Rozelle Tram Depot
Encyclopedia
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
. It was the second largest tram depot to service the Sydney network, running at peak capacity of approximately 200 trams from 1918, until its closure in 1958. It was amongst the largest and most sophisticated public tramway systems in the world and was a major place of employment during its time of operation, employing up to 650 staff. The depot was one of few workplaces of significant size in the Glebe area during its period.
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 an additional 70 trams . 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 several different companies, as well as the Sydney City Council and the City Tram Association, who's primary use of the facility was for storage. This use continued until the 1980s. The trams presently stored in the building relate to these two occupants.
. 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 on the last day of operations.
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, performance spaces.
.
On 10 December 2010 it was announced the entire site had peen purchased by Mirvac to be redeveloped for medium density housing. The future of the sheds and trams is especially unclear.
and Dutch had also posed for photo shots at the Rozelle Tram Depot.
Glebe, New South Wales
Glebe is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Glebe is located 3 km south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region....
, is the largest remaining tram depot in Sydney, and is one of five remaining tram depots in the state of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. It was the second largest tram depot to service the Sydney network, running at peak capacity of approximately 200 trams from 1918, until its closure in 1958. It was amongst the largest and most sophisticated public tramway systems in the world and was a major place of employment during its time of operation, employing up to 650 staff. The depot was one of few workplaces of significant size in the Glebe area during its period.
History
Opening on 17 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 trackReserved track
In tram transport terminology reserved track is track on ground exclusively for trams. Unlike track on streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses...
from Glebe which has since been renamed Minogue Crescent. Depot access by tram was controlled by a signal box
Signalling control
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
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 an additional 70 trams . 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
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 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
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, 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 several different companies, as well as the Sydney City Council and the City Tram Association, who's primary use of the facility was for storage. This use continued until the 1980s. The trams presently stored in the building relate to these two occupants.
Current status
The site is currently under the ownership of the New South Wales Harness Racing ClubHarold Park Paceway
Harold Park Paceway was a harness racing track in Glebe, New South Wales. It was a half-mile track but was just 739m in circumference until some changes in recent years...
. The depot contains six historic trams, some of which date back to the 1930s, as well as an old coach
Coach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
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
City of Sydney
The City of Sydney is the Local Government Area covering the Sydney central business district and surrounding inner city suburbs of the greater metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia...
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
Trams in Sydney
The Sydney tramway network once served Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, Australia. In its heyday, it was the largest in Australia, the second largest in the Commonwealth , and one of the largest in the world. It was extremely intensively worked, with about 1,600 cars in service at any...
, entering Randwick workshops in February 1961 on the last day of operations.
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, performance spaces.
.
On 10 December 2010 it was announced the entire site had peen purchased by Mirvac to be redeveloped for medium density housing. The future of the sheds and trams is especially unclear.
Routes
- Rozelle Depot served the inner western suburbs routes to LeichhardtLeichhardt, New South WalesLeichhardt is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Leichhardt is located 5 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt...
, BalmainBalmain, New South WalesBalmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
, BirchgroveBirchgrove, New South WalesBirchgrove is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Birchgrove is located 5 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
, AbbotsfordAbbotsford, New South WalesAbbotsford is a suburb in the Inner West region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Abbotsford is located 10 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay...
and LilyfieldLilyfield, New South WalesLilyfield is a small suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lilyfield is located 6 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
.
Fares
- One section 6 PencePenny (Australian)The Australian Penny was a coin of the Australian pound used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation in 1966. It was worth one twelfth of an Australian shilling and 1/240 of an Australian pound...
(5c) - Two sections 9 Pence (8.6c =9centsCent (currency)In many national currencies, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1⁄100 of the basic monetary unit. Etymologically, the word cent derives from the Latin word "centum" meaning hundred. Cent also refers to a coin which is worth one cent....
) - 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)
Pop Culture
The tram depot had been a most favoured film location for Australian music video clips, such as Urthboy used in his video clip "Shrugging" in 2007. Other Sydney Hip Hop outfits like Spit SyndicateSpit Syndicate
Spit Syndicate are an ARIA Award nominated Australian hip hop duo based in Sydney.-Biography:In 2006, Spit Syndicate debuted by releasing a mixtape CD: The Future's Bright....
and Dutch had also posed for photo shots at the Rozelle Tram Depot.