First Parramatta Tram In 30 Years

[@PatSmashYT]

>Builds light rail >Reaches 99% completion >"Light rail will not be complete for another 2 years"

[@jasonyi6394]

I love your video! Informative yet interesting and fun. Abundant footage shown to have a real feel of what's going on. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@backtracks.channel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darrenrodneysales5973]

There was a Steam Tram route from Parramatta Park Gates to Redbank Wharf (the Junction of the Parramatta River & Duck River) and also a Steam Tram operating to the Hills District.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the share. A great history of trams in Parramatta. And plus there was the Steam Tram museum line that ran in Parramatta Park right up until 1993.

[@rmoz2729]

@@backtracks.channelCorrect. That is now at Valley Heights since the fire.

[@Blessed2XS]

Much appreciated! Keep the videos coming!

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks, will do!

[@OutandAboutwithCraig]

Love your tram videos Marty. Thank you so much for your dedication and time in creating these Sydney tram history videos. Your hard work truly shines, and it’s greatly appreciated by all of us transport enthusiasts. 🚃🚋🚈🚉🚊👍

[@backtracks.channel]

Glad you like them! They are fun to make. I am learning about the history as well.

[@RGC198]

Hi Marty, thanks for another excellent video. It is great to see trams returning to Parramatta. The former steam trams in Parramatta were the last steam trams to run in Sydney NSW and closed on 31/03/1943. Years ago during the 1970's, my dad and I managed to ride the train from Clyde to Carlingford and returning on the same train, as trains were few and far between, especially on a weekend. Anyway, take care. Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[@backtracks.channel]

Glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for sharing the memories of riding the line. Yes watching some videos in researching my video I never ever saw that many people using the trains or the stations.. hopefully it's more popular as a light rail.

[@RGC198]

We used to have a friend living at Carlingford years ago and I often wondered how he handled the poorer train service times there, especially on weekends.

[@snuggles03]

what a terrible shame sydney removed their tram network all those years ago….thank goooodness Melbourne avoided that horrible decision all those years ago….it gives a city class

[@davidwicks5099]

For the love of God, connect it to Epping. Even, heaven forbid, run it past Epping and along the Epping Road median to Macquarie Uni via Epping Boys High School. This would change the whole nature of the line in a really positive way for the whole area.

[@listohan]

There is a metro from Epping to Macquarie Park with three stops including the uni.

[@davidwicks5099]

I am aware of that. Thank you

[@listohan]

@@davidwicks5099 so what would extending the light rail beyond Epping achieve?

[@FD-bw7xi]

Totally agree with this. It's a huge pain commuting from Parramatta to Epping or Macquarie Park at the moment. Extending the line would definitely add some life to all the suburbs along it.

[@seangooley8696]

I agree.

[@bruceburns1672]

Typical government in Australia doing away with trams, there is nothing that government ever does which is good for the community nothing ever, its why rents are now unaffordable, houses are unaffordable, why the roads are jammed, why electricity and gas are unaffordable, why groceries prices have gone through the roof, it couldn't be worse with no government, but hey, i forgot there is one thing they excel at , growing their own numbers in the hundreds of thousands for union numbers, and rewarding themselves with entitlements and salaries.

[@JulianSortland]

Yes, 12 years of the hard right party calling itself the Liberals, along with the useless, overtly racist Nationals, the tail which wags the dog. They really hate train drivers and the safety workers called guards.

[@peterelvery]

Nicely done Marty. The most rematkable thing about Telopea Station is that it's named after the Sydney Waratah "Telopea Speciosissima". Of more personal interest is that it was created by my great grandfather, Herbert Rumsey, and others, to coincide with subdivision of formerly market garden land for residential use, and officially opened by my grandmother.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks. That's really interesting. I wish I had now mentioned that about the Waratah. That is a nice connection back to the naming of the Waratah trains! And what a great family connection to the area. Thanks for sharing.

