The Ferry Tram has arrived!
Early morning on Sunday 27 September 2020, Tram B15 was brought from Whiteman Park and installed in the specially built Tram Barn adjacent to Heritage House at 111 Mill Point Road, South Perth. The Tram is able to be viewed by the public anytime through the glass doors, but the Tram Barn doors are only open on Thursday - Sunday each week.
Background
B15 spent many years as a play-room in Kelmscott, where it was well protected. After it was located and retrieved by Perth Electric Tramways Society (PETS) a number of years ago it was placed in under-cover storage at Whiteman Park until it could be restored.
Tram B15 had once operated along Mends Street to Labouchere Road in Como (see image below of tram lines crossing Mill Point Rd intersection) and has been lovingly restored as part of an Agreement between the City of South Perth Historical Society, PETS and the City of South Perth.
This saw our Society raise substantial funds towards restoration costs incurred by PETS and the City agreeing, on completion, to construct a 'Car Barn' to house the tram beside Heritage House in Mends Street, which is along the route it once operated.
A myriad of tram loving volunteers worked tirelessly to restore this little tram to its former glory; many of whom grew up in South Perth and remember riding on B15 and the other trams of the network.
Consequently, during December 2019, councillors of the City of South Perth passed a motion to award the contract to construct the long awaited Car Barn to house B15.
The B-class tram design featured:
- A single 'truck' having 4 wheels and 2 electric motors
- A length of 29 feet (~ 9 metres)
- Seating for 32 passengers and standing-room for 16: 8 inside and 8 on the rear platform
- Removable side windows that made the car adaptable for summer or winter use
- Weather blinds to give protection from sun or rain
- Low side body panels, so that passenger seating was level with the bottom of the window opening
- Handbrake braking only
The story told in the following picture slideshow shows the love and endeavour invested by all involved to bring this tram to life again.
