FARES PLEASE! October 2011 Celebrating 40 Years News from the Ballarat Tramway Museum

40 Years On

Trams 38 and 40 pass at Gardens Loop for the first time in many years on 18th September 2011. The last tram operated by the State Electricity Commission had left here on 5th September 1971. Photo: Warren Doubleday Ballarat Trams are Ballarat History 2. Fares Please!

Family Day – Celebrating 40 years

After our 40th anniversary event, held in WIN Television gave us good coverage May, the Committee of two, Richard Gilbert twice prior to the event, and after, and the and Neil Lardner set their thoughts on an Ballarat Courier advertised the event in the appropriate event marking the weekend of ‘Mars Free Listings’ and the museum took closure of the Ballarat Tramway system in out a Display Advertisement in the 1971. As the Members event had been a Classifieds. The Courier produced a full series of social gatherings at the Depot with page of coverage after the event in the social a Grand Dinner at the Brewery Tap Hotel, it gatherings section of the paper. was obvious a parallel event wouldn’t work The big day on Sunday 18th September and an entirely different concept needed to dawned and the weather was our first bonus. be developed. From 8am the marquees were placed in From attending COTMA Conferences and position, the Ballarat Engine and Machinery learning of the successful activities Club arrived and set up, the trams were conducted at other museums, it was decided placed in strategic positions around the to draw on the Sydney Tramway Museum depot fan and the Lions Club set up their experience of a Family Day. A lot of barbecue. The crowds started arriving from thought went into the style of the event and 11am as the Face Painting Fairy set up, from the start it was decided the event along with our Sales Table and Balloon would focus on the Depot area. It was also Giveaway table. Alan Snowball placed our decided the event would be free of charge Tower Truck alongside the two veteran cars with a gold coin donation option. That that were provided by members of the option, and our Sales Table, made a engine club. welcome contribution to the cost of the day. Our wonderful Master of Ceremonies, the A further decision was made to offer many Tram Controller, Roger Salen, arrived in his of the tasks and attractions to ‘like groups’ black top coat and top hat and he announced and not be run directly by us. The the events and departure of each tram. Committee decided the business of running the trams was ours and the business of From midday the event was in full swing providing other entertainment could be the and trams departed well loaded but we province of others. found they returned extremely well loaded. Two trams were then sent off in convoy to A couple of meetings were held and the handle the crowds and the face painting structure of the event was drawn up. The queue became embarrassingly long. The ‘like groups’ were contacted and Federal member of Parliament, Catherine negotiations commenced. The Ballarat City King, patiently waited in the queue with her Council had to give permission for an son, Ryan, for the sought after artwork. ‘event’ to be held in the gardens and an on site meeting was held with David Lewis and The crew rostering had been somewhat light the ‘event’ and the detail of the site on, and we were blessed with members management agreed to. turning up to offer their services to drive, conduct and be generally helpful around the The local ABC Radio contacted Richard site. The meal room buzzed with Gilbert and arranged an interview. The conversation and co-operation as the engine interview, and photographs taken, were then club members joined in for refreshments placed on the ABC website for 4 weeks. and lunch provided.

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Balloons were everywhere Catherine King MHR and son Ryan