[@murraykitson1436]

I remember Rumsey Seeds . This sounds like a connection possibility ? PS : Thanks for your confirmation , Peter ! Evidently , this part of Sydney has a particularly rich agricultural history when you include the Granny Smith apple , the genesis of Swane's Nursery , James Ruse Agricultural College and , of course , Rumsey Seeds ! 👍

[@peterelvery]

@@murraykitson1436 Yeah. "Rumsey Seeds" was his business, years later sold to "Yates", the former business of Arthur Yates, who also had market gardens in Dundas Valley.

[@murraykitson1436]

At around about the time that the bus T-ways were being constructed , l remember hearing an announcement from the then State Opposition that , should they win office , the T-WAYS would be converted to light rail . Obviously , this did not happen , but if this were to occur in the future , the Rouse Hill T-WAY would be a logical extension of the Parramatta light rail . This would also provide a defacto rail connection between Parramatta to Castle Hill ,by way of an interchange near Bella Vista Metro station , where it , coincidentally , passes under Old Windsor Road . It may be a circuitous route , but the travel time would probably compare favorably with the present bus trip between the two destinations when time spent waiting for the bus and trip frequently are taken into account . I have used this route from Westmead Hospital to Rouse Hill Town Centre , then back to Castle Hill and it was quite enjoyable , particularly compared with driving along Old Windsor Road , which was at a virtual standstill ,as usual because of the apparent refusal to correct the attrocious traffic light coordination and timing !!! My first time on the T-WAY ! PS : Should the Parramatta Metro come to fruition , the T-WAY , in whatever form , would also effectively offer a transport link between it ( at Westmead ) and the existing Northwest Metro .

[@Dobuan75]

Great video! Really informative and enjoyable!

[@backtracks.channel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timor64]

Destruction of potential high capacity heavy rail for low capacity light rail. Terrible.

[@slapdashrecords]

When are you going to post Part 2 of the PLR line…keep up the good work

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks. Appreciate it. It will be a week or so as I just need to find the time to finish putting it together.

[@petergraves2085]

I can say something about the Telopea station. The new one is much, much more exposed to the elements than the original one. How do passengers avoid windy rain being driven from the sides ?

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes most of the stops are quite similar. The other thing I was thinking of mentioning is how nice the suburb is, but also that it is very low density living around there. Not sure how busy the stop will actually be.

[@petergraves2085]

@@backtracks.channel Thanks for noticing. I grew up in Parramatta in the 1950/60s and remember seeing the semi-exposed rails of the original tram line, as it turned around the ornate front of Parramatta Park (From O'Connell St into George Street)

[@peterdoyle3205]

Nice to see Sydney is getting back into trams. It just shows how short sighted it was in getting rid of them all those years ago. Melbourne is so far ahead of Sydney because it kept the trams and does not have to go to the expense that Sydney has to now to get a decent transport system.

[@k.vn.k]

Back then everyone wanted a car. These days, everyone is fed up with congestion and soulless stroads. Expensive lessons, but Sydney is on the right path now with more suburbs metro and light rails aside from its too centralised extensive railway.

[@smiddysmidton8313]

Rubbish Melbourne is light years behind,can't even get a train to the international airport which you you can in any major city in the World even do that in Brisbane and Perth.Melbourne debt is mammoth because it has so much to catch up on.

[@morksgrasp1111]

I hope you do Adelaide's old trams one day this year. I found your interest, interesting as well. Cheers mate.

[@backtracks.channel]

I hope so too. Adelaide's H Class trams were some of the best looking trams in the country. I just need to find an excuse to get over there to do some filming. Thanks for watching.

[@murraykitson1436]

I am concerned about the night time security of light rail travel through Parramatta Park , to Westmead . Even if the tram did not stop in the park , especially late at night , I shudder to think about what could happen due to their vulnerability ! Regarding the former Carlingford line , I had only traveled on it once , in 1978 , and regret not having one last ride . Another long abandoned line that I unfortunately missed out on using was the Dunheved / Ropes Creek route , despite asking a railway enthusiastic colleague whether the line was open to the public , in 1980 . 😢

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for sharing. Same with me, I was living in Sydney in 2020 and completely missed riding the line one last time as well.

