H class Adelaide tram

H class

H class in Victoria Square in May 2005
Manufacturer A Pengelly & Sons
Built at Edwardstown
Constructed 1929
Number built 30
Number in service 0
Formation singles or pairs
Fleet numbers 351-380
Capacity 64
Operator(s) TransAdelaide
Specifications
Traction system 4 x 48 traction motors
Power supply 600 V DC overhead wire
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

The H class traims were the mainstay of Adelaide’s Glenelg Tram line from 1929 until 2006 when replaced by Bombardier Flexity Classic trams.

Overview

Interior of 367 in 2010

The 30 H class were built locally by A Pengelley and Sons in 1929 to operate the newly converted Glenelg Tram line which opened on 14 December 1929.

They have many of the characteristics of American interurban streetcars of that period and their heritage ambience has been carefully maintained. Although the H-class trams have been through several refurbishment programmes over the years (incorporating more up-to-date features like safety glass, fluorescent lighting and upgraded bogies), they still retain varnished wood and etched glass interiors, a classic tuscan red and cream exterior colour scheme and neither heating nor air-conditioning in the passenger saloons.

The H-class regularly ran as double sets at busier times. All services were operated by a crew of driver and conductor (driver and two conductors on coupled sets).

They were also used on the Henley North line from 1935 and though to Kensington Gardens after these lines were through routed in 1952. Between 1952 and 1956 all were repainted silver and carnation red, before being returned to tuscan red in 1971. In 1986, the trolley poles were replaced with pantographs.

Most of the H-class trams were replaced during 2006 by new Bombardier Flexity Classic trams. However, five H-class (351, 367, 370, 374 and 380) were refurbished in 2000, with the intention of retaining these cars for special weekend and holiday operations and are due to be fitted with vigilance control plus electromagnetic track brakes. In 2012, 351 was restored in Tuscan red by Bluebird Rail at Islington Railway Workshops briefly operating weekend services in August 2013,[1][2] followed in 2013 by 352 in silver.

References

  1. ↑ Adelaide’s heritage H class trams ABC News 4 August 2013
  2. ↑ H type trams won’t be brought back into service despite successful trial The Australian 15 February 2014
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