What remains of Perth's tram network?

The Perth tram network ran from 1899 until 1958 and included an expansive system that reached all corners of the metropolitan area. In this video, I set out and document all that remains decades later. This video includes remains in South Perth (the ferry tram), Mount Lawley, Victoria Park, Perth, Yanchep National Park and, of course, the Perth Electric Tramway Society in Whiteman Park.
Website: www.brendansodyssey.com
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Check out my other channel which is all about retro gaming!
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[@bigfella3243]

I’ve learned more in the last week by watching your videos than living 47 years in the city

[@Auxodium]

Lived under a literal rock then sadly...

[@Arachouette]

Volunteer from PETS here, I must say great video! It was awesome to see how many bits of Perth's tramway history are still scattered around the metro area. One small correction though, Perth 66 isn't under restoration but is already fully restored and is in our operating fleet. We mainly run Melbourne trams as 66 is not wheelchair accessible, so we normally only run her on occasions where we can run 2 trams. And when it comes to wondering around outside the carbarns, it's a bit iffy. I believe we would prefer if you didn't due to safety concerns, but i highly doubt any volunteers would yell at you haha. And if you would ever like to learn more about what we do, feel free to come down to the carbarns on a Wednesday or Thursday morning between 7:00am and 11:00am, we would love to be able to show you around the crabarns!

[@brendansodyssey]

Awesome to hear!

[@Funkteon]

Melbourne keeping its trams running and expanding upon them was and continues to be a stroke of genius typical of a primarily Labor Party-run state... WA Labor Party Premier Albert Hawke (yes, Bob's uncle) had his doubts as to the logic of disbanding the tram lines after seeing how integral they had become in Melbourne, but the will of the people and the businesses servicing them at the time took precedence... In hindsight, it was a big mistake, and Perth became an American-style, car-dependant hellhole in the decades that followed.

[@CaptainKremmen]

@@Funkteon Sounds like this was written by someone who hasn't experienced the massive mess caused by accessible tram stops that have been installed at an astronomical cost over recent years and still won't be finished for many years more.

[@nickislade5533]

@@CaptainKremmenthat sounds like a typical liberal thing sell everything off and pray it works out

[@mitzee8621]

@@Funkteon Having been to Melbourne and living in Perth I much prefer the layout in Perth. But to each their own I guess.

[@qyl8]

Stumbled upon your channel by chance. Please keep making these videos! It's about time we get more content on Perth's past.

[@darrinkinney2268]

Kalamunda has an airbnb where you can stay in an old tram. Its fantastic. Don't remember the specific history of it, but again super cool.

[@Eloisenicole]

“Hopping on a bus wishing it was a tram” as a fellow Perth person, I feel that! I work at the Transport Museum in Whiteman Park and your videos have been so great to watch! The trams and trains running are also dependent on total fire bans during the summer. I also used to live close to the electrical pole in Mount Lawley and never noticed it, I’ll be sure to keep my eyes peeled next time!

[@Clancymullett]

As a Perth resident and history nerd, I loved your video! It’s crazy that i’ve walked and driven past these poles and remnants of the network a billion times and never noticed them.

[@henreh99]

Such a shame Perth doesn’t have its trams anymore. How good would it be to have easy hop on/off transport around the inner suburbs! Hopefully one day we’ll see a return?

[@marshallsoftley8953]

My old man is a project manager, the company he was working for done an underground pipeline project in freo and dug up some remains of the tram rails that were buried over many years ago.

[@johnnydev9318]

Don't remember too much about trams in Perth, but certainly rode often as a kid on "trolley buses" - no road-level tracks, but overhead electric power connected by booms, not unlike current day electric trains. At the corner of Beaufort & Wellington Sts, the booms sometimes came loose and crashed down on the roof of the bus. The driver had to get out and grab a big pole-mounted tool to reattach to the power lines ! 😊😊😊

[@WazzaOz]

Very well done.. whilst too young (LOL) to have ridden a tram, I do remember riding a trolley bus with my Nana, probably 55 years ago.

[@brendansodyssey]

Nice. I plan to do a video on the trolley buses, too.

[@suewalsh4216]

Omg yes! From Scarborough Beach Rd in Mount Hawthorne to the city to go to a movie. Metro Theatre, then lunch upstairs at Coles. Such happy childhood memories 💓

[@bruceeckersley957]

Interesting video. I remember catching a tram in Perth, as a toddler, with my father. Another fond memory of public transport travel around Perth, as a kid, is the trolley buses in the first half of the 1960's. You should do another video about those.

[@DogDooWinner]

Never been to Australia. I'm a person who enjoys history of things most people don't think about. Excellent video. I enjoyed learning about this.

[@stephengunnell5048]

Apparently I rode on a Perth tram several months before I was born but I can't say I remember the trip. I haven't checked recently but a number of buildings around central Perth intersections still had the anchor fittings to suspend power cables well into the 2000s. The plaque on Main street does commemorate the terminus which was in the centre of Main street just short of Royal/Hutton streets. There also used to be some photographs on display in Mount Hawthorn of the construction of the tram tracks in that location.Possibly in the clinic / day surgery at the intersection of Oxford street and Scarborough Beach road.

[@indiathylane2158]

Apparently track remnants lasted for a long time in front of the barracks arch.

[@SueFury]

@@indiathylane2158 If you are referring to Trams, they never went along St Georges Terrace and trolley buses didn't go that far up the Terrace.

[@indiathylane2158]

@@SueFury Yes, I meant trams. Damn, I'm so tired of urban myths. People claim anything. Thanks.

[@asteamyaffair9993]

Thanks for uploading this doco. Next time you're in South Perth drive up Angelo Street from the Zoo end. The bitumen is still sinking where the decaying sleepers create ruts. Yes several attempts have been made over the decades - they fill the ruts and patch the surface without actually digging out what remains of the sleepers. So, like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it never ends.

[@behramcooper3691]

Very well made and narrated documentary on Perth trams. Kudos.

[@giovannimorrisone483]

Great work, Brendan. This certainly brings back many fond memories of my childhood in Floreat (Floreat Park, as it was in my young days). Trams were fascinating things for small boys who loved anything with wheels, especially if they were on rails!

[@TransportofPerth]

Tram 66 at the tramway society is fully functioning but only comes out a few times a year on special occasions, keeping it in good shape. The trackless tram project has been cancelled for the present as the state government did not provide funding to the City of Stirling after the trials in November. It was already exported back to China in December.

[@brendansodyssey]

Yes, the society themselves commented below that it's running. Apparently, the website is out of date and can not be edited. It's a shame to hear about the trackless tram. Can you provide a source? I can't find anything about it being cancelled. There's videos of people riding the trials in December, and that's the latest I can find.

[@TransportofPerth]

@@brendansodyssey I'm also a member of the society volunteering for conducting and driving. The last time we had 66 out was over the Easter long weekend when two trams were running the whole time. Honestly I can't see any mentions of the trackless tram project after the November public trials, but I think that's exactly what points at the fact that it's been forgotten. The whole thing was just a fancy idea from the City of Stirling's mayor and they could never fund it themselves as a local government. They used the trials to seek for state government funding but none was provided, so they couldn't really move on. The vehicle has not been at the City of Stirling site since December and it was physically sighted being loaded back onto a ship so for now nothing can really happen with that. There are still other plans from METRONET though surrounding mid-tier transport as you can see on their website, so I believe one day we will still get something other than buses on our roads.

[@STORMIETR00PER]

@@brendansodyssey I'm not so good with going back and searching but around the time of the trial weekend I recall there were articles in the West/Sunday times mentioning that the Trial had been organised by Stirling without seeking any commitment from the government beforehand, and they were basically saying it's not in City of Stirlings area of responsibility and they should say in their own lane, if Perth was going to have it, it would because Transperth thought it best. (obviously all paraphrased from memory) I was one of the people that went on the trial, (5yo son was very excited seeing it in the council carpark before the tests) , and I don't see how it would offer any improvement over the current bus route, would involve hideous expense in setting up the charging infrastructure, and importing the cars - the tram was battery powered and grabbed a small recharge at each stop wirelessly. plus the proposed route doesnt presently have enough space for the existing dual lane road in each direction which already operates over capacity for significant portions of the day, so running the tram down there means either a) reduced car capacity on an already over saturated arterial road b) the tram sits in traffic with the cars, kinda defeating the point or c) pedestrian access is reduced or land is forcibly acquired along the route, cant imagine a govt pushing this through for a tram.

[@theaussiewhinger]

Didn't even know there was a trackless tram trial in Perth. Clearly I've been living in a cave. 😂

[@TinshipTravels]

I've been trying to find out where the trackless tram ended up for the past few months, thanks for providing some insight.

[@karamia1392]

As a fellow Perthie I really enjoyed this. Bravo!!

[@richardgray115]

I was desperately watching closely to see if you missed the one at the Albion Hotel. I've eaten a meal in it was pretty unique experience. Possibly the best video ever Brendan well done!😊

[@craigfranklin2385]

There is one in a cafe in bassendean too at the shopping centre

[@SupermegaCar.]

Loving your videos. Keep up the great work. Being Perth born, watching these are so cool. We’ve traveled to Pemberton a couple of times and there are many abandoned railway lines down there if you’ve not already filmed.

[@chrisprindiville9993]

Love your vids, mate. As a fellow local history nut from Perth, this is right up my alley. Keep up the great work!

[@mikecawthorn7806]

Great to see ppl making these videos and taking an interest on what once was. Trams were an evolutionary solution to the need of the day, in an era that has long gone they fell out of use as ppl preferred the independence of what time and route to location they travelled.

[@BarrieHarmsworth]

I know it's called Perth trams however there was a network in Fremantle. My grandparents Corgi dog got run over by the one that went out to East Fremantle. I used that tram to go and see them. The best recollection of the tram was when East Fremantle used to play against South Fremantle. A blood bath that would be fought to the last man standing. Fremantle was full of waterside workers (lumpers) and a strong Irish area from descendants of convicts in Fremantle jail (I am one of them). There were special trains put on to bring the spectators in to Fremantle station where they would pack the trams going out to the Oval. It was amazing. Full of men usually drunk even at mid day singing songs and chanting words I didn't understand. Check out the Freo trams next time, A lot of history.

[@dielaughing73]

Do you know if the tram went to South Beach? My parents told me it used to be a very busy spot with a Fun Fair on the lawn area

[@BarrieHarmsworth]

@@dielaughing73 yes it did and it was. all gone.

[@roslyndrayton6716]

What a Great insight about the trams in Perth. Thank you, Brendan.

[@judedavidson5453]

I grew up in Melbourne, catching trams since the 80s. i still remember the smell of them and the ticket master poking holes in my ticket 🎟 but I have lived in Perth now for the last 15 years. And it would have been awesome with trams. Great work 👏

[@indiathylane2158]

Favourite sounds in Melbourne- trams on tram tracks or cars bumping over tram tracks. I arrive in Brunswick once a year, walk to Sydney Road, and hear those magic sounds. AAahhh! Sunday Mail used to sell old pics of Perth, including tram photos.

[@basillah7650]

bus network wa worked on was better than having trams due to being more rural and having less funding to have expanded tram network like eastern states since eastern states took most of the money from the other states which lead them to being less developed.

[@annamariapiotrowicz511]

i lived in mebourn in 1985/86 i was 7 years young fun times i have seen trams/trians but no buses on the roads just cars i walked to school with my bother no fun i never got a chance to go on tram ride in melbourn come to perth public transport change in a blink of my eyes from trams to buses/taxis

[@stephmoran8116]

Great video! My great grandfather was a tram driver in Perth throughout the 40s and 50s

[@margaretgomer8782]

It’s such a shame we have lost so much of our history.I am new to your site so I am very much enjoying all the memories. Thank you 🙏

[@SandroPuca-jc8vg]

Great history lesson, and could only imagine what Perth would have look like if we still had the trams. The tram pole in Vic Park in front of my cafe Social Manna lead in to a great history for the premise its self…. Like a Miss Florence Cook who had a refreshment parlour on that very corner, who would greet patrons off the the tram with chilled refreshments… As I was restoring the floor boards I found all these vintage bottle tops and also some of her takings ( coins ) from the 1900-1935 era… All proudly on display in the cafe….. to honour her we make our own soda pops.

[@Uprising71]

Oh my god. I have driven past that Vic Park bus stop thousands of times. How did I never realise it was related to the tram network. Good on ya mate, keep this stuff coming

[@SteveDunnDMON]

Loving your work!

[@sirmrpresident]

I was not aware of the plans for the trackless tram, very exciting

[@jimmycreatesvideos]

Awesome videos showing Perth's history. I only moved here nearly 5 years ago, so watching your videos has gotten me hooked on the history of the city! Keep em coming!

[@willtrainvideos]

The Trams shown at 6:20 & 13:45 are Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) W2 Class Trams. There is also a third W2 in Perth numbered 429 which is at the Gosnells Hotel. The Trams you filmed at PETS are SW5.729 & SW5.749 which arrived in Perth in early March from Newport in Melbourne.

[@Funkteon]

Melbourne keeping its trams running and expanding upon them was and continues to be a stroke of genius typical of a primarily Labor Party-run state... WA Labor Party Premier Albert Hawke (yes, Bob's uncle) had his doubts as to the logic of disbanding the tram lines after seeing how integral they had become in Melbourne, but the will of the people and the businesses servicing them at the time took precedence... In hindsight, it was a big mistake, and Perth became an American-style, car-dependant hellhole in the decades that followed.

[@shawnaayy]

Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and making these videos. They really do show that people want to know the history of Perth. I can see from the lack of signs on streets and potential lack of awareness that we really do need to do a better job to celebrate where Perth has been and come from. These videos have been making me excited to explore the areas that I regularly peruse. Can’t wait to watch more of your vids!

[@weirdunclebob]

Such good content, dude. I've lived in Perth since 1971 and love nerding out on historical stuff like this. Not sure if you're aware but there's also a full tram inside Ogdens in South Perth, maybe the rest of the one that you showed in the vid? Thanks to this video, I'll be visiting the Ferry Tram and the Historical Society building next to it in the next few weeks. I've passed there countless times and not even noticed the tram before. The things ya miss if you're concentrating on other stuff, eh? Speaking of which, I've passed that pole in Mt Lawley (where I lived for 20 years) hundreds of times without noticing it. I even contemplated buying a unit in the block on the corner right behind it last year and spent a few hours looking at photos and the street view of the place.😂I'll make a special trip to see it in RL soon possibly even on the way to pick up another awesome pizza from Zambelli's, my favourite pizza shop ever! (A heads-up for plant-based eaters, there are eight vegan pizzas on the menu there including the 'Not a Big Mac' which tastes exactly like I remember Big Macs tasting) That all said, I've never noticed any real difference between riding trams or buses so I'm not really fazed by the lack of them. Busses and CATs seem to work fine for me. 🤷‍♂

[@ThemusMaximus]

Thank you Brendan. Please continue being an outstanding part of the local community.

[@StJesus]

Stumbled across your videos and now I’m hooked - love learning about our city and history. Plus! My team and I made and installed the windows/doors at the south perth display, so that was a bonus to see haha

[@CraigOswald-ju2yz]

Great Video. About 20 Trams were take to Mandurah and were placed at Beams Caravan Park on the foreshore as accommodation. Our family would rent these every Easter in the mid to late 70s and early 80s before the caravan park made way for the Kings Carnival which is so to close down. These trams had bunk beds, kitchen and dinning area in them.

[@winddreamer1]

Great video mate! This came up on my recommended and I'd never seen your channel before. I'm right into history and live in Perth so I'll definitely be subscribing and checking out your other videos!

[@behramcooper3691]

Very well made and narrated documentary. Kudos.

[@brucewalker2202]

Thanks

[@lordbountifulitsme7919]

Absolutely love this footage ❤

[@grahamriddle9512]

Stumbled across this video this morning on my feed. Really appreciate your work, an entertaining combination of research and wit! Great content for this Perth resident and public transport fan. Subscribed. Keep it up. 👍🏼

[@franny231123DMT]

I really dig ur lack of bias. refreshing on such topics . cheers Brendan

[@joanfreestone1707]

I really enjoy watching glimpses of Perth from years ago. I'm old enough to remember a lot of the shops. It's a trip down "memory lane".

[@paulford8651]

I live in the Perth suburbs and didnt know Perth had a tram system, fascinating!.

[@BigBlueMan118]

I believe it was comfortably the smallest of all the capitals except maybe Hobart, but there were some lines that would be very handy to still have if they hadn't closed the system.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Loving the comtent on your channel. So many things I would not have known about.

[@spiritwings8559]

Im so glad ive come across your channel, im loving the videos of WA and learning about some of the history i was unaware of. Thanks

[@psycotropy]

Thank you, this a very informative video and really enjoyed it . Makes me want to dig through the old mans photo collection for all the Tram pictures he lovingly collected

[@mattvjmeasures]

Great upload. As a Wembley resident, and often in and around Subiaco, West Perth, South Perth etc, many of these are familiar sites to me. The history of Perth, dnd Perth trams is fascinating. Really enjoyed your documentary. Thanks.

[@charliemyres5450]

I once saw a tram, converted to a room, in a garden in Hopetoun. Very interesting movie - well done!

[@Miclantechupi]

Excellent, informative content. Thank you.

[@Babett_B]

Excellent job on researching and presenting! Glad I found your channel :)

[@minxythemerciless]

3 or 4 years ago there were major roadworks on Cambridge St to dig up the old tram lines that had previously been just buried. This was also the same line that trolley buses ran to Floreat. Cambridge St and Stirling highway still have the odd steel power pole used to power the trams.

[@tdb7992]

This is the first time I've been recommended your channel - great to see things about my hometown. I've seen copies of that tram map for sale at the Map & Chart shop in Fremantle (for any nerds, that shop is an Aladdin's cave of awesome stuff). Tearing up trams around the world was one of the greatest crimes against cities. If only we'd kept ours in Perth. I think the tram you found in South Perth was attached to a train/tram themed restaurant in Kelmscott - it was the type of place where you cooked your own steak. The name started with a G - I'll have to ask my brother and see if he remembers. I'm 38 but have a few memories of playing on the tram as a kid. I used to live on Cambridge street (only left a bit over a year ago, I was right beside SJoG) and those roadworks went on right outside my window. It took them forever to tear up those tram tracks.

[@brendansodyssey]

Interesting. I wonder what the restaurant was called. Thanks for the comment.

[@RobGras]

@@brendansodyssey Hi Brendan it's actually in the Gosnell's Hotel so yes he was pretty close. Being born in 61 I obviously don't remember the trams but I do remember the MTT trolley buses which must have replaced some of the tram routes, oh great video! Rob.

[@asherjackson4504]

Great video. Love your interest and humour.

[@MrGaZZaDaG]

love these videos, please keep them coming bro

[@59Marcel]

fantastic research, well done and thank you.

[@Laurajanehahn]

I enjoyed this. There's two trams on display at the motor museum in whiteman park aswell. One that you can walk inside. The other of memory was used in Kalgoorlie. Nice to learn a bit more about my home town of Perth 😊

[@MrCombfoot]

Hey man, nice videos. I'm a south westerner and these videos give me feel goods, I've been to most of the places you make content on. I'm a mid-thirtier, and my dad worked for CALM for many decades so whenever I go out for day trips he will point out abandoned mills and old railway lines and remnants of mines, so i really love this sort of content. Shame you probably missed the boat on Atlantis before what was left was demolished a few years ago. I went exploring there a couple years ago with a camera and a drone and it was really good, sadly now its all gone except the big man himself. Keep up the good work

[@brendansodyssey]

Thankfully I did get to explore it several years ago before most of it was razed. I only I have mobile phone photos to show for it, though. Maybe I could still throw something together in memoriam?

[@MrCombfoot]

@@brendansodyssey I think there's some historical video/photos around that you can supplement with, some side-by-side shots of the era vs ruins. Probably could make something, though it was before our times so it would be second hand experience of what it was like. + it was closed somewhat for animal cruelty I believe, so who know how it would go down 'remembering it fondly'. I also just had photos as I explored, and some drone video loops of the statue. Disappointingly I didn't think to drone over the whole site at the time. Felt the echo of the place when I was exploring it though.

[@Slavicplayer251]

got my subscription, you’re good at presenting this history

[@JTLSQUAD2]

Great video, I loved that you really took your time to research and I think it payed off. If you ever need some inspiration during WW2 there were Catalina flying boats in Matilda bay or even the old swan river ferry system could be some ideas for the future. Keep up the great videos!

[@tonyppe]

Well done on a good job on the video. I live in South Perth where your video started. I'm actually from UK and we used to have a large painting re-print on our wall from historic trams in the local area where I used to live in UK. I also saw the Croydon trams being built in a sense of laying the rails and overhead cables and theyre still running today. Maybe trams will make a comeback in the future :)

[@mccarthyp64]

Went camping in the Gloucester House pool a few weeks ago and saw that tram, nice to know more about the whole story.

[@Holgast]

Wow, I completely forgot that you used to be able to open the windows on the buses. I also love that old video source of Perth in the 40s going down where the Brass Monkey is (or is that Guildford?) I'll definitely have a look at the full video. My commute takes me past that bus stop on Albany Hwy in front of the Maccas. I had seen the tram wheels on the bench many times and assumed it was an art project, never noticed the plaque as I don't walk along there.

[@TheMidlifeIntrovert]

I’m 42 and from Perth. I’ve just finished watching this video and the one about the Perth Entertainment Centre. It’s interesting to watch these glimpses back in time. Some crossover to my history as a child and a teen, and some don’t, but great to see you filling in the gaps. I hope you do a lot more of these videos. I’ve just finished exploring the old Atlantis site at Two Rocks and I am fascinated by similar lost history and seeing echos from our past….. Keep up the good work!

[@brendansodyssey]

I explored the Atlantis site several years ago and wish I took more than mobile phone photos. A lot of it has been razed for development since.

[@TheMidlifeIntrovert]

@@brendansodyssey just watched your video about the abandoned Mundijong rail line. I started driving out to Pinjarra for work every once in a while and I did wonder about that fenced off rail line…. Don’t ever stop exploring….

[@australien6611]

I remember going to Atlantis when it was open 😎 a little ahead of its time and was quite remote at the time. No freeway in those days

[@Liam_219]

I really love this kinda stuff, searching the city for remnants of the way it used to be and how its changed. Also "trackless trams" as a concept are funny to me cause they're just fancy looking buses. That's all

[@jayehum5019]

This was great. Thank you! My parents grew up in Mt Lawley and often talked about catching a tram into the city. I live in Bicton, and have often had elderly locals referring to a tramline which ran from Fremantle to Bicton Baths. I was wondering if you had come across this.

[@dielaughing73]

That's interesting, my mum grew up in East Freo and told me she used to take the tram down Marmion St to Freo. She was born in 1935

[@merv190]

Good stuff, thanks for your videos. 👍 There’s a tram at the Crooked Carrot Cafe on the Forrest Hwy on the way to Bunbury.

[@jaybee2216]

I think that’s a Melbourne team.