Family Day

th 18 September

Alastair’s model tramway was a great attraction

Tram Controller Roger Salen

Photos: Warren Doubleday Austin Brehaut Richard Gilbert

The Lions Club provided essential nourishment Face painting was very popular

Fares Please! October 2011 4. Fares Please! By 4pm the crowds diminished and the pace slackened. The last tram made its journey The New Board and we all retired to the depot meal room to There are no changes from last year and the consider and reflect on the event and, in a Board personnel are Greg Rodgers way, it was just like that last day, the 19th (President), Richard Gilbert (Vice September, 1971. The last tram had run, the President), Alastair Reither (Vice players retired into the Depot and the big President), Carolyn Cleak (Treasurer), Peter day was over. Winspur (Secretary), Stephen Butler, The event has been held, the occasion Warren Doubleday, Simon Green, Neil celebrated and the business of the museum Lardner, Andrew Mitchell and Paul Mong now moves on to see us continue operating, (Ordinary Board Members). preserving and respecting this important This year the Managers are: part of Ballarat history.  Technical Services Manager: Richard Gilbert Alastair Reither  Assistant Technical Services Manager: Annual General Meeting Warren Doubleday The Annual General Meeting of the  Operations Manager: Peter Winspur rd Museum was held on Sunday 23 October  Marketing Manager: Richard Gilbert at the Depot. Thirty-one members  Museum Services Manager: attended. Previously circulated Resolutions Warren Doubleday to update the Association’s Rules were put  Training Manager: Greg Rodgers and carried at the meeting. These changes  Depot Services Manager: were necessary due to amendments to the Dave Macartney Act. The recommendation from the Board  Chair, Safety & Incident Management that Richard Gilbert be appointed a Life Committee: Greg Rodgers Member under Rule 5 was carried by acclamation. President Greg Rodgers spoke of Richard’s Bereavements considerable achievements over a period of Margaret Reither, mother of Alastair, passed over forty years. He also indicated that he away on the 9th October. She was only 67. felt that after forty years it was probably Over 100 attended the funeral and the now appropriate in the coming years to Museum was well represented. consider others who have also made a major Margaret first brought Alastair around to the contribution to the Museum. In response, Museum in 1990 and joined him up as a Richard indicated how much he had enjoyed Junior Supporter as well as joining herself. being part of the development of the At the time few would have been able to Museum and how one of the things that look forward twenty years and see her made this so was the small size of the task young son becoming the person responsible and the group compared with other rail for all maintenance and a vital part of the based organisations of which he has also day to day running of the Museum. She been a part. will be missed. After the meeting members were invited to ride in Tram No 38 which has just returned Jeff Constantine, the first manager of the Portland Cable Trams, passed away on the to service after thirteen years. For some of th them it was their first ever opportunity. 10 October after a long illness. Many will Afternoon tea and much conversation remember him as a very nice bloke. followed.

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The Last Day of the S.E.C. Tramway For reasons which have long escaped me I General meetings before Entertainment took no photos of the last day of the meetings. It was resolved that the quorum operation of trams by the State Electricity for a general meeting be fifteen. It was Commission. Recently, I asked Richard ‘pointed out that Clause 46 should be Gilbert if he had any and he responded that rewritten so as not to be ambiguous’. It was he had spent much of the day in a meeting. recorded that ‘Mr.S.McCarthy finished My diary for the 19th September 1971 is reading the constitution at 12.52pm’. He brief: “BTPS Meeting 11:45; Last Day of then moved ‘that the constitution as SEC Tramways; Rode last Lydiard St Nth; presented be adopted, and that the Home 2am.” This prompted me to look for amendments required by this meeting be the minutes of that meeting. inserted in the Memorandum and Articles to I found two sets of minutes! They are be prepared for the Society’. The Motion essentially the same, but I will refer to those was carried. A vote of thanks to Shane for in the Minute Book. his work was carried. The meeting was held at the Provincial The only other business raised was that Hotel and opened at 11:58am with the ‘Mr.P.Nicholson requested the members President, Hal Cain, in the chair. Thirty present to help in preventing any damage or members were present. The purpose of the violence that may occur with the tramway meeting was to consider the proposed closures’. The Chairman then closed the Constitution. At the meeting to form the meeting at 1:00pm. The vital business of Society in May, Shane McCarthy had put approving the formal structure of the forward a series of suggestions as a basis for Society over, we were then free to ride the a constitution.1. This meeting then trams. appointed Shane, Mark Plummer and By 19th September 1971 the only route Melton Foo as a committee to draw one up. operating was from Lydiard Street North to It was to be ‘submitted for approval to a Sebastopol. Victoria Street to the Gardens further meeting to be called for the purpose, via Drummond Street North had closed on on at least fourteen days notice thereof 22nd August. From then until closure on 5th being given to the Foundation members’.2. September the Mount Pleasant to the A series of principles for drawing up the Gardens via Sturt Street West route reversed Constitution were laid down. at the Gardens instead of continuing around Shane McCarthy presented the draft the Lake. Constitution to the Provincial Hotel meeting On Sunday 19th September bogie cars were and read it clause by clause.3. Discussion rostered in anticipation of a large number of ensured on some of the proposed clauses. It riders and this certainly occurred. Trams was resolved that there be only one ‘a’ in 34 and 42 in convoy were the last trams to the Society’s name. It was resolved that leave Lydiard Street North. No 35 ran from ‘Board’ replace ‘Council’. It was resolved Sebastopol to the city to the crossover in that the Board should have the right to reject Lydiard Street just north of Sturt Street and an application for membership without became the last tram to leave the city at providing a reason. 10:45pm. Discussion arose over the frequency of Trams 40 and 39 were the last trams to General meetings. It was resolved that a Sebastopol. They were greeted by a crowd clause be inserted to require the holding of of over 5,000 people at the terminus outside

