A type | |
---|---|
![]() A1 at the Tramway Museum, St Kilda
in March 2009 |
|
Manufacturer | Duncan & Fraser |
Assembly | Adelaide |
Constructed | 1908/09 |
Number built | 70 |
Fleet numbers | 1-30, 61-100 |
Capacity | 40 |
Specifications | |
Car length | 10.19 metres |
Width | 2.69 metres |
Height | 3.35 metres |
Weight | 10.9 tonnes |
Traction motors | 2 x 33hp Westinghouse |
Current collection method | Trolley pole |
Bogies | JG Brill Company 21E |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The A type Adelaide tram was a class of 70 drop end, Californian combination trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide in 1908/09 for the Municipal Tramways Trust (MTT). They were used on tram lines to Kensington, Marryatville, Maylands, Payneham, Wakerville, North Adelaide, Parkside, Unley and Hyde Park. In later years they were cascaded to quietier services to Croydon and the isolated Port Adelaide network.
When the MTT introduced an alpha classification system in 1923, they were designated the A type. Many were retired in the 1930s, but most returned to service during World War II operating in coupled pairs to conserve manpower. These were nicknamed Bib & Bubs after comic characters created by May Gibbs. The remaining examples were withdrawn in 1952.
Numbers 10, 69 and 92 were sold to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and placed in service in Ballarat as 21, 23, and 22. The former remained in service until the system closed in 1971.
Two have been preserved: