E-class Sydney tram

E-class
E530 & E529 at Centennial Park
Manufacturer	Randwick Tramway Workshops Clyde Engineering Meadowbank Manufacturing Company
Constructed	1901-1903
Number built	202
Fleet numbers	396, 397, 413-612
Specifications
Train length	27 ft 5.5 in (8.37 m)
Width	7 ft 3.5 in (2.22 m)
Height	12 ft 1.5 in (3.70 m)
Maximum speed	60 km/h
Weight	10.02 long tons (10.2 t)
Power output	4 x 48 hp (later 60)
Electric system(s)	600 V DC overhead (trolley) wire
Current collector(s)	Trolley pole
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The E-class trams were a class of single bogie (four-wheel) single-ended cross-bench design trams operated on the Sydney tram network. They always operated in permanently-coupled pairs because they were fitted-out electrically as if the pair was a single bogie car.^[1]

History

In 1901, two prototypes were built by the Randwick Tramway Workshops. Deemed a success, a further 200 were built by Clyde Engineering and Meadowbank Manufacturing Company in 1902/03. They were introduced for the electrification of the Eastern Suburbs lines, but also operated services on the North Shore lines.^[2]

Withdrawals commenced in 1934; two pairs (499+500 and 529+530) were fitted with track brakes for the Neutral Bay service, with 529+530 lasting in service until 1955.^[2]

Numbers

• Randwick Tramway Workshops: (1901) 396, 397
• Clyde Engineering: (1902/03) 413-560, 611, 612
• Meadowbank Manufacturing Company: (1902/1903) 561-610

Preservation

Two have been preserved:

• 529 & 530 at the Sydney Tramway Museum^[3]

References

1. McCarth & Chinn (1974). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. SPER.
2. MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 116/117. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
3. "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.

Further reading

• Chinn, N (1975). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 1. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN 9780959865967.
• McCarthy, Ken (1976). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 2. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN 9780959865974.

External links

Media related to Sydney E-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons