The first trams used in Sydney were pulled by horses, and this is the only known survivor of the tramcars that were used on horsedrawn services.. A horse could pull a greater load along a smooth rail than over a rough road, due to the rail's lower rolling resistance. A horsedrawn tram also offered passengers a more comfortable ride than a horsedrawn omnibus, a contemporary form of public transport that plied the streets of Australia's colonial cities.

The first horse trams in Sydney operated from 22 December 1861 along Pitt Street to link the ferries and ships at Circular Quay with the main railway terminus at the then Redfern Station, which was located near Devonshire Street. Pulled by four horses, they held 30 passengers inside and another 30 on the roof. This service was discontinued five years later following the death of a prominent citizen in a tramway accident.

From 1861 to the 1960s, Sydney's public transport included a series of tram systems, and each was initially embraced and ultimately rejected by administrators and local commuters. These systems were defined by the source of tractive power: horse, steam, cable and electric. As the city grew, new ways were constantly sought to adapt and integrate this transport technology to meet the needs of the prosperous and rapidly expanding harbourside city.

This tram dates from the second phase of horse trams in Sydney, when they ran in Newtown from 1894 to 1898 and Manly from 1903 until 1907. Both these services were introduced as temporary, more economical replacements for poorly patronised steam-operated services.

From 17 December 1894, two horse tramcars operated between Newtown and St Peters Station. The two tramcars, each drawn by one horse, carried the numbers 198 and 199 (the tramcar now in the Museum's collection) in the steam tram trailer car fleet. They were housed in the former Newtown steam tram shed.

The trailer cars had been completed at the Randwick Tramway Workshops of the NSW Government Railways in July 1894 to operate on the Newtown-St Peters steam tram route but, due to light patronage of the route, the decision was made to change to a less costly horsedrawn service, which was maintained until 1 July 1898.

These cars were similar to the North Sydney cable car trailers in design, with end-loading platforms; however, they had five rather than six side windows, were only 4880mm (16 feet) long and were mounted on four 762mm (30 inch) diameter pressed steel wheels. During 1901, the two cars were reallocated to the electric tramcar fleet, refitted with 610mm (24 inch) cast steel wheels and renumbered 293 and 292 respectively.

Cars 293 and 292 remained at Manly Tram Depot and were written off the books in February 1913. Archival records show that they were sold to a Mr P Carew of Brookvale for five pounds each. Car 292 was converted to living quarters and on 1 March 1953, it was donated to the Museum by Manly Municipal Council and subsequently restored.

The tram was built at the Randwick Tramway Workshops of the NSW Government Railways, Sydney, in July 1894

The first horse trams in Sydney operated from 22 December 1861 along Pitt Street to link the ferries and ships at Circular Quay with the main railway terminus at the then Redfern Station, which was located near Devonshire Street. Pulled by four horses, they held 30 passengers inside and another 30 on the roof.

While this first horse tramway was eagerly anticipated, especially by retailers in Pitt Street, it was soon beset with problems. Most of these resulted from the fact that the tramway operated on railway lines sitting on the surface of the road rather than tramway tracks set into and flush with the surface. This resulted from a decision by the Department of Railways to use railway wagons to carry goods on the system. The railway tracks proved a hazard and could damage the wheels of horse-drawn road vehicles that crossed them.

On 15 January 1864, prominent Sydney musician Isaac Nathan was a passenger on the horse tram along Pitt Street. On alighting, he fell under the tram wheels and was killed. This incident galvanised the already negative sentiment about the tramway and led to the formation of a parliamentary committee which recommended the closure of the line. It was officially closed on 31 December 1866.

This tram dates from the second phase of horse trams in Sydney, when they briefly ran in Newtown from 1894 to 1898 and Manly from 1903 until 1907. Both these services were introduced as temporary, more economical, replacements for poorly patronised steam-operated services.

From 17 December 1894, two horse tramcars operated between Newtown and St Peters Station. The two tramcars, each drawn by one horse, carried the numbers 198 and 199 (the tramcar now in the Museum's collection) in the steam tram trailer car fleet. They were housed in the former Newtown steam tram shed.

The trailer cars had been completed at the Randwick Tramway Workshops of the NSW Government Railways in July 1894 to operate on the Newtown-St Peters steam tram route but due to light patronage of the route, the decision was made to change to a less costly horse drawn service, which was maintained until 1 July 1898.

Newcastle Tramway archives show that car 199/292 (the Museum's tramcar) was leased and transferred to the Excelsior Bank, Investment & Building Company & Bank Limited for its steam tramway between Fassifern and Toronto pier, though this is not confirmed. This service was opened and operated from August 1891 until March 1899 and was worked by horses from October 1898 until March 1899.

On 14 February 1903, a full time steam tram service was introduced between Manly and Curl Curl to connect with Circular Quay ferries at Manly. Again, because of lack of patronage, horse tram services replaced the steam trams from 20 July 1903 with no evening service except on Saturdays. In June 1903, electric tramcar trailers 293 and 292 were refitted for horse-working the Manly route at a cost of 11 pounds 2 shillings, but the 24 inch wheels were retained. The service was horsed and worked by a contractor, although the government supplied conductors until 3 December 1903, prior to their removal from the service a month later. An increase in patronage resulted in the reinstatement of the steam tram services from 30 September 1907.

Cars 293 and 292 remained at Manly Tram Depot and were written off the books in February 1913. Archival records show that they were sold to a Mr P Carew of Brookvale for five pounds each. Car 292 was converted to living quarters and on 1 March 1953, it was donated to the Museum by Manly Municipal Council and subsequently restored.

Tram, full size, horsedrawn, 'Manly' tram, wood / steel / brass / glass, Randwick Tramway Workshops of the NSW Government Railways, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1894

This is tramcar number 199. Although similar to the North Sydney cable tram trailer cars, it has five rather than six side windows. A clerestory roof increases the light level in the saloon.

Specifications (as built)

Type: Single truck, single deck end loading saloon with longitudinal seats
Built: Randwick Tramway Workshops, Sydney
Seating: 14
Trucks: Axle box and pedestal, with helical steel springs
Traction: One horse
Weight: 2.5 tonnes (2.5 tons)
Length: 4880mm (16 feet)

Made: Randwick Tramway Workshop; Randwick, New South Wales; 1894

Used: Manly, New South Wales; 1903 - 1913

B1172

1894

2200 mm