Hobart's Trams. Hero To Zero.

Which was the first city in Australia to have a fully electric tram network up and running? One would probably guess Melbourne or perhaps Sydney. It was actually Hobart, the capital of the island state Tasmania, Australia.
In this video let's look the tale of how Hobart at one time led public transport in Australia - with the first ever fully complete electric tramway - but today has lost its trams and trolley buses and even its passenger rail.
PS: Videos on this channel are not meant to be 100% accurate historical records. Having said this, we try to ensure they are factually correct by using multiple sources from what we think are credible books, websites, blogs and articles. But we do make mistakes....

[@metricstormtrooper]

I livevin Hobart, we'll never have light rail again even though we have a rail corridor going right through the nortern suburbs. The people who decided to buy the tram systems from Siemens have far more intestinal fortitude than either the labor or liberal governments. If it doesnt drive on rubber tyres they don't care. I can recommend the book "Hobart Tram Trilogy" for anyone interested in our tram system. Thanks for the excellent video, you got all the weird names correct except you fell at Mellefont street and glenorchy. PS After the tram lines were ripped out, lots of line was used in houses as beams. During renovations we took two lengths of track out of our house and donated them to the rail and tram museum, I thought they'd have some already but ours are the only two bits of tram line they have, those shown near the Hobart tram at the museum.

[@Gmplolol]

Funny he pronounced Glenorchy correct the first two times only to mess it up on the third go. Also mispronounciation of Mellifont seemed to just be from a typo reading the script as Mellifort is a completely different word

[@T-MANONE]

I lived in a house when I was at uni, and all the beams holding up the floor on one side of the house were all old tram lines.

[@wombatcarey8628]

@@Gmplolol Plus he pronounced Lenah Valley as Leena Valley when it is, despite the spelling, Lenna Valley

[@rsinclair6560]

Yes my house in Rosney was supported on tram rail.

[@Tsass0]

Time for Hobert to think of updating its transport fleet again

[@smitajky]

What is so silly is that these trams were all electric without the problems of batteries, charging and lithium scarcity. Without the difficulties of recycling and without destroying our cites by the parking of cars when not in use. Today we are moving a little bit in the same direction but it will be decades before we discover that our "solution" to traffic problems may have been implemented a century and a half early but then abandoned out of stupidity.

[@sigma_799]

yes because every city wants overhead power lines. battery powered evs are as useful as grid powered evs

[@xr6lad]

@@sigma_799battery trams are chyte trams.

[@sigma_799]

@@xr6lad im not talking about battery trams im talking about a hybrid fleet both battery/fuel / grid

[@michaelmountain7055]

too right

[@michaelhansson8123]

Exactly and we have free electricity theoretically 😊

[@albertoftasmania]

God, I wish we still had it.

[@knocknapeasta]

Me too!!

[@Void_And_Absent]

Very interesting, good job. You Spoke clearly and slowly making it easy to follow.

[@errol2605]

my dad remembers the trams when he was growing up in hobart. I'm honestly a little jealous of him, because one of the highlights of visiting melbourne for me is being able to simply hop on a tram and go places! my family used to live quite close to some of those lines, come to think of it, especially the proctor's road route. I must check some of our old family albums (since quite a few members of my family have been avid photographers, including working professionally for the mercury) to see if they captured any of it... hobart really needs another form of public transport in the modern day, and so does launnie. speaking of launnie, when I was doing research on the railways (which man we really need to bring back passenger rail!) I found a few pictures on the unc living histories archive of trams and was able to match up photos to where they are now, which was pretty cool. what's also pretty cool is how the tram museum has been able to use the surviving track at the now museums at the former launceston railway station and workshops, even as it's being taken over by the university, and runs a short loop.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the memories. Great to hear. yes been keen to get to see Launceston and made a video on it one day. Did visit the tram museum there once but was long ago and phones didn't have 4K cameras in them in those days :) so didn't get any film of it.

[@RGC198]

Hi Marty, thanks for sharing another excellent video. Hobart had a rather unique tram system, using bow collectors rather than trolley poles. Also, they had double deck trams, which you mentioned. When visiting Hobart back in early 2004, we took bus trips following some of the former tram routes. We took bus trips to Springfield and Glenorchy and at the time my kids played a game of Simpson's Road Rage on portable devices while in Springfield for a few minutes while we were there. We also saw some remains of the old suburban train line from a bus passing the area. One thing that I did notice with my other "radio" interest was that due to the FM transmitters being all on Mount Wellington, which is in line of sight view to many parts of Hobart, the FM band was constantly full of audio images caused by the local station signals being so strong. Anyway, all the very best from Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks Rob for sharing your memories. Yes another leading innovation on Hobart's trams. I read that the bow collectors were unique at the time (apparently inspired by USA trolley cars). And thanks for the info on the radio - really interesting..I like radio as well.. my first full time job was working for a radio station (although it was an AM one when FM already existed.. so we were not a cool one at the time :) so like you fascinated by radio signals and stations.. especially AM signals on a clear night when I could just hear distant city stations here in Sydney..

[@class8007]

I live in Hobart and am infuriated at how there has been zero, and at times negative effort by the government at bringing back the rail transport that the northern suburbs needs

[@knocknapeasta]

Me too :(

[@CastorRabbit]

Clearly a case of servicing the wrong kind of public

[@AussieZeKieL]

unfortunately Buses are just much more economical when the population density in Australia is so low. The 'Big Australia' vision and high immigration will fix that in the future though. You'll have to wait for the Population of Tasmania to double though.

[@CastorRabbit]

@@AussieZeKieL In functional cities, the train line goes in first then density builds up around it. Otherwise it just sprawls out. It was the original design for Tasmania too.

[@helline9]

Hobart (and Tasmania at large) desperately needs to bring back its trams, trains and ferries. it has a awful congestion problem for a city so small, as well as low employment and stagnant economy, all of which would be greatly improved by bringing back these much loved services.

[@albertoftasmania]

I agree!

[@rsinclair6560]

If you ever introduced trams again. The track should run along the curve not in the middle. Therefore can stop to pick up and alight passengers without disrupting the traffic flow. Car parking??? Good question .

[@d0nnyr0n]

Man, I wish we still had trams and trains. I love trains, and I only got to see freight trains into Hobart for a few years as a kid until they stopped running them down here. I feel as if trams would help with a lot of the traffic congestion, but with the current state of politics I doubt we'll ever get any rail stuff again. Every decision that's been made while I've been alive has just seemed to increase traffic congestion and make it harder to get into/through the city. I'm gonna love seeing the traffic after they build that big stadium!

[@brucewilliams8714]

I really enjoyed this. I hadn't realised that Hobart had trams, let alone it being first in the southern hemisphere. On my first visit to Hobart I saw the trolley buses, and experienced a 1960s Hobart closed down weekend!

[@backtracks.channel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonathanmonkey128]

Great video. i was in Tasmania at the start of the year and was very interested in the former trams. The Tasmanian Transport Museum has lots to see. The Launceston Tramway Museum is excellent and definitely worth a visit.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the info!

[@bringbackcommonsense528]

Great bit of history thank you.

[@backtracks.channel]

Appreciate it. It takes a lot of time to make these. It's fun for me, but I also want to ensure as many people know and appreciate the history of our public transport.. so if you have any feedback on how we could improve them, or what future topics you'd be interested in.. please reply. And no worries if nothing... thanks.

[@Rheilffordd]

Great video!! I’ve always been fascinated by Hobart’s relatively small but hilly network and this video does absolute justice to illustrating that, so well done! Get in touch if you ever come to Adelaide looking for tram remnants here, can show you around!

[@bigm383]

Thanks for another excellent video. Hobart is our favourite city and we’d move there tomorrow given different family circumstances. We’ve visited twice this year drove up Proctors Rd, as well as savouring some beverages at Cascades. They’re bloody big hills for electric trams to climb and I get the impression that they never used counterweights on the steepest parts. It’s a travesty that the trams and railways were removed. Hobart to Launceston would be a great passenger trip. Angus Thornet is a Tasmanian KZbinr who has done plenty of videos on Tasmanian trams and trains . Glad you enjoyed Hobart. Merry Christmas!

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for watching. Ha. Yes agree there’s some big hills when I was there I was imagining a modern light rail vehicle trying to get up these gradients. No chance!

[@rsinclair6560]

​@@backtracks.channelGreat work. There are some very good filming of Hobart trams but not on KZbin. Launceston also had trams. So tram track and loop in 1990 existed up the dead end street into Mowbray race course. If the Government(s) turned the old Hobart Railway yard into a park. That railway line that was still in situ in 1997 over Victoria and Constitution Dock Bridge around the corner to the rail yard (Regatta Pount) which has always been a bit ordinary. could have made a nice tram or occasional steam shuttle to the park. In Hobart on the Western shore, there is not alot of public access, open space recreational areas down to the water. Old rail yards and Regatta Point could be made an annex of the botanical gardens. I am impressed to a certain extent with what they have developed with Pentridge gaol in Melbourne.

[@Miquel-ew1nw]

Danke für Dein interessantes Video. Als kleine Erinnerung bleibt wohl nur ein Modell des Triebwagens. Gruß aus Süden von Deutschland.

[@RPGCrash]

god Hobart needs this back

[@tongtong168]

Bravo bravo. What a simple but beautiful and informative documentary about Hobart tram and train history. It is absolutely ashame to see ALL of the trams and public transport especially trains are all closed because of the car....😥 You can see how not visionary people are back in the days. The invention of the car brings a lot of conveniences but also brings a lot of problems that now most people regeret. On a side note on EV cars, am I the only one that not on the EV bandwagon as I dont believe the so called environmental benefits of the EV even though it does have its benefits but when it comes to electricity and the amount of batteries you have to produce, I am just not convinced.

[@PeterYoung357]

Very interesting video thanks. I see they ran on narrow gauge like the railway. Are you going to cover Launceston as well?

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks. Yes, they used a narrow 3 ft 6 in gauge - like the railway. I guess they selected a narrow gauge because it is more suited to hilly / curvy environments (and generally cheaper). yes be good to do Launceston on day.. just need to get an excuse to visit there. :)

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Very enjoyable love learning more about Tasmania 😊 Merry Christmas to you and your family and all the best for 2024🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Cheers🍺🍻🍺🍻 KC Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺🤝🇦🇺👍✌😎

[@backtracks.channel]

Same to you! Thanks for watching. See you with more videos in 2024.

[@samueljonis434]

I think it is pronounced Glen-or-ki, not or-chi. But happy to be corrected on this.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks Yes that was a bit of a tricky one for me to say -.. i watched some real estate videos to check I was saying it right before I did the video.. and yes Glen Or Ki is what I thought they were saying.. and I was trying to say it like that as well.. I say it a few times I think so must have mucked it up once or twice. thanks for watching! cheers.

[@knocknapeasta]

Locals say it more like Gle-Nor-key :D

[@leakmasters270]

Very professional video. Well done.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thank you very much!

[@wombatcarey8628]

Interesting aside; in 1993, to celebrate the centenary of the tram system, double decker tram body 96 belonging to the Tasmanian Transport Museum was, for a month, on display in the Elizabeth St Mall. You can find a pic on the TTMS website. Of course it had to have security guards on it at night so it wasn't vandalised by the scrotes.

[@betula2137]

Thank you for covering Hobart/nipaluna!!!

[@robertcoleman4861]

Thanks Marty, Thank god the politicians in Melbourne kept there's in place, Merry xmas cheers Bob.🎅🎄🍺🍾🍷🚊

[@rsinclair6560]

Nope ....nothing to with God or politicians keeping Melbourne trams...it was trade unions.

[@hollydavid69]

Bring em back !

[@homebrandrules]

thankyou

[@April2058]

Hobart needs to plan for a high capacity LRT network to future proof the capital from inevitable growth and to create transit oriented developments to prevent urban sprawl and establish low cost housing for the many people who may wish to migrate here. Greater Hobart will reach 400,000 by 2050. I have been working on a scenario for some years for an LRT network for Hobart. This could involve a direct link to the Northern Suburbs with a TBM bored underground network of tunneling from Hobart directly to Moonah - involving 4.8 km of TBM tunneling. Underground Station nodes at Hobart (bus mall), CDB Nth, Nth Hobart and New Town Plaza before surfacing to Moonah. Phase One should be grade separated and could involve a network of approx 10 km going northwards to Glenorchy. Some elevated structure to cross Elwick Rd and in the south of Hobart Stn at grade wire free alignments to both Regatta Pt via Macquarie Pt Stadium and Battery Pt - Hampden Rd. Phase Two would involve the line out to Claremont with a potential branch to MONA and an addition to the UTAS site which will soon house thousands of people in town houses. Eventually the line can be extented to Bridgewater and Brighton aswell as an Airport Line once a new Tasman Bridge is possibly built by 2050.

[@backtracks.channel]

Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. Great to see that drawn up into a map.

