Tram Department
TRAM W2 392
The tram dept was formed in August 2005 when it was decided by the board at the
time to lease a tram from the Sydney Tramway Museum. At that time trains were
operating to large crowds and the tram would relieve the load on the train and
also be a backup on fire restriction weekends. This was done and in August 2005
tram W2 392 was transported to Glenreagh on a 20 year lease. The first 5 years
of the lease was to be free on the condition the tram be worked on and restored
where possible and if funds permitted. After the five year period a lease
payment of $2,500 per year is to apply.
TRAM W2 447
Tramcar W2 447 was donated to GMR by the Sydney Tramway Museum. This tram was
originally from the Canberra Tradesmans Club as part of a Tram theme inside the
club. When it was at the club it had no bogies so the STM also found an old pair
of motorized bogies and donated them to GMR for use under the tram. Both bogies
were stripped of their motors when they arrived at Glenreagh. One motor has been
dismantled and the other 3 have been stored in the shed out of the weather. The
bogies were then put under 447 and the tram rolled into the new tram shed. Great
to see 447 with bogies and moving again after several years in the club. This
tram is one of the best W2 tram bodies around. Some day we hope to see it
running again.
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Tram 447 arriving at Gelnreagh
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Tram 447 arriving at Gelnreagh
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Tram 447 bogie as delivered to Glenreagh
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Tram 447 under cover in the tram shed
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Bogie being dismantled for restoration
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Motor casing after cleaning
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Bogie after sandblasting and painting
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W5 Tram 792
On Monday Morning the 7th July 2008 tramcar W5 792 arrived at GMR and was
unloaded very safely by our good friend and truck driver Mario. It was then
rolled very slowly up to the doors of the tram shed and stabled there. Its in
poor but restorable condition. It may be a long job especially if we are not
running yet. This tram is on permanent loan to GMR from a Canberra member of the
Sydney Tramway Museum. He kindly paid the freight of the bogies from Melbourne
to Glenreagh, via Bendigo and Sydney, to go under tram 792. Please remember this
tram has not cost GMR anything. It may just make us money in the future. A big
thanks to Howard Clark for arranging all of the movements of 792.
On Thursday 10th July 2008 , 4 of us spent all day cleaning and vacuuming the
inside and outside of the tram. It was surprising to see the difference it makes
when a wreck is cleaned out and the broken glass removed. I must thank Valmai
and Lindsay, Geoff and Kevin for this brilliant effort. When 392 is back on the
tracks again we will drive it down near 792 and attempt to power the old girl
and check all the air and electrics. They should work ok . I am hoping this car
will be the next to operate at GMR. Shortly, when we are allowed, we will lay
track into 2 road of the shed and take the tram under cover so as the weather
cannot do further damage. A good clean on the outside and a coat of paint will
bring it back to life again I am sure. All the windows have now been removed and
will have to be remade as the wood rot has got them. The tram could run without
windows until we can afford to replace them. We will push on with all the work
that’s cheap to do like scraping paint and repairing broken seats and the like.
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Tram 792 arriving at Gelnreagh
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Tram 792 arriving at Gelnreagh
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Tram 792 body after delivery
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Back on its bogies
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Tram 792 in storage, awaiting restoration
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Tram 792 in storage, awaiting restoration
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The plan now is for Wesley, when allowed, to lay the track from where No 1 road
is and move 792 out of the way of stage 2 of the shed extensions. The plan then
is to slew the track across to No 2 road and lay track into the shed to
accommodate 792 and this will make it weatherproof and stop further wood rot.
Stage 2 of the tram shed can then be then erected asap. Andrew Lee and myself
sorted through and stacked colour bond sheeting and we should have enough to
complete the cladding of the second stage. This will mean we have a shed 10m x
36m. A very nice shed for tram restoration and storage. The only expense we then
have for the erection of the shed is the hire of a scissor lift and that will
cost $500. Would anyone out there like to help with this little tax deductible
donation. This unit is a must for the safe erection of the frame.
I should of course thank Wesley Seewald for all his help. Wes sometimes put in
hours of work and it is always appreciated.
Russ Phemister Tram Manager
