Our History

The Oketon Geddes Carbarn was completed in March 1983, and all trams and equipment were transferred from Castledare a few months later: 

The biggest challenge facing the group was to establish electrical operation. The difficulty of this should not be underestimated. Tramcar operation in Western Australia had ceased nearly 25 years previously, and electric trolleybuses ceased to run 11 years after that. All tramcar electrical fittings, motors, etc, all power generating equipment, and all overhead gear, had been scrapped. Tramway museums in other Australian states, in contrast, had received donations of tramcars in operational condition, other associated equipment, and direct input from transport organisations.

In Western Australia there was no continuity of operation – the group had to acquire or manufacture the equipment needed to convert the incoming 440 V alternating current into 600 V direct current, and transfer this current to the tramcars.

Another major achievement was the laying of track and point work in and around the Carbarn. This technically difficult and physically demanding task came at a time when members' skills in this area were developing, and when limited equipment was available to assist the process.

Overhead wiring was installed during 1985. 

At this time also the W. P. Pennenburg Workshop was built. Further trams were acquired from Victoria, to form the operating fleet, and heritage Western Australian tram bodies continued to arrive, for ultimate restoration.

Public services began with the official Society opening ceremony on 30 November 1985. Return fares at that time were Adult: $1.50 and Child: 50c. Services were provided on Sundays between the Carbarn and the original Mussel Pool stop.

The official opening of Whiteman Park - 1986

During 1986, track was finished and overhead installed from (old) Mussel Pool to Village and Central Station, then from Triangle to Entrance.

Services commenced over the whole system at the official opening of Whiteman Park on 21 September 1986:

At this stage the operating fleet consisted of W2 cars 329, 368, 393 and W4 674. Several years later SW2 426 was also acquired from Melbourne and subsequently joined the operating fleet. Ballarat single-truck tram 31 was used on special occasions.

Tramcar restoration - 1983 - 1992

The other fundamental task for the group – indeed, its main raison d'être – was the restoration to operating condition of local tramcars, of which Fremantle Municipal Tramways #29 was to be the first. This undertaking was also monumental. No electrical or other operating equipment for tramcars was available locally, and this had to be acquired or made. For safety of operation the body had to be completely stripped to ensure its structural integrity. Seats had to be manufactured and assembled, and all surfaces finished to the high standard associated with the Fremantle Municipal Tramways.

While the Society's early emphasis had to be on building infrastructure and developing traffic operations, restoration work continued over the years, and 16 August 1992 saw the official return of Fremantle #29 to regular service, some 40 years after the closure of the Fremantle tramway system.

1992 also saw the Society acting as the Host museum for the biennial Conference of the Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia [COTMA].

Consolidation and development - 1992 - present

In the years since 1992 we have continued to give visitors the experience of travelling on these heritage vehicles; at the same time, many other Society activities have developed:

• The ongoing need for infrastructure upgrading has seen the introduction of programmes to

  • replace wooden traction poles with steel or concrete

  • replace wooden sleepers, at the end of their useful life, with steel sleepers

  • erection of further buildings for tramcar storage and maintenance

  • acquire ancillary equipment for use in maintenance and restoration

• Safety of members and the public has always been a Society imperative. The need to gain Rail Safety Accreditation required documentation of the procedures which we had developed, and the Society successfully gained accreditation from the W. A. Department of Transport in May 2000.

• Tramcar restoration and preservation has continued. Perth tram #130 is currently the main focus of restoration efforts, which are lengthy due to the need to ensure the structural integrity of the car. Work to preserve or prevent deterioration in other tram bodies such as Perth G 35, originally Kalgoorlie 16, has also been undertaken.

• Several mobile displays have been developed, with information and photographs about tram operations in Western Australia and PETS operations at Whiteman Park.

• A programme of regular monthly Car Barn tours has been developed to give visitors an insight into our activities.

• Further tramcar and trolley bus bodies have been added to the Society's collection for preservation and eventual restoration.

• The Society has assisted in the publication of books about Western Australian tramways, and has expanded its range of souvenirs and other items on sale.

• Archival collections have expanded with the donation or copying of photographs and other records.

Covid 19 pandemic - 2020 - 2022

The Covid 19 pandemic came to Australian shores in March 2020 and on the 19th of Mach 2020 the decision was made to suspend all passenger operations to protect both passengers and crew from the virus. This presented a great challenge to the society as we lost our source of revenue, leading to slower progress on restoration and maintenance. Thankfully on Monday the 12th of October 2020 tram services were allowed to resume, with passenger numbers being limited to 30 and passengers and crew having to wear masks.

By 2022 the last of the Covid restrictions were lifted.

The future

The Society aims to continually improve its presentation of the story of Western Australian trams to the public of WA by:

• continued provision of the "living museum" experience - rides on heritage trams

• completion of the restoration of Perth tram #130

• restoration and operation of other WA and Australian trams

• restoring Western Australian trolley-buses, and operating them within Whiteman Park

• further improvement of facilities for maintenance and restoration

• building a strong membership to assist with fulfilling our objectives