32-545: The Valley Heights Rail Museum is a railway museum located in Valley Heights , New South Wales , Australia. The facility is located 400 metres (1,300 ft) north-west of Valley Heights railway station . The museum is operated by two partner organisations: The heritage-listed locomotive depot was constructed in 1913 when the duplication of the Main Western railway line between Emu Plains and Glenbrook
64-658: A bill authorising the NSW Government to construct tramways throughout the city and its suburbs was given assent in April 1880. This began an era of rapid growth in the tramway network-from 2.5 knots (4.6 km/h; 2.9 mph) in 1879 to almost 50 kilometres (31 mi) in 1884. The peak of the service was reached during 1894, when the length of the tramway reached 64 kilometres (40 mi) when there were over 100 steam trams in service. Intense competition from horse buses saw trams racing buses along various routes. While
96-441: A lively simulation of what it may have been like for people travelling by this mode of public transport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is a popular resource for school excursions studying transport development, senior study groups and overseas enthusiast visitors. The moveable collection of steam tram rolling stock at Valley Heights consists of 3 examples of tram rolling stock: one locomotive manufactured in
128-465: A rare showcase of steam tram rolling stock technology, both imported and locally manufactured. Two of the examples of rolling stock were adaptively designed and manufactured in NSW and thus demonstrate the design and craft expertise of their Sydney manufacturers. The rolling stock demonstrates construction methods of joinery and fitting from an early stage in the development of public street transport. They form
160-409: A remnant of the steam tram network in operation in NSW between the 1880s and the 1930s. In Sydney, steam trams were the first form of transport to impact to the greatest extent on freeing working-class people from the confines of their immediate community for the purposes of employment, recreation and socialising. Because tram timetables were well designed to connect with train stations and rail services,
192-473: A strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. This collection of three examples of steam tram rolling stock held at Valley Heights is of state social significance to the many enthusiasts of historic train technology and historic steam technology from all over NSW. A dedicated group of volunteers are engaged in
224-610: Is a heritage-listed collection of tramway machinery at 17b Tusculum Road, Valley Heights , City of Blue Mountains , New South Wales , Australia. It was built from 1889 to 1891. The property is owned by Steam Tram and Railway Preservation (Co-op) Society (Community Group). It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 October 2016. In 1879 to facilitate travel to the International Exhibition, to be held in
256-413: Is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. This collection of steam tram rolling stock is of state significance as representative examples of early steam tram transportation in NSW. The 72 and 93B are typical examples of trailer cars which once formed the mainstay of Sydney's steam tram system, and the 103A locomotive
288-500: Is of state heritage significance as a remnant of the state government-provided steam tram network in NSW which was in operation between the 1880s and the 1930s. This street-based public transport, which supplemented the rail networks in Sydney and Newcastle, broadened social outlets and employment opportunities, especially for lower income people. The collection, comprising two carriages and one locomotive, has state technical significance as
320-465: Is of state significance for its rarity as the only collection of operational steam tram carriages in NSW. These three carriages are among the last remaining representatives of this type of carriage manufacture in NSW. The 193B carriage is one of only three remaining in NSW in salvable condition. The Eames Vacuum brake system is the only surviving example of this type of system in Australia. The place
352-531: The Garden Palace in the Botanic Gardens, a steam tramline from the railway terminus to Hunter Street via Elizabeth Street was constructed as a stop-gap measure. The new steam tramway was an immediate success. Nearly half a million passengers were conveyed, an average of more than 4,000 per day. Further, the return on the capital invested was high around 33 per cent. In light of this success,
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#1732793063624384-503: The 'Steam Tram and Railway Preservation (Co-op) Society Ltd'and displayed, operated and maintained by a variety of volunteer organisations. The depot where the rolling stock is housed is affiliated with the Transport Heritage Workers Volunteer Group, indicating a strong sense of community involvement and ownership of the site. Contemporary visitors may ride on the steam tram and thus experience
416-505: The State Heritage Register as 'collection of steam tram rolling stock is of state historical significance as a remnant of the steam tram network in operation in NSW between the 1880s and the 1930s. On 31 January 2014, the museum celebrated the centenary of the opening of the depot, with a special ceremony featuring speeches from the NSW governor Marie Bashir and NSW premier Barry O'Farrell . The governor formally opened
448-550: The US and two trailer cars manufactured in Sydney: As at 19 February 2016, Steam Tram 103A is in excellent condition as it has been fully restored. Trailer Car 93B has also in good condition as it has been fully restored Trailer car 72 is in poor condition and was stabilised to save roof, sub-frame and other salvables Currently car 72 is being restored at Valley Heights. As at 16 March 2016, The Steam Tram Rolling Stock Collection
480-808: The aim of preserving the depot to provide historical, educational and recreational facilities and opportunities for the benefit of the Blue Mountains community and visitor to the region. Following the destruction of the Parramatta Park Tramway by fire in June 1993, the Valley Heights Steam Tramway was established in 1997 by the Stream Tram and Railway Preservation (Co-Op) Society Limited and its remaining assets were also transferred to Valley Heights. In 2007/08,
512-468: The development of public street transport. The steam-generated vacuum brake system in the 93B carriage, which is in working condition, was a 19th-century development which was associated almost exclusively with steam trams in government service. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. This moveable heritage collection of three examples of steam tram rolling stock held at Valley Heights
544-418: The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Valley Heights Steam Tram Rolling Stock was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 October 2016 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. This collection of steam tram rolling stock is of state historical significance as