[@joshtirado7337]

Could you possibly make a vid on the Camdem Railway line aka the Camden Tram

[@SydneyTrainsMtv]

I remember riding the Parramatta Park tram as a little kid. I believe the old rail line ran thru the park to Redbank road and onto Baulkham hills along Windsor rd.. You can see a old rail corridor on Park ave among the apartment blocks.

[@backtracks.channel]

Great memories.. I have tried to trace the Parramatta Park Tram but I can't find a map on line..

[@SydneyTrainsMtv]

@@backtracks.channel I believe the first tram ran along Macquarie st from the Parramatta Park gate house going east towards the Albion Hotel then to a dock along the Parramatta river. (Circa 1800s) It was used to ship goods, not passengers. Was it really a tram or a small gauge steam train? In regards to the Parramatta Pk tram? As you probably know it was a historical tourist thing set up in the 70s or 80s. Information and track layout of the branch heavy rail line from Westmead to the hills is available online.

[@listohan]

All this excitement-and money-and the service goes no further than it went for decades. Least of all to Epping station for connection to T9, the Central Coast line and the (also costly) metro providing 12 trains an hour services to the CBD. Epping and Carlingford are planned for an extra 30,000 dwellings by 2036 over 2016 But there is a new bike path to make the connection.

[@SydneyTrainsMtv]

Extend the light rail from Carlingford to Epping is the missing piece of the puzzle. Do you build a tunnel under Carlingford rd or buy out all the houses?

[@listohan]

@@SydneyTrainsMtv Underground is no brainer. It is what is happening everywhere else.

[@SydneyTrainsMtv]

@@listohan Im curious how far is the longest light rail tunnel in the world? Carlingford to Epping would be a few kilometres.

[@darylcheshire1618]

I’m from Melbourne and sometimes visit Paramatta by ferry. I wondered that the tram line doesn’t go anywhere close to the wharf. I visited last year and the tracks go down one of the street a couple of blocks from the wharf. Was there a line from Carmelia to Abbatoirs?

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes up until 1943 there was a tram that ran from the centre of Parramatta right to the Ferry Wharf at Duck Creek - which met the Ferries from Sydney. And yes the Sandown line branched off the Carlingford line and had three stops. This was popular when there was a lot of industry in the area, but it closed after much of that big industry also closed.

[@murraykitson1436]

The line to Homebush Abotoirs branched off the main western line , and the present Olympic Park line uses part of the former goods line , most notably one of the two bridges crossing Parramatta Road .

[@bigm383]

Thanks for another great video. Wow, nearly three billion, imagine the money that could have been saved by maintaining the old trains?

[@backtracks.channel]

Great point!

[@robertcoleman4861]

Thanks Marty but i think the Carlingford line should have been left alone how do you get from Clyde to Carlingford?🤔cheers Bob.

[@daveg2104]

Catch the train to Parramatta, and get the light rail (when it's running) or a bus. I used to live near Carlingford back in the day, and spent plenty of time at Clyde waiting for the connecting train to Carlingford/Parramatta/the City. Even then it was quicker to get the bus to Parramatta. Not too many reasons to be in Clyde these days.

[@robertcoleman4861]

@@daveg2104 Thank's daveg.😁

[@tdb7992]

I never knew there had once been a Subiaco in NSW. I live just beside Subiaco in the inner west of Perth :)

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes, and your Subiaco I believe once had a tram line as well! I am now intrigued about the origin of the name. So I just looked it up.. "A group of missionaries opened the Benedictine Monastery of New Subiaco, after Subiaco, Italy, where the Benedictines were established. Hence then the name Subiaco". Cool history!

