Parramatta had two historic steam tramways, the Parramatta to Duck River tramway and the Parramatta to Castle Hill tramway.
The Parramatta to Duck River tramway.
Charles Jeanneret was a local developer, builder, Parliamentarian and steamboat owner from the early 1860s. In the 1870s he amalgamated two steam companies which he named the Parramatta and River Steamer Company. Over time his company began losing money due to the growth of the railways, and so he created a plan where an inexpensive steam tramway service would deliver passengers to his wharf, from where his steamers would then quickly transport passengers to Sydney. After Jeanneret gained the necessary approval from the New South Wales Parliament and Parramatta City Council he started this private tramway in Parramatta which was the first private tramway in New South Wales.
As a result of this approval from October 1883 to March 1943, a tramway travelled from the Parramatta Park entrance on George Street to the wharf at Redbank Wharf where the Duck River meets the Parramatta River.
On Tuesday the 2 October 1883 The Sydney Morning Herald reported that:
“The Parramatta tramway, running from the park gate in George Street, Parramatta, to Duck River, where the steamers from Sydney now land their passengers, was opened for passenger traffic yesterday. The opening of the line had been delayed by some additional work, which was considered by Mr. G. Morell, the superintending engineer, to be necessary for the improvement of the ballasting on that part or the line leading from the outskirts of the town to Duck River, and by the construction of a loop line at the park gate, to allow the tram motor being reversed. Even now the arrangements for carrying on the traffic in the efficient manner for which the proprietor has made provision are not complete. The loop line for the carrying out of shunting operations at the park end of the line is not quite ready, and there is something to be done to the waiting-rooms before they can be made as comfortable as is desirable for the public. But within a fortnight everything, it is expected, will be in a complete state, and it is intended that when everything is quite ready an official opening shall take place. The train line is about three miles in length, and is laid down from the park gates along George-street to the termination of that street, and then on through the tract of land known as Elizabeth Farm Estate to the junction of the Parramatta River with the Duck River. The line is laid in two sections — one from the park gates to the end of George-street is a mile in length, and on this the rails are laid in a manner similar to the plan adopted in Sydney, with the exception that instead of the rails resting on a layer of concrete the width of the line, they are placed upon a longitudinal bed of concrete 18 by 6 inches. The road is then filled in as usual with ballast and tarred metal and screenings, which give it a firm and compact appearance. The second section of the line is símilar in construction to a light railway. The rails weigh 42lbs. to the yard, the gradients are easy, and the ballasting is of the ordinary description, and apparently well laid. Vignolie's steel rails are the rails used on the line and they are laid upon ordinary hardwood sleepers, 18 x4. Along the street section a check rail has been placed in order to form a groove for the wheels of the motor and tramcar to travel in. The rolling stock is not yet complete. The motor in use is one of Kittson's of Leeds, and differs from the motors in use on the Sydney tramways in not having any eccentrics or link motion and in being of a lighter description. In other respects, however, it is the same type of engine. It is called a noiseless and smokeless motor; but it is not noiseless, though the noise it makes is very little, and it is smokeless only because coke is burnt in its furnace, and coke produces little or no smoke. There is an improved arrangement with regard to the