Smoking Sydney trams...

[Matthew Geier]

Looks like another Sydney Citadis decided to let the magic smoke out this morning, suffering a 'thermal event'  on the APS section of George Street.

That makes about 4 'thermal events' this year. There seems to be a pattern forming.....

They are more spectacular than actually dangerous - the batteries are in a metal box that is apparently rated to contain a full on fire for 30 minutes or something, more than enough time to evacuate and for the firies to arrive and drown it.

[hun...@optusnet.com.au]

All the more reason to convert this section to standard overhead wiring. 

Doubtless the battery equipment is quite heavy and could then be removed, providing for economies in operation.

Could also allow for a direct service from Dulwich Hill to Circular Quay?

BUT - Will the replacement overhead obscure the Lord Mayor's view from the Town Hall balcony?!

Cheers.

---

From: 'Matthew Geier' via TramsDownUnder <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, 29 June 2026 1:47 PM
To: TramsDownUnder <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Smoking Sydney trams...

 

Looks like another Sydney Citadis decided to let the magic smoke out this morning, suffering a 'thermal event'  on the APS section of George Street.

That makes about 4 'thermal events' this year. There seems to be a pattern forming.....

They are more spectacular than actually dangerous - the batteries are in a metal box that is apparently rated to contain a full on fire for 30 minutes or something, more than enough time to evacuate and for the firies to arrive and drown it.

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[TP]

Passengers escape unharmed as Sydney light rail tram catches fire in city centre

A Sydney light rail tram caught fire near the QVB on Monday, forcing passengers to evacuate as smoke billowed along York St.

Daily Teegraph

Ashleigh Richardson

June 29, 2026 - 10:07PM

A light rail tram caught fire near Sydney’s QVB on Monday, forcing passengers to alight.

Flames erupted from the middle of the tram about 9am and smoke billowed along York St.

Emergency services attended and said all passengers and the driver escaped unharmed.

The L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines were disrupted until 10.30am.

Transdev is now investigating the cause of the fire.

Smoke seen coming from the top of a tram.

Flames were also seen coming from the roof.

Tony P

(not a fan of the Crapadis)