[@murraykitson1436]

Subiaco was a vineyard at Rydalmere bordered by the Parramatta River , with a grand colonial house , built around 1836 , which was demolished in 1961 to make way for a carpark at the Rheem Hot Water plant . I recommend Googling " Subiaco Rydalmere " for further information , particularly " Architectural remnants " .

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks. Subiaco is even more interesting now. I wish KZbin videos was my full time job - so many interesting bit of history right under our noses! If / when I make a Perth tram video.. these fun facts are going into it. Thanks for sharing.

[@zjoh55]

😮Get your facts right. Lived in Parramatta from 1963 until 1989 and there were no trams there at all. So where do you get 30 years from?

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for watching video and thanks for the question. Steam trams ran in Parramatta Park (the line ran from the Dairy to near Parramatta park gates) up until 1993. They stopped because the tram museum shed burnt down. The last street running trams ended though in 1943. 80 years ago.

[@adrianjohnstone5145]

Apologies. I was focused on street running trams obviously and not on the museum operations. Thanks for clearing that up and please accept my apologies Your videos are excellent and I really enjoyed your video on Wynyards underground trams. Cheers

[@neilforbes416]

A new *TRAMWAY* in Parramatta? It'd be a heck of a lot more than 30 years since the last trams ran there!

[@neilforbes416]

Oh, you were talking about the museum. I was talking about the public tramway that was the regular commuter service.

[@backtracks.channel]

All good. Thanks, yes it’s 80 years since the final public paid passengers ran when the duck creek tramway closed. I pondered saying that but then I thought people would point out that the trams were running in Parramatta park up to 1993. Cheers.

[@KrytenSpaceToaster]

Good video mate, not really a fan of trains but love anything history, you have done well putting this together.

[@KrytenSpaceToaster]

Trains/trams

[@backtracks.channel]

Many thanks!

[@josephj6521]

Why isn’t the new tram going to Clyde? The current set-up will fail if there is no direct connection to the line into the city. The Parramatta section is a 5 min walk from the railway station and it’s the long way to the closest railway station. They’ve built this to fail from the beginning.

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes, good observation for the stations along the former Carlingford line. It does make for a very long trip to the city if you use the line to get to Parramatta then catch a train to the city. As many people have pointed out in the comments there has to eventually be a direct connection between Carlingford and Epping to make it beneficial for city commuters on this part of the line. It might be controversial to say, but perhaps instead of building stage two, they should put the money first into that connection to Epping and then start on stage two. Ideally do both.

[@martino2794]

Really interesting video

[@josephphillips9243]

Great video AGAIN! There must be very big plans afoot for those areas. They are very very low density residential. It makes sense that big unit blocks will be an upcoming council project otherwise it'll just burn money like the original train line did. Btw. Still don't know what or where Pippita is. Never found that stop. Anyone?

[@dennisforner6090]

If my memory serves me right (?)I think it was somewhere along the old Homebush abattoir & State Brickworks line where Olympic Parks is now located. Opposite Flemington railway station used to be the sale yards for cattle/sheep (coming from all around country NSW by train). That area became the Femingtom Markets in the early 70s.

[@ClamTram96]

Pippita was just before the motorway bridges on the former Homebush abbatoir now olympic park line

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes - intrigued by the question above on Pippita (it was on the timetable image I used in the video.. and to be honest didn't know where it was either). But seems we are all on the same page (I had to look up WIKIPEDIA though! The location. 33°51′32″S 151°03′42″E. Google Earth suggests not much there as remains.. one my list (which is growing longer and longer to have a look one day and see what is left). Thanks. @@ClamTram96

[@davidbraithwaite704]

Does Maitland have a tram?🤔

[@backtracks.channel]

Not today, but once did. I think it had two steam lines.

[@k.vn.k]

One day I hope to see more self sustainable modern rapid trams and light rails covering the whole Sydney and replacing the unreliable manned buses.

[@yggdrasil9039]

Needs to connect Carlingford to Epping. Stopping a few km short is ridiculous.

