Trams in Ballarat

Ballarat Tramways
Ballarat Tram No.26 in the Wendouree Depot
Operation
LocaleBallarat, Victoria, Australia
Ballarat Tramway Company era: 1887 (1887)–1902 (1902)
Operator(s) Ballarat Tramway Company
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s) Horse
Depot(s) Gillies Street
Track length (total) 6
Electric Supply Company of Victoria era: 1902 (1902)–1934 (1934)
Operator(s) Electric Supply Company of Victoria
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s) Electricity
SECV era: 1934 (1934)–1971 (1971)
Operator(s) State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Propulsion system(s) Electric
Ballarat Tramway Museum era: February 1, 1975 (1975-02-01)–Present (Present)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Track length (total) 0.85

Trams in Ballarat were first used for public transport in 1887. They ceased to operate as a means of public transport in 1971, but a section continues to be operated today as a tourist attraction.

At its peak in 1937, the Ballarat tramway network was the largest in Australia operating outside one of the capital cities,[1] with 7 principal routes and more than 24 kilometres of track.[2]

Most of the network was closed and replaced with buses on 19 September 1971[3] after which the Ballarat Tramway Museum preserved a single electrified track along Wendouree Parade at Lake Wendouree to operate a tourist service. From its depot adjacent to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the museum operates its historic collection of electric trams from around Australia, including some that were operated on the original Ballarat system.[3]

  1. ^ pg. 7. Examiner. Tuesday 10 August 1937
  2. ^ Kelly, Maurice (2015). Australian Trams Through The Ages - Part 1. Parramatta, NSW: Topmill Pty Ltd. pp. 40–67.
  3. ^ a b Margaret Burin (6 September 2011). "End of the line: 40 years since No.40's last tram route". ABC Ballarat. Retrieved 9 August 2012.