[@MissSeedy]

These vids are fantastic! Look forward to more 😊

[@Leopard_Lover]

Dude this is amazing!!! So much research!! Loved the joke about the driver lol ❤

[@MrSteamDragon]

Nice one 👍🏻… methinks a trip to Whiteman Park might be in my not too distant future 😎

[@RGC198]

Hi Brendan, thanks for sharing this excellent video. Just of interest there were also separate electric tram systems operating in Fremantle and even Kalgoorlie. I actually knew a friend who rode the last tram service in Perth. I actually grew up in Sydney and experienced the demise of the original Sydney tram system. Anyway, wishing all the very best. Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[@brendansodyssey]

Thanks. The original plan was to include the Freo network in this video but I stuffed up the footage - there was a big smear on the lens! Instead, it will get a dedicated video. I also have family in Kal so there is potential for that to get its own video too.

[@zaryarya]

I work at most 100m away from the corner of Hay St and Hill st, never noticed that lamppost in all the days I went past the mint on my way to work. Pretty nice find!

[@kingcoong]

Hey mate. I love this video. One thing I'd like to point out about the trackless tram though. The trial or the idea of the trackless tram was not from the state government or Transperth, but more so from council of City of Stirling. We may not hear any noteworthy news about light rail until Metronet has finished up the majority of their ongoing projects.

[@Ayenstreasurehunting]

Another great video, full of well researched information. I'll now be keeping my eyes open when travelling around the city to see if I can spot the remnants of a bygone era 👍

[@raelenesharp-rc2zw]

I remember catching the trolley bus from the old Perth market in Wellington street to Royal Perth Hospital and then walking up the steep Lord street to Mercedes college, although it was still called Our Ladies College in 1966. I was just turning six and had caught the bus into the city from a northern suburb. It cost three pence and then five cents when decimal currency came in soon after. I can’t imagine letting a six year old go into the city alone or even with a teenage chaperone now!

[@isaacwinton]

Bro, sick videos. Surely you do a look back at that epic water park that used to be out near the airport. I forget what it's called but that place was heaven for 6 year old me. So many fond memories.

[@karlkomley9004]

Excellent presentation!!

[@Leopard_Lover]

My mum also said to tell you that you did a fantastic job ❤

[@sirtra]

I love all the old footage, Perth being Perth it's rare to see historical footage, especially on youtube! There is a tram (or at least i think it's a tram) in the playground area at the crooked carrot on the south west hwy midway to bunbury. Good place to stop for a bite and stretch the legs if travelling down south etc.

[@braxtonvu]

Hi Brendan, nice work and really good content. Perhaps you could take a look at the Bunbury Rail Bridge that used to carry the Armadale line over the swan river. Would love to see it, and keep up the great work

[@Auxodium]

That bridge has been removed in 1995 to make way for the new concrete one. There might be remnants there.

[@tankmaverick99]

Fun fact: I am watching this video while on a tram! (Sydney light rail)

[@missybee5725]

Brilliant info. Thank you

[@stuartbutcher7980]

Is there still a tram inside Ogden's Hotel in Boswell's on the corner of Albany Highway and Fremantle Road? It used to be inside in the dining area and you could eat your meal seated inside it. Haven't been there for years so not sure if it's still there. Great video. I have several early 1900's Perth CBD Postcards with trams and the infrastructure network visible.

[@dunadan57]

I think you mean Gosnells. It's now called the Gosnells Hotel, it still had the tram last I checked. Still mentioned on the website.

[@Atleysprogram]

Great video bro. very interesting. Ive walked past them poles heaps too and never noticed them. Ill have to have a look. I live in baysie , our new traino is awesome.

[@vkturbo7676]

Having the tram at the train station is awesome

[@johnherring4863]

Great video, a number of perths trams were also made into a tourist park in central mandurah forshore on the southern bank, which operated in the 1960s. our fami;y used to spend school vacations there living in the old trams.