[@NSPlayer]

First, they should do trams along great western highway from penrith to parramatta

[@Bve542]

wy does the urbos 4 lokk like the urbos 3

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the observation. To be honest, not that expert on the tram types. But agree more and more trams - her and across the world - are all looking the same. Great for lowering costs and efficiency of production - but just not as exciting for us who like trams...

[@valetudo90]

Hey mate, do you have an email address? I'd love to see if you're keen for a chat on radio about the history of Parramatta light rail with the new services starting from today.

[@backtracks.channel]

Hi, yes contact me at [e-mail]. Cheers m

[@ChrisStrong-on5nk]

First Tram in Parramatta in 30years!!

[@mews56]

Dock double tram buses from the upper second deck like a ferry with two storey building like with Victorian two storey building’s fromthe steel awnings balconies with the bridge extending out from the buildings & tram. While cutting cost in architecture where developers refuse to spend any additional money in avoiding to build platforms or stations.As has been proven in Hong Kong & parts of Paris.

[@whatsupsydney7195]

First tram in Parra in 30? Lol you mean 60 years maybe never

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the message. Steam trams last ran in Parramatta Park 30 years ago. The line ran from "The Dairy" to near Parramatta Park gates up until 1993 when they stopped because the tram museum shed unfortunately burnt down - destroying most of the rolling stock. The last street running trams ended though in 1943. 80 years ago. Lots of great tram history in Parramatta.

[@samueljonis434]

30 years? Huh?

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes, they used to run in Parramatta Park until 1993.

[@Iwishiwasflying]

@@backtracks.channeldoubt it. Parramatta never had trams in 90 or 80s. How do I know this ? Because I lived in the general area and lived in parramatta during the early 90s

[@daveg2104]

@@Iwishiwasflying The Steam Tram & Railway Preservation Society operated a steam tram (steam tram motor 103A) in Parramatta Park. Sadly, around 9.00pm on Monday 7 June 1993, the shed housing the Society's rolling stock burnt down in what was reported as an arson attack, destroying/damaging most of the contents. Fortunately 103A was saved and restored and is currently at Valley Heights. Photos and articles are available via Google.

[@jonathancox2907]

Know how to wipe out rail history.could have saved most of the train stations.😢

[@mews56]

No they are not otherwise they would double decker like our trains

[@neilforbes416]

I do wish you'd stop calling it "light rail" and instead use the tried-and-true, time-honoured term, *TRAMWAY!* "Light rail" is such a *PRETENTIOUS BULLSHIT* term.

[@daveg2104]

Yeah, light rail is a fairly new term. The terms tram and light rail are used in different ways in different places, often interchangeably. You can also throw 'streetcar', 'trolleycar' or 'trolley' into the mix. If there is a general consensus, it is that trams are mostly street running (often mixed with traffic) and operate more like buses, with frequent stops. Light rail mostly/completely runs on segregated track, with fewer stops and higher speeds. A cheaper heavy rail.

[@peterelvery]

Except much of it isn't tramway so light rail is more accurate.

[@morksgrasp1111]

Hey Neil. This video creator got me interested in aussie trams and especially the historical value. I really enjoy his vids. Maybe the modernised light rail term isn't something to get so uptight about.

[@neilforbes416]

@@peterelvery It's *ALL* tramway. Historically trams ran in city streets as well as on specially reserved tram-only track. That's the case here. There'll be sections of specially-reserved track(repurposed Carlingford line) as well as through Parramatta's city streets. The only variance here is that the trams are new and modern instead of the old trams(such as those museum pieces).

[@neilforbes416]

@@daveg2104 "Streetcar', 'trolleycar' or 'trolley' are yank terms which should be *avoided like the plague!*

[@theragoooverlord5021]

Kicking old people out of thier homes so the chemg family can go to Chatswood and eat on public transport on the way back to their high rise unit over one of the new stations. Vandals

[@theragoooverlord5021]

Kicking old people out of thier homes so the chemg family can go to Chatswood and eat on public transport on the way back to their high rise unit over one of the station. Vandals