Historic – Only surviving example of a former Sydney cable tram body converted to an electric tram. Body shows results of modifications, alterations defects and some repairs during its nearly 30 year working life. Electric power and the trams transformed Ballarat from the horse drawn era to that of a world city in 1905, as it enabled further economic development.
Technical – shows how an older body underwent modifications to become an electric tramcar. Demonstrates the development at the time of an underframe that proved to be to light for use as electric tramcars. Diminishing the technical value is the lack of any mechanical and electrical components.
Social – one of the few reminders of the era when electricity was brought to Ballarat by ESCo, the era when electricity was privately funded and managed. Electricity enabled Ballarat residents to improve their lifestyles.
Provenance – known in detail – see Fleet Register sheet.
Rarity – one of a few conversions from cable to electric trams that survive in the world.
Representativeness –shows the light weight construction of electric tramcars in Australia at the time by Duncan & Fraser. Technology imported from the USA for later work showed that stronger underframes were needed.
Condition-Integrity – Reconstruction currently underway using as much of the original body as possible. Will be retained as a hand braked vehicle.
Interpretive Potential – at this time during the reconstruction process, can show visitors the way the vehicle was converted and how it was built. |