[@nathanmjking]

8:47 Love the casual driveby from a Lambo followed by a Bentley. Went tram hunting, saw $1 million+ worth of cars instead. xD

[@brendansodyssey]

Ha yeah. Decided to film the b-roll shot for a bit longer when i saw them coming

[@Heinous_Anus]

Love the video man, there's also a tram in the basendean dome.

[@glennpettersson9002]

Not strictly Tram related but in the late 60's as a young child I remember getting on an electric bus that was powered via a pantograph. This was down the eastern end of the esplanade on the river side of the Police HQ. I am wondering if this was utilising the old Tram infrastructure. Thanks for sharing, great video 😃

[@ScottLindores]

The pole closer to Adelaide Tce that you couldn’t find is still there… It’s on Hill St between Hay St and Adelaide Tce, next to the tennis court. It also has a plaque on the sidewalk.

[@Nunyabiz71]

Don't forget the first tram in WA.Leonora to Gwalia. There is so much history in WA and it is great to see you reliving what we used to have

[@kennedysan1045]

Wow, that is really interesting. The sons of Gwalia mine, that was part owned by Herbert Hoover?

[@Fronzel.Neekburm]

There is also a wooden cutout marker tram at the start of the causeway bridge on vic park side. You can see it on google maps street view. Follow the construction fence for the new walkway down to the river. Its red with black ends and a white roof. Been there forever. Great vid, good to see someone getting interested in this states history. Its not all bad.

[@managerialelitetoaster3456]

I live in Perth and I never knew. Thanks for the video!

[@billjackson4703]

There is a tram that one can dine in, its part of the Dome restaurant/cafe, at Bassendean shopping centre.

[@brendansodyssey]

I lived in Basso for several years. While still cool, it's a train carriage.

[@annamariapiotrowicz511]

happy 2024 i forget that there was a tram on top of bassendean shoping centre not sure what it was used for im not sure if its still here for any one to see/use there is one on gealford train station still on its tracks used fo cooking/eating out something like a small restauant/cafe

[@fotoautomatmusic]

and Alfreds kitchen in guildford you can sit in a tram or train carriage too, and weat the best damn burgers and pea and ham soup in Perth.

[@michaelboyce7079]

When the trams were de-commissioned, the owners of a caravan park in Mandurah bought some of them and turned them into holiday homes. They were pretty basic though, with old ice boxes, not fridges in them and very little else.

[@Tanzadog1]

Excellent video Brendan, you've gained a new subscriber

[@trig1900]

I actually did get to ride a couple of trams when they were still in operation in 1957/58. For some reason, I still pretty vividly remember going up Wellington St between Barrack and Milligan Sts. Probably because dad was taking me for my first real haircut at a barber shop. I was only four at the time. What I also remember was the big controversy surrounding the cessation of the trams. There were two distinct camps of thought on that issue at the time and Perth residents were pretty divided on the issue. Mainly it was the government of the day pushing for replacement of the trams with buses. The suggestion in some quarters was that vested interests were influencing the debate. Meantime, all the trams had been stored in a depot on the Perth side of the Swan river near the causeway and the WACA [West Australian Cricket Association] grounds. Public sentiment was in favour of bringing them back - the tracks were still in place and the hardware was still there; why go to the expense of buying a whole new bus fleet? Which is when fate played a hand; one night a fire started in the depot and destroyed all the rolling stock. Some thought it curious at the time that the fire had 6 different ignition points... So, the bus fleet was bought and history moved on. Meantime, the trolley buses were still running, which I regularly caught, riding between Barrack St in Perth and Broun Ave in Bedford, travelling the length of Beaufort St in the process. In turn, controversy sprang up about them also. They were accused of being 'too quiet'; this was 'supported' by several incidents where people had stepped out from between cars and gotten hit by the trolley bus because they 'didn't hear it coming'; using eyesight and good road sense aside. There were also incidents with businesses trying to move large objects through the suburbs and having to arrange for the electric lines to be lifted whenever they had to cross a road where the trolleys ran. Again, it would seem vested interests prevailed and the trolley buses were finally ceased in 1969.

[@danielg7634]

Awesome video mate