Variotram preservation.

Discussion in 'Locomotives' started by Mark Newton, Oct 12, 2018.

  1. Mark Newton

    Mark Newton Full Member

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    Early on Wednesday morning the Sydney Tramway Museum took delivery of our newest exhibit, a former Sydney Light Rail Variotram, No.2107. Built by Adtranz at Dandenong in Victoria it entered service in 1997, and was withdrawn in 2015. After 3 years of storage in a western Sydney suburb, and lengthy negotiations between Transport Heritage NSW and the STM, 2107 arrived at Loftus on the back of a massive transporter at about 0200. The delivery and unloading was without incident, and after some preparation work and the removal of the unloading ramp the car was driven into the depot under its own power.

    2107 is the first production low-floor tram to be preserved anywhere in the world. After three years of outdoor storage it needs some cosmetic work to make it presentable. The car carries vinyl overall advertising, but we removed a section and discovered the original livery is still in good condition underneath. All in all the car is in good condition, and should be back in service fairly quickly. The other six cars in the fleet have all been scrapped, but we were able to collect a large quantity of spare parts to keep 2107 going in the future.

    I finished work at 0100, so I raced home, woke my son up and then we made our way down to Loftus to help with the unloading. It was a long night, but it was worth it to be part of our tramway history. I managed to get a few photos, but they're only low-res taken with an iPad, so I apologise for their quality.

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  2. Chatty

    Chatty Full Member

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    Mark

    Great photographs.

    Always enjoy my visits to the Tramway Museum when I am in Sydney.

    I am old enough to remember riding on trams particularly out to Bondi (shooting throu
     
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  3. Mark Newton

    Mark Newton Full Member

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    I'm envious that you had that experience. I missed out by a couple of years. Next time you plan to visit the museum let me know beforehand so I can arrange to meet you there and give you the behind-the-scenes tour. Apart from the Variotram, we also now have a Sydney steam tram in the collection, which you may not have seen.

    All the best,

    Mark.

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  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    great photos Mark and very interesting thread .. er .. are they fighting over that shovel as they're both seem to be holding it:scratchchin:

    Ian vt
     
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  5. Mark Newton

    Mark Newton Full Member

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    Craig, the tall bloke on the right, owns the shovel. He's hanging on so I won't run off with it! :)

    Cheers,

    Mark.
     
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  6. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :avatar:
     
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