management Plan" September 2004
- ^ DR Keenan , The Western Lines of the Sydney Tramway System, 1993
- ^ http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=2427874
- ^ http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/GLE/GLE39.htm
- ^ http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/unpimp-my-tram-buffs-want-vandalised-relics-restored-to-former-glory-20090503-argw.html
- ^ http://www.southernthunderer.com.au/2009/10/tramway-heritage-will-it-be-clover-moore-or-david-campbell-who-rises-to-the-challenge/
- ^ http://www.smh.com.au/national/off-like-a-bondi-tram-heritage-left-rotting-in-a-shed-20090410-a2vw.html
- ^ http://www.chrisharris.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/smh-story.pdf
- ^ http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/GLE/GLE39.htm
- ^ http://www.tundria.com/trams/AUS/Sydney-1958.shtml
No comments:
Post a Comment