Adelaide Trams

Pictures of Adelaide trams.

Adelaide once had a full suburban tramway system; however the last of the conventional tram routes closed in 1959. The only electric tramway now operating in Adelaide is the interurban style line from the City to the fashionable bayside suburb of Glenelg. The Glenelg line runs for much of its route along an exclusive right of way that was once a railway route and was converted to tramway operation in 1929.

From 1929 until 2006, the Glenelg line was serviced by "H" class trams, a similar to US style interurban cars of the late 1920's. They normally operated in single units or coupled sets; however, as shown in one picture below, they were capable of operating in coupled sets of three. Many have been withdrawn from service, and most withddrawn trams are now preserved. TransAdelaide, the line's operator, has replaced the "H" class trams with articulated light rail vehicles, built by Bombardier, during 2006. A small number of "H"class trams still operate on weekends.

Adelaide "H" class tram 358, was pictured waiting to depart for Glenelg at the City terminus in Victoria Square on Sunday 10 June 2001. Compared with photos taken in earlier years (see later), subtle changes can be seen in these trams that have been refurbished at various intervals in their long service life. Note for example the pantograph, the Transadelaide logo and the improved external lighting.

An evening view of Adelaide "H" class tram 358 in Victoria Square, also on Sunday 10 June 2001.

A birdseye view of Victoria Square looking east on a rainy day, with an "H" class tram waiting to depart for Glenelg on Monday 11 June 2001. The building to the right of the Cathedral is the former City tram depot. This Depot formerly serviced the Glenelg tram line until a replacement depot was constructed at Glengowrie.

A coupled set of "H"class trams comprising 380 and 370 heads south from Victoria Square into King William Street, Adelaide bound for Glenelg on Saturday 13 November 2004.

A coupled set of "H"class trams with 357 as the rear tram was pictured at the Goodwood Road stop, bound for Glenelg on Tuesday 9 November 2004. To the right of the trams, in the background, the Goodwood flyover, where the Glenelg tram line pases over the main railway from Adelaide to Melbourne, is visible. This flyover is the only significant gradient on an otherwise quite flat line.

A coupled set of "H"class trams with 361 as the rear tram was pictured approaching the stop outside Glengowrie Depot, bound for Glenelg on Saturday 13 November 2004. The crossover is part of trackwork enabling trams to exit the Depot and head towards the City. The signal at the right controls city-bound trams across the Morphett Road boom gate controlled level crossing.

Adelaide "H" class tram 368 was photographed at the head of a 3-car set on the Glenelg line during the 50th anniversary celebrations for the opening of the line in December 1979. Note the trolleypoles and the poorer condition of the track, compared with later pictures.

"H" class tram 365 was pictured about to depart from the Brighton Road stop, Glenelg, bound for the City on Monday 11 June 2001. Due to trackworks underway, 365 was about to shunt at the crossover visible in the background, and operate wrong road past the works site.

"H" class tram 372 was pictured about to depart from the Brighton Road stop, bound for Glenelg on Monday 11 June 2001. Brighton Road is the last stop in the long tramway reservation before the Glenelg line enters Jetty Road for the final stretch of street track of approximately 1 kilometre to the Glenelg terminus.

In this busy scene, outbound coupled "H" class trams 365 and 364 on a "Special" service wait while passengers alight, while a regular service City-bound coupled set, headed by "H"351 slows down to stop at the Brighton Road stop, on Saturday 13 November 2004. Another coupled set bound for Glenelg is just visible in Jetty Road. Additional "Special" trams were placed in service on this particular day to augment the regular scheduled service to cater for people visiting Adelaide's Christmas Pageant in the City.

"H" class tram 371 was pictured at the second last stop in Jetty Road, Glenelg, on Monday 11 June 2001.

"H" class tram 372 was pictured in Jetty Road, Glenelg, bound for the City on Monday 11 June 2001.

"H" class tram 372 was pictured as the lead car in a coupled set in Jetty Road, Glenelg, bound for the City on Saturday 13th November 2004. A "Special" two car set for the Christmas Pageant additional service comprising 365 and 364 is seen following closely behind.

Adelaide "H" class tram 376 was photographed at the Glenelg terminus in December 1979. This photo was taken during 50th anniversary celebrations for the opening of the line between the City and Glenelg. Note the trolleypoles and anniversary emblem on the tram's apron. Also note the different layout of the Glenelg tram terminus at that time.

The sun just peeked out for this picture of "H" class tram 364 at the Glenelg terminus in Jetty Road, as it waited to depart for the City on Monday 11 June 2001.

Another view of "H" class tram 364 at the Glenelg terminus in Jetty Road, as it waited to depart for the City on Monday 11 June 2001. The waters of the St Vincent Gulf are visible at the right of the picture, with a ship just visible in the distance.

"H" class tram 367 is about to depart the Glenelg terminus on a "Special" service for the Christmas Pageant, while a coupled set headed by "H"361 waits to depart for the City from the northern terminal track on Saturday 13 November 2004.