Fares Please! October 2011 6. Fares Please! the Royal Mail Hotel. About 200 people About 300 people were at the depot. The were on board No 40 when it was the last to second last tram, No 39, had arrived about leave at 11:02pm driven by the Mayor of 25 minutes earlier. Speeches, flour bombs Sebastopol, Councillor Donald, supervised and the unauthorised removal of the trolley by Motorman Herb Knight. Lou Walker pole from the overhead meant that it was was the conductor. At Rubicon Street, the midnight before No 40 arrived. Just after municipal boundary No 40 was met by the midnight No 40 broke through the toilet Ballarat Highland Pipe Band and the Mayor paper streamers at the gates and entered the of Ballarat, Councillor Chisholm, took over depot. When the doors were closed, the and drove the tram to Sturt Street. sign “The End” was revealed.4. Peter Winspur

1. See Fares Please! April 2011 2. Minutes of Public Meeting 30th May 1971 3. Minutes of meeting 19th September 1971 4. Based on the account in The Golden City and its Tramways by Alan Bradley, published by the BTM in 2005 and still available for purchase.

Above: The scene at Sturt St. Photo: Greg Triplett, BTM collection Below: Recording the moment can be difficult Photo: Andrew C. Ward, BTM collection

At Sturt Street all passengers were asked to leave the tram and Herb handed over to Lou Walker who with about 41 years service was the senior of the two. (Herb had only 34!). Lou then drove No 40 to the depot in Wendouree Parade. The only passengers were SEC employees.

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Our First Life Member At the June 2011 meeting of the Board it I would also like to note my support for the was resolved to recommend to the Members nomination of Richard Gilbert as a Life at the next Annual General Meeting that Member. Having worked and being Richard Gilbert be appointed the Museum’s associated with Richard over a number of first Life Member. The date was significant years through a number of tram preservation as it was exactly forty years since Richard groups, I have always respected Richard’s has attended the first meeting of the then commitment to the Ballarat Tramway Council of the Society. He has been the Museum and to tram preservation generally. only person to be continuously on the Board His friendship with everyone in the hobby is since foundation. highly regarded, and it is always a pleasure In late September 1971, Richard to catch up with Richard. His COTMA brags took on the position of Secretary after the resignation of Neville Gower. He steered the Society through the first two years until handing over to Clyde Croft at the 1973 AGM. Since then he has held the positions of Secretary again (twice) and President before stepping down to become Vice President in 2004. Other positions have included General Manager, Traffic Manager, COTMA delegate and more lately Marketing Manager.

In response to the Notice circulated before the AGM, member Kym Smith who many will know through the MPTA and AETM wrote: Richard on 23rd October. Photo: Bruce Dixon have set the benchmark for all to attain to, entertaining us with the activities of the BTM between conferences. The preservation movement needs more people like Richard to enthusiastically support our activities, and without Richard’s input Ballarat Tramway Museum would not be as advanced as it is today. I wholeheartedly support the nomination for Life Membership for Richard, and thank him for the work that he has done for BTM and for the hobby over the past 40 years, and for his friendship and jovial approach to all. Richard & Gavin Young c1974. Photo: Stuart Lodington

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By Alan Bradley 1971 Tramway News: Part 5

