Tramway Historical Society

Type

California Combination Horse Tram

As number 51 as originally build in 1887. Photo: John Stephen and Company, New York

As number 50, running at Sumner in Christchurch Tramway Board days.

No 43 running in Papanui Road to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closure of the CTB Tramways in September 1964 before the Ferrymead Tramway was established. Photographer unknown?

With iron wheels, No 43 remains a horse drawn tram. It currently resides on display in the Hall of Wheels at Ferrymead Heritage Park. Photographer unknown?

Date Built

1887

Written Off

Stored from 1950.

Acquired by THS

1963?

From

Christchurch Transport Board

Restored

Originally 1963-1964. Again in 1980's.

Built by John Stephenson and Company of New York for the Canterbury Tramway Company. The Tram was originally a single saloon one horse car and numbered 51.

It was then rebuilt by the Christchurch Tramway Company in 1897-98 and renumbered 43. It is n this form that the tram has been restored.

In the Christchurch Tramway Board era, it was number 50, but seldom used as it was not fitted with air brakes so was not allowed to be towed by the electric trams. It last ran at Sumner as a horse tram during the 1950 Canterburary Centennial.

It was the first tram to be aquired by the Society. It was restored and run as a horse tram on the last remaining exposed section of track in Papanui Road in September 1964, 10 years after the last electric trams had ceased operation.

It is currently on display in the Hall of Wheels at Ferrymead Heritage Park.