Manufacturer Clyde Engineering Fleet numbers 1738-1932 Width 2.74 metres | Constructed 1933-35 Train length 14.33 metres | |
 | ||
Capacity 48 (Seated)
80 (Standing) | ||
The R-class trams were a class of drop centre saloon car type trams operated on the Sydney tram network.
Contents
History
Class leader 1738 was unveiled in a ceremony at Randwick Tramway Workshops on 29 September 1933. All 195 cars were in service by mid-1935. There were two saloons featuring 16 tip-over upholstered seats in each, plus wooden seating for 16 in the centre section. It was the low seating capacity of only 48 that went against the class which also could not operate in service as multiple units. The last five of the 200 were built as prototypes for the R1 class, hence only 195 were built as R class.
Rushcutters Bay was the first depot to be allocated trams, Fort Macquarie followed next, then Waverley, North Sydney and Newtown. Ultimo received its first R cars in 1940, with Rozelle and Tempe gaining them in 1949. Dowling Street finally received R cars when Fort Macquarie Depot closed in 1955.
Two North Sydney R cars plunged into Sydney Harbour when running out of control on the steep descent to Athol Wharf, both were repaired. Withdrawals commenced in mid-1958 when the North Sydney system closed and these cars went into storage, mainly at Waverley. On 22 November 1958, the last day of operation of Rozelle Depot and the last day of services in George Street and the western suburbs. All R cars were withdrawn on that date.
Preservation
Eleven have been preserved: