Sydney Tram Classification

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

Steam trams of the 1880s and 1890s had separate numbers for motors and trailers within each separate system and the unified numbering scheme was not introduced for the electric tramcars until 1890.{{cite book|last=McCarth & Chinn|title=New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961|year=1974|publisher=SPER}}

Classification

A statewide numbering scheme was required as isolated electric segments became joined and rolling stock interchanged and major maintenance performed at Randwick Tramway Workshops. In 1905 a general alphabetical classification was introduced to the NSW Government Tramways.

In general lettering indicated:

  • A and B were given to steam stock
  • C through to N (and later O, P and R) to electric cars based on seating capacity.
  • T was planned for trailers but not displayed
  • S indicated general service, non-passenger carrying stock
  • U for ballast motors
  • V for ballast trailers
  • W for electric water sprinklers.

New types of electric trams continued to be allocated letters, with the exception of I, Q, Y and Z.

Classes

class="toccolours" style="font-size:95%;"
colspan="5" bgcolor="#FFB300" | Car Numbers and Classification
ImageNumbersDescriptionClass
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWGT Electric Tram No. 1 in 1893.jpg1-3Sydney's first Electric trams used for trial electrification on Randwick-Waverley and Military Road, North Sydney. Single truck end loading saloon carExperimental cars
|File:NSWDRTT C-class Tram.jpg4-97Single truck end loading saloon carC-class (some T-class )
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:D car no. 117 Parriwi Road, approaching The Spit.jpg98-121Single truck, California combination, straight sill carD-class
|File:NSWDRTT F-class Tram.jpg122Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (converted to L class, and later LP)F-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:D car no. 117 Parriwi Road, approaching The Spit.jpg123Single truck, California combination, straight sill carD-class
|File:NSWDRTT G class Tram.jpg124-139Maximum traction bogie, half saloon, half open cross bench cars, with straight chassis sill and permanently coupled back to backG-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT F-class Tram.jpg140-288Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (all cars converted to L class, and later LP)F-class
|File:NSWDRTT C-class Tram.jpg289-291Single truck end loading saloon carC-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWGT Horse Tram on Elizabeth Street Tramway.jpg292,293ex-horse cars 199, 200T-class
|File:NSWDRTT F-class Tram.jpg294Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (converted to L class, and later LP)F-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT N-class Tram.jpg295Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car, partial centre-aisle when builtN-class
|File:NSWDRTT F-class Tram.jpg296-395Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (all cars altered to L class, and later LP, except No.393)F-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT E-class Tram.jpg396,397Single truck closed cross bench car, single ended, permanently coupled back to back in pairs.E-class
|File:NSWDRTT N-class Tram.jpg398-412Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie carN-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT E-class Tram.jpg413 -612Single truck closed cross bench car, single ended, permanently coupled back to back in pairs.E-class
|File:NSWDRTT N-class Tram.jpg613-647Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie carN-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT J-class Tram.jpg648-682Single truck, closed cross bench carJ-class
|File:NSWDRTT Prison Tram.jpg683Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car (later Prison car N 948)N-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT N-class Tram.jpg684-728Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car (No. 704 converted to LP class)N-class
|File:NSWGT King Street Cable Tram Trailer.jpg729-736ex-cable trailersT-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT M-class Tram.jpg737,738Maximum traction bogie open cross bench carM-class
|File:NSWDRTT H-class Tram.jpg739,740Single truck, open cross bench carsH-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT J-class Tram.jpg741- 745Single truck, closed cross bench carJ-class
|File:NSWDRTT K-class Tram.jpg746-802Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed carK-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT K-class Tram.jpg803-805Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed car (destroyed before delivery)K-class
|File:NSWDRTT O-class Tram.jpg803-947Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 855, 935, and 943 converted to O/P-Class)O-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT Prison Tram.jpg948Prison carN-class
|File:NSWDRTT O-class Tram.jpg949-1279Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 961, 1007, 1089, 1170, and 1241 converted to O/P-class)O-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT K-class Tram.jpg1280-1329Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed carK-class
|File:NSWDRTT O-class Tram.jpg1330-1479Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 1372, 1383, and 1451 converted to O/P-class)O-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT P-class Tram.jpg1480-1737Bogie enclosed cross bench car (Nos. 1517, 1562, 1573, and 1582 converted to PR1-class, No. 1691 converted to PR-class)P-class
|File:Sydney R class no 1923 at Sydenham, 20 November 1954..jpg1738-1932Front, centre and rear loading, bogie drop-centre saloon, divided into three compartmentsR-class
style="background:#E5E5FF"File:NSWDRTT R1-class Tram.jpg1933-2087Front, centre and rear loading drop centre bogie saloon car central body bulkheadsR1-class

References

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Category:Trams in Sydney