576-410: The late nineteenth century and demonstrate the design and craft expertise of their Sydney manufacturers, Hudson Brothers and Henry Vale & Co. Successive local modifications demonstrated by these cars enhanced the efficiency and safety aspect of the local product over the imported originals (e.g. safety gate mechanism 1906 and redesigned controls from two to one person operation, 1906. The place has
608-519: The longest distance in NSW, but also had the envious distinction of having to operate over the longest continual and most steeply graded mainline in Australia. The 33 kilometre section from Valley Heights to Katoomba rises 670 metres, with a ruling gradient of 1 in 33. During the steam era, the depot had a continual allotment of eight freight and two passenger engines. During the peak of the steam era, an average of 30 trains during any 24-hour period required banking from Valley Heights to Katoomba. The line
640-414: The more powerful 85 class locomotives were introduced in 1979. The demise was accelerated with the introduction of the 86 class locomotives in early 1983. From the mid-1980s, the number of trains requiring banking from Valley Heights had been reduced to a handful each day, the number of locomotives required for this duty being reduced to three, sometimes as few as two being necessary. In October 1988, it
672-692: The museum during this event, which received extensive coverage on local and state media. The museum's collection of railway locomotives, carriages, wagons and other railway equipment includes: The museum publishes historical and technical details of exhibits on its website. Railway museum A railway museum is a museum that explores the history of all aspects of rail related transportation, including: locomotives ( steam , diesel , and electric ), railway cars , trams , and railway signalling equipment. They may also operate historic equipment on museum grounds. Valley Heights Steam Tram Rolling Stock Valley Heights Steam Tram Rolling Stock
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#1732793063624704-410: The museum built a new work shed constructed near ash disposal tunnel, former amenities building (refreshment room and visitor centre) repaired and refurbished, ongoing work in roundhouse, chargeman's office (museum) repaired and refurbished, ash disposal tunnel cleaned and restored, amenities (toilets) were repaired and refurbished. Together with the Valley Heights railway station , the locomotive depot
736-1001: The new steam trams were speedy, economical and reliable, they also had environmental impacts, causing high levels of dust, noise and smoke in the city street. Steam trams of the type represented in this collection of moveable heritage were particular to NSW. Steam tramways featured in Sydney and immediate suburbs (1879-1907), together with the Parramatta - Castle Hill (1902-1923/26), Manly - Brookvale (1903-1911), Arncliffe - Bexley (1909-1926), Cronulla - Sutherland (1909-1932), Kogarah - Sans Souci (1887-1937), Ashfield - Mortlake (1891-1901-1912). Systems also evolved in Newcastle and suburbs, Maitland (1909-1926). Plans were drawn up for systems in Wollongong and Lismore but did not eventuate. Postal services were improved, including
768-420: The only operational collection of steam tram engine and carriages in NSW and are among the last remaining representatives of this type of rolling stock in NSW. The collection is of state social significance to the many enthusiasts of historic train technology and historic steam technology. Riding on these steam tram trailer cars provides a live sensory experience today of what street transport was like for people of
800-501: The provision of mobile post boxes on some trams. The expression "Shooting through like a Bondi tram," referred to the express mail services using the steam tram to Bondi Beach . On the Newcastle and Sutherland lines, a hearse car was attached on occasion to enable interments at Sandgate and Woronora cemeteries. The steam tram systems in Sydney and Newcastle formed the foundation of the electric tram systems that succeeded them in
832-426: The restoration and maintenance of this collection and regularly make it accessible to the public. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Valley Heights Steam Tram Rolling Stock is of research significance at a state level because it demonstrates construction methods of joinery and fitting from an early stage in
864-467: The steam tram service gave greater scope for distance travel within better time frames. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The collection is of state aesthetic and technical significance as a rare showcase of steam tram rolling stock technology, both imported and locally manufactured. Trailer cars 72 and 93B were designed and manufactured in NSW in
896-411: The twentieth century. In other centres they were succeeded by bus transport. In its heyday in the 1920s the NSW steam tramway network was the biggest in Australia and the second largest system in the world. It was an important element in the development of public street transport in NSW. The moveable heritage collection of three examples of steam tram rolling stock held at Valley Heights is managed by
928-497: Was electrified to Valley Heights in October 1956. In February 1957, steam operations from Valley Heights were replaced by the 46 class electric locomotives. The depot in latter years was an electric locomotive and freight wagon repair workshop, the electric engines receiving everything from minor repairs to complete overhauls at the depot. A variety of freight wagons were also repaired. The demise of Valley Heights depot began when
960-733: Was announced the depot would close. One electric locomotive remained available for any bank work necessary, until the last week of January 1989, when 4627 had the distinction operating the last train to be banked from Valley Heights to Katoomba. Milestones included: In 1994, the Blue Mountains Division of the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (now Transport Heritage NSW ) established the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Railway Museum, with
992-599: Was completed. The depot was available for service from December 1913, but was not officially opened until 31 January 1914. With the duplication and regrading of the line, the heavy grades below Valley Heights were eliminated, the ruling gradient from Penrith to Valley Heights being 1 in 60. The depot at Valley Heights consisted of a locomotive yard, a 10 bay roundhouse , 18.3-metre (60 ft) turntable , an elevated coal stage , and water tanks and columns. It provided bank engines for trains travelling to Katoomba and beyond. The engines at Valley Heights not only banked over
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1024-469: Was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The depot is considered "of state significance as an important locomotive depot, and the principal service and maintenance facility for bank engines working over the Main Western line between Sydney and Lithgow for almost 80 years". Valley Heights Steam Tram Rolling Stock displayed and operated at the museum is also listed on
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