Tram No. 12

No. 12 at the BTM Depot prior to reconstruction - 19/8/1995 - Photo Warren Doubleday.

For a detailed article on the history of this tram and many other photographs, see the August 2018 issue of Fares Please! commencing on page 11.

Built in 1892 by Benjamin Carne as saloon cable car trailer number 18 for the New South Wales Government Tramways, North Sydney line. One of 12 similar trailers purchased by the Electric Supply Company of Victoria Ltd in 1905. Rebuilt as an electric single-truck California combination car by Duncan and Fraser Ltd. Converted to one-man operation in 1913. Withdrawn by 1935 and became a home extension. Retrieved in 1990 when the home and land were purchased in connection with constructional works for the Ballarat Bypass freeway. This car is currently under reconstruction to operating condition as one of the original Ballarat electric tramcars. The body is largely complete as at 2019. Consideration being given as to the mechanical and electrical equipment to be fitted to the tram.

No. 12 after fitting windscreens outside the depot c1912. Photo BTM Collection.

Frame being rebuilt - 1997. Photo Warren Doubleday.

Interior Photograph of No. 12 - 23/1/2017 - Photo Warren Doubleday.

The outside of the body on 20/1/2019 - Photo Warren Doubleday.

Technical Details - As built.

Type	Single truck, straight sill, open combination.
Truck (bogie)	Brill 21E
Wheel size	33" nominally (840mm)
Length	28'4" (8.65m)
Width	7'3" (2.10m)
Height	TBA
Wheelbase	6' (1.84m)
Approx Mass	10 tons (10.1 tonnes)
Motors	Westinghouse 205

History

1905	Delivered to Electricity Supply Co of Victoria by Duncan and Fraser as Ballarat tram No. 12. Saloon portion built from North Sydney cable tram No. 18, which was built by Benjamin Carne (Sydney) in 1891. The conversion work was done in Ballarat.
1913	Windscreens added to each end and converted to enable one-man-operation.
1934	Ballarat tramway system formally taken over by the SEC.
1935	Sold by SEC to a local landowner and used as a house extension.
1990	Property acquired by VicRoads, body given to BTPS and transported to depot.
1994	Reconstruction commenced.
2019	Reconstruction of the body nearly complete. Consideration being given to the Mechanical and Electrical equipment to be fitted.

Heritage Significance

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.

Provenance – known in general detail.

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.

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.

Interpretive Potential – at this time during the reconstruction process, can show visitors the way the vehicle was converted and how it was built.

Conservation Plan: - Reconstruct body to the appearance prior to the fitting of windscreens. Electrical and Mechanical Equipment yet to be finalised.

Museum Status: - Under reconstruction. Body is virtually complete.

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Ballarat Tramway Museum Inc. - PO Box 632 Ballarat Vic 3353 Australia - info@btm.org.au - phone +61 3 5334 1580. A0031819K