September and October 1971: Vicinal network was withdrawn on the We continue looking at a few interesting section from Moi Station to Moi Donk news items from “Modern Tramway” on 29 June 1970. magazine, to see what else was happening France: in the tramway world in 1971.  The future of the tramway system in Australia: Lille is now assured, as two trams  “Final closure dates for the Ballarat have received major overhauls, and tramways are as follows: Victoria other trams are to be renovated. (In Street, August 22; Mount Pleasant, 2011 trams still operate in Lille, with a September 5; Sebastopol and Lydiard new underground terminal.) Street North, September 19. The SEC Germany: had planned to close the latter routes  In Bielefeld the first section of tram first, but the plans were changed to subway is expected to open in remove the trams from the narrow and September. (In 2011 a Stadtbahn congested section in Bridge Street as (light rail) operates in Bielefeld.) soon as possible. The Ballarat  In Bremen a 750-metre tram viaduct is Tramway Preservation Society has under construction as part of the been formed to preserve the line extension of route 1. (In 2011 trams around Lake Wendouree. The still operate in Bremen.) proposal is to serve the section of track from Ripon and Sturt Streets, around  In Darmstadt trams 49 and 132, which the lake to Hamilton Avenue and Sturt were reported as having been Street, with about five museum cars. transferred to a Hanover museum, The scheme is thought to have a good have been repainted in pop art-livery chance of succeeding if authority to to operate a Kinderbahn service in the run alongside the road is granted, and town centre on Saturday shopping financial problems can be overcome. days. Children under 12 years of age The SEC has stated that they will hand can be left in the tram free while their over the track, overhead and some parents are shopping. (In 2011 trams trams to a responsible body at a still operate in Darmstadt.) nominal price”.  In Dresden the new north-south link  No date for the cessation of the through the city centre was opened on Bendigo tramways has yet been 3 July. The new line is almost wholly announced. on reserved track, and traffic signals at crossing points have a “green wave”  In Melbourne the L and W3 class for trams. (In 2011 passenger trams trams are in store but available for still operate in Dresden. A “Car-Go” special tours. PCC- type 980, which tram, the world’s longest tramway has always been unpopular with the vehicle, carries parts from the Dresden road staff, may be rebuilt as a standard Frederickstown logistics centre to the W6 class. Volkswagen factory.) Belgium:  In Erfurt two new extensions to  The last goods tram service on the housing areas in the northern suburbs

Fares Please! October 2011 9. Fares Please! will be built by 1973. By then Japan: delivery of Tatra articulated trams  The rural tramway linking the small should have started, and the electrical towns around Fukishima was closed supply system overhauled. (In 2011 on 12 April. The tramway goods trams still operate in Erfurt.) traffic carried on these lines was the  In Halberstadt a new Rekowagen set last on Japanese tramways. (four-wheel motor and trailer) has  In Tokyo routes 27 and 32 are still been delivered. (In 2011 Halberstadt, operated by trams. Their closure has population 38,000, retains its tramway been postponed for about five years service.) because of the many sections of  In Halle route 10 was converted to bus private right-of-way, heavy traffic, and operation, and route 7 has been unsuitability of adjacent roads for extended. By the end of this year 32 replacing buses. (In 2011 two tram Tatra T4D trams and 16 B4D trailers lines operated mostly on reserved track should have been delivered. (In 2011 remain in operation.) trams still operate in Halle.)  The three surviving tram routes in  In Leipzig 14 Tatra T4D trams have Yokohama will be closed later this been delivered in the first half of 1971, year. and 12 B4D trailers are to follow later Romania: in the year. (In 2011 trams still  Ganz-built trams were still operating operate in Leipzig.) in Timisoara in April 1971, almost in  Route 5 in Magdeburg was closed in their original condition – a relic of the late 1970 but because of public Austro-Hungarian empire. (In 2011 protests was re-instated from 15 March the Timisoara tramways remain in 1971. (In 2011 trams still operate in service with mainly second-hand Magdeburg.) German trams.)  Potsdam will be the first of the small Spain: systems in East Germany to receive  The centenary of the Madrid tramway delivery of the K4D articulated tram, system was celebrated on 30 May by a which is being developed by CKD- short ceremony. Decorated trams Tatra for their German clients. (In 1160 and 477 were used for a short 2011 trams still operate in Potsdam.) tour. No. 477 was last used in the film  The Rahnsdorf-Woltersdorf tramway “Dr Zhivago”. No. 1160 is the newest is to close within two years. (In 2011 PCC that operates the three remaining this independent single-track tramway routes. linking Rahnsdorf S-Bahn Station to  The Soller tramway is becoming Woltersdorf village still operates.) increasingly popular with tourists. A Isle of Man: motor and two trailers can carry 72  The new Snaefell tram No. 5 was seated passengers, but with standees handed over on 29 June and made its the load can reach 200 people. Goods first trial run that evening. The traffic consists of parcels and fish craftsmanship of the new tram was transported in a small truck in mixed highly praised. (In 2011 the Douglas working. horse tram, Manx Electric Railway  In Zaragoza the tramway concession and Snaefell Mountain Railway still recently expired, and the city would operate.)