[@rsinclair6560]

​@@backtracks.channelI like people being passionate about public rail transportation however I don't think Hobart will have the population to justify the cost. In Melbourne a few years ago 800 new cars were being registed.

[@kyleforrest7597]

Hobart has had its heyday

[@backtracks.channel]

Yes, thanks. can agree in terms of public transport.. but more broadly. I can't comment :)

[@samartz]

interesting history, cheers!

[@swimminlane3566]

What about the convict powred trams?

[@kurootsuki3326]

i love it here

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks.. this is a hobby for me.. so love that you are enjoying it... trams are great eh!

[@lachee3055]

Tasmanian government is notoriously trainphobic

[@rsinclair6560]

Not really, Tasmania nearly list the whole State system when Pacific National pulled the pin. The feasibility study said by keeping and modernising the rail system it would save $90 million each year upgrading repairing modifying, improving roads due to trucks. So after 34 years the Tasmanian Government take back ownership and continues to subsidise it.

[@rsinclair6560]

You may be interested in a documentary called; 'TAKEN FOR A RIDE', by Matha Olsen and Jim Klein 1996. Explains why the street car companies in the U.S. were bought by 'The General'.....GM General Motors.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks I’ll check that out. That sounds like a really interesting documentary cheers.

[@froggy0162]

And yet we are told the priority is a sportball arena so we can watch bogans chase each other around a lawn… Australia is a depressingly stupid place sometimes.

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for watching. Agree sometimes priority for spending doesn't seem to align with the greatest and broadest need in society.

[@sharpenednoodles]

And now we're left with a worse than average bus system that feels like it's under staffed, a useless weekend service and always seems to be running late if at all

[@jonathancox2907]

Damm the goverments for all this.hobart will never see trams again.thats for sure.what could have been,but same old excuse cars and buses are better.what a joke.great video,by the way.

[@fredbrown9037]

The maps you show of the tram routes are confusing because it also shows current roads, railways and even tunnels. Given the short time that you show the maps, it is hard to understand the routes you are talking about. I know it might be hard to find a map without these modern items, but it is nonetheless a low point in your videos

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes am trying to get a balance of making the lines clear but also showing where they would have gone if they still existed today. And yes hard to find maps of the time that I have permission to use in these videos.

[@neilforbes416]

0:29 Newcastle *DOES NOT* have a tram network. There is but one track, running a paltry 2.7Km from Pacific Park(wrongly named "Newcastle Beach) to the gross eyesore on the western side of Stewart Avenue as you cross the tracks into Wickham, the suburb *blighted* by this monstrosity. Topping this fetid cake off is the putrid, rotten cherry that is these *dinky-toy* trams that don't even have a proper power source. No overhead power cable supported by catenaries, just a stupid capacitor which has to be fully recharged at every stop along the ridiculously short route.

[@granttaylor7392]

Bloody hell, I bet you're fun at parties...

[@CockatooTransit]

well i mean it used to... would one not also mention the g-link or canberra light rail as a network?

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks. Enjoy the comments. Funnily enough.. the hardest part of making these videos is thinking of an 'interesting' opening to them.. something that gets people interested to keep watching and learning more about our tram history.. but also I need to keep the opening 'short'.. so yes could have used different terms for each of the different cities - and agree a network is not what you'd call the single line systems.. but hope you enjoyed the rest of the video all the same..

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks Neil, for this and your previous comments.. and actually thanks to you I watched a few local Hobart youtube videos to ensure I got the pronunciation of the Hobart suburbs and streets correct.. I would have made a few mistakes otherwise (like the Croud-ace one in the Newcastle video). Cheers!

[@neilforbes416]

@@backtracks.channel Yes. It's a shame Hobart eventually cut out *all* their rail-based commuter transport.

[@pickledturnip-weseeu]

Mona's wall of carn'ts is a bit rugged.

[@michaelhansson8123]

Hey electricity here in Tas is sustainable bring on the electric buses 😅

[@graemescobie1623]

Glenorchy is not pronounced Glen-orgee 10:12

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the correction. yes that is one thing I like to get right. In making this video I actually watched real estate agents videos of them selling properties in Glenorchy to try and get it right... I did say it a few times, so sorry if I got it wrong.

[@graemescobie1623]

Try Len-a valley not Leena

[@backtracks.channel]

Thanks for the correction - as above re Glenorchy . yes that is one thing I like to get right. In making this video I actually watched real estate agents videos of them selling properties in Leena to try and get it right... My Sydney accent has got in the way.