Sydney 1700 at Seashore - first passenger trip

[Jeff Bennett]

Hi folks -

On Saturday 31 August, Sydney 1700 carried its first passengers in nearly (or possibly more!) than 10 years. As part of Seashore Trolley Museum's 85th Anniversary celebration, 1700 both participated in the Anniversary Trolley Parade, and carried a group of passengers on a full main line round trip in the early evening. At this time, the car is only cleared for very limited operations, but more work in planned this autumn. The car performed well all day, and it attracted a lot of attention, as many of our current members and operations crew have never experienced it in action.

I was lucky to pull the conductor assignment for the main line run, with our fleet manager motoring. Below is the car awaiting the evening departure from the museum (along with a 1900 Boston car), and at the north end of the line.

Looking forward to seeing it out more in the future,

-Jeff Bennett

[Greg Sutherland]

Hi Jeff

Great to see and well done by all at Seashore.

Sydney Tramway Museum is willing to give you any assistance we can.

https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/tramfans/restoration-of-sydney-p-1729/

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[TP]

Perhaps supplying them with documentation of the correct colour scheme would be a start!

The colour 1700 is wearing must be the same extremely faded version of the original colour it wore when it was retired from service and an assumption has been made that this was its real cover. Mind you, 1700 wouldn't have gone astray as a prop in that retailing movie set in Sydney in about 1959. The lovingly restored and glowing paintwork of the STM trams used as props was not the condition most trams were in by the late 1950s!

Tony P

[Matthew Geier]

They have been in contact with Loftus and do now have the correct colours. They just haven't got up repainting it yet. You can see parts have been repainted the correct shade - particularly around the desto boxes.

Last time it was painted, they matched the colour - to the faded green. This was pre-internet and no one wrote a letter to Sydney asking for advice. They since HAVE asked for advice.

I understand a few years ago we sent them a set of brake shoes. We also sent them wiring diagrams for the advertising board lights - a feature we do not have, so they could make them work again.

OERM has also been in contact and asked advice on how to care for their Sydney O.

The next time these cars are painted, they will get the correct colours.

At both museums on hot summer days, the toast racks are popular cars with their visitors.

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[Jeff Bennett]

Thanks for the positive comments, all. Yes, Seashore's team is well aware of the incorrect green (coming out as blue in person!) on 1700. Part of one end of the car (around the destination sign/roof line) has been repainted in a more accurate color, and it's quite noticeable in person. Regardless of the accuracy of the green paint, it is due for a full repaint soon. If all goes well, and the mechanical and electrical issues continue to be addressed without too many challenges, the hope is to address repainting and other cosmetic issues once the car is mechanically sound. It's close, but the Shop team will likely be working through the winter on some additional items. And building on Matthew's comments, Seashore focused on getting a number of cars operational for brief appearances at the 85th anniversary, but 1700 is the one that got more attention, as it has the best potential to rejoin the regular operating fleet for public service. Aside from our Connecticut Company 15-bench open cars (only one of which is operational at this time), it's the best car to handle crowds from special events or bus tours. And while certainly not a car for Maine winters, it's a bit less cold in cool weather than the open cars.

-Jeff

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[Michael Lewis]

Sydney Green Selection.

The late Noel Reed posted this picture on tdu.to of L/Ps on Randwick Workshops' "Death Row" - taken in early 1950s. It is a shade too green but shows the effect of paint ageing. STM's 154 arrived as a nice "blue".

[Andrew Highriser]

Headlights seem to have been removed. I wonder why? Would they have been of use to anyone? They would have just melted in the Randwick conflagration.

Sydney trams never had side mirrors, so drivers were fully reliant on the bells from the conductors? 

It is a sad photo, but thanks for posting it.

Andrew. 

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[Mick Duncan]

Gday Andrew,  All

I stopped driving trams in Melb 50 yrs ago,but have shunted trams at Loftus
and Ballarat for about 20 yrs

In Melb,the drivers best friends were the mirror,sand and gong

When starting,you always looked in the mirror for a leg and
wwre able to stop in time

I still do this,even if there is no suitable mirror

Old habits die hard

I would hate to drive a Tram in traffic without mirror,sadly not all
Connies can be trusted

Cheers,   Mick

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[Mal Rowe]

On 12/09/2024 20:24, Andrew Highriser wrote:
> Headlights seem to have been removed. I wonder why? Would they have
> been of use to anyone? They would have just melted in the Randwick
> conflagration.
>

I have been working on the 're-purposing' of the trams stored at Newport
for the last 7 years.

Part of my role is helping recipients to find missing parts or advise on
replacements.

By far the most commonly requested item is headlights - and I don't have
any to provide.

Mal Rowe - tram wrecker