Tramway Historical Society

Type

Double Deck horse tram/steam tram trailer

In Storage

Race Day Special - when all the old Double Decker trailers were brought out to help carry the race day loads. No 64 is the back trailer, and has 8 windows per side. The one in front of it is a slightly different model with only 7 windows per side (similar to no 84). Photo: Graeme Stewart.

Date Built

1879, by John Stephenson and Company, New York?

Written Off

1950

Acquired by THS

1967?

From

Honeywell, 8 Earl St, Opawa

Restored

In storage awaiting restoration.

This is the oldest vehicle in the Society's fleet, one of the first 9 Double Decker trams imported by the Canterbury Tramway Company.

All subsequent trailers were built locally in Christchurch to a similar design.

Built as a horse tram, it was also used for Steam Tram operation which commended in March 1880.

It was taken over by the Christchurch Tramway Board in 1905, renumbered as number 64, and had air brakes fitted to allow it to be used as a trailer behind the electric trams.

In later years of operation, the double decker trams were seldom used - only being brought out on special occasions when passanger numbers were expected to be high - such as Raceway Specials, Rugby matches and such like.