Fares Please! October 2011 10. Fares Please! renew it only on the condition that the trams were replaced with buses. By early Around the Museum July tramway operation had been At the moment the entire operable fleet is reduced to route 1 and part of route 5. available for service, with nothing requiring U.A.R. (Egypt): major workshop time except for No 33,  As the Alexandria tramways acquire which is in for a repaint. This was the only more second-hand trams the elderly tram remaining in authentic SEC paint, single-truck trams are rapidly although the interior of No 38 still has quite disappearing. Ex-Toronto PCCs and ex- a bit of SEC paint, including vintage Kobenhavn articulated trams are taking graffiti! No 33 will be returned to its 1971 their place. (In 2011 trams still operate colour scheme. In a break with tradition, in Alexandria.) the car was spray painted early in October  Brand new Tatra articulated trams have instead of the time honoured brush, so it entered service in Cairo. (In 2011 trams will be interesting to see the finished result still operate in Cairo.) once the cream has been finished and the USA: logos and edge lining applied.  Two new six-axle articulated trams are The storage shed at Bungaree moved a step th to be purchased for Boston from Duwag. closer to completion on 24 September with  In Newark the PCC trams working the earthworks having been completed and the subway have been fitted with rock rails laid out into position. The work here shields in stout wire mesh above the continues spasmodically as the demands of windscreens to protect drivers from the operating fleet dictate. stones thrown from bridges. The Museum was visited during September  Officials have denied any long-term by both our State and Federal plans to close the San Francisco cable representatives, Sharon Knight and tramways. Three new trams are to be Catherine King. It was the first visit by built, and seven older trams renewed. Sharon, the recently elected State member, The proposal to discontinue evening though Catherine, who has been in office services on the California Street line has for a decade or more, is familiar with our been shelved until September. operation. Sharon met the Board after a USSR: recent meeting and offered to assist us where possible. Another engagement  In Moscow 475 new tramcars were prevented Sharon from attending Family placed in service during the three-year Fun Day but Catherine and son Ryan were period 1968-1970. Tramways carry spotted having a great time in the face 15.3% of the traffic, trolleybuses 18.4%, painting tent. We thank both for their the metro 34.1%, and buses the interest. remainder. (In 2011 trams still operate in Moscow.) Ill health New Members Recently, long time member and tram driver, Bill Kingsley reported in sick. He The Museum welcomes the following new has subsequently been diagnosed with members: cancer and at present is enduring 829 Michael Burrett of Glenorchy, chemotherapy. We can only wish him well Victoria in his fight against this terrible scourge. 830 Satch Niemiec of Clunes, Victoria 831 Gregory Keogh of Redhead, NSW

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Sharon Knight MLA visited on 11th September. AGM Special 23rd October Photo: Bruce Dixon Photo: Stephen Butler

Five generations: Austin (behind pole), Richard, Alastair, Benjamin & Andrew Photo: Bruce Dixon 23/10/11

No 33 after spray painting Photo: Peter Winspur 9/10/11 Paul Mong has designed a new sign to enthuse pros- pective volunteers Photo: Warren Doubleday 18/9/11

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On Friday 20th August 1971 Graeme Cleak captured a scene which was to last only four more weeks. In two weeks passengers for Mt Pleasant would be travelling by bus. Today, even the evening paperboy is only a distant memory.

The last day: No 35 is about to go into service and the crews are looking immaculate. Photos: Bill Kingsley

Fares Please! is published by the Ballarat Tramway Museum Inc. (A0031819K) six times a year in alternate months commencing in February. It is distributed to members and friends. For further information regarding the Museum, its activities and publications please contact: The Secretary, P.O. Box 632, Ballarat, Vic, 3353. Phone / Fax 61 3 5334 1580. E-mail: [email protected] Our web page: http:\\www.btm.org.au

Fares Please! October 2011