Image right: Coronation Parade (formerly Punchbowl Road) and Liverpool Road, Enfield showing a Mortlake steam-powered 'O' class tram c.1900. Courtesy State Library of NSW
Can you recognise the location of this steam tram from the early 1900s? Although the district has changed dramatically, it is somehow still possible to identify this as the corner of Coronation Parade (formerly Punchbowl Road) and Liverpool Road, Enfield. Steam-powered trams ran from Enfield to Ashfield between 1891 and 1912, when the service was electrified, so the photo must date from before this. Enfield was still very sparsely settled, largely due to its previous lack of public transport. The advent of a local tram service encouraged settlement and the establishment of businesses and shops nearby on The Broadway and Liverpool Road. The no.95 tram in this photo was built by Baldwin in the USA in 1885. [1] [2]
In 1901 the tram service was expanded through Burwood and Concord to Mortlake with a branch line to Cabarita completed in 1907. A double track was added in 1915.
Coronation Parade looking south from Liverpool Road showing a Cabarita tram, c.1940s. Courtesy State Library of NSW
This photo shows the same intersection roughly 40 years later. The double tram tracks are clearly visible, as are the overhead tramway wires for electrification. The tram tracks were removed and the land incorporated into Coronation Reserve after the demise of the Enfield Tram Service on 21 August 1948.
Behind the tram heading to Cabarita Junction you can just see the former Enfield Town Hall (built in 1930) and part of the Enfield War Memorial (unveiled in 1924), next to a service station. On the left of the photo a few shops can be seen with the spire of St Thomas’ Church in the distance. A lady crosses the intersection and a lone cyclist approaches Liverpool Road, but no cars are visible on either main road, except for a couple parked near the service station.
Burwood district steam trams, c.1900. Courtesy State Library of NSW
Steam trams were first introduced to Sydney in 1879 as temporary transport for the International Exhibition held in the Botanic Gardens. Just four Baldwin tram motors, made in Philadelphia, USA, were brought to Sydney to convey visitors between Redfern and the Botanic Gardens. However the service was so popular that it was retained and extended to Randwick in 1880. You can read all about Sydney’s steam trams in The Era of the Steam Tramway by Ken McCarthy at: https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/members.old/Trolley_Wire/145%20-%20Trolley%20Wire%20-%20Apr%201973.pdf
Burwood tram disaster, 11 November 1907. Courtesy State Library of NSW
A terrible accident occurred at Concord just after noon on 11 November 1907, when the boiler of engine no.82 exploded as it was passing no.25 on the Stanley Street loop near Concord Public School. Tragically both tram drivers, John McCulloch and Albert Murdoch Barclay were killed, with both trams destroyed. Several other people, including conductors and passengers, were also injured.[3] [4] Questions of safety were asked of the Premier, Joseph Carruthers in Parliament.[5] Five steam motors were then in regular use at Enfield.
Stay tuned for more transport stories in the Ironbark Gallery’s exhibition Next Stop, Strathfield: Travel Through History from 15 October.
You are invited to join us for the official opening at 6pm on Thursday 15 October in Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Sydney steam tram motor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_steam_tram_motor
[2] Baldwin Locomotive Works https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Locomotive_Works
[3] Sydney Morning Herald 22 November 1907 p.7 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14884635
[4] The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 13 November 1907 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/86155041
[5] Sydney Morning Herald 14 November 1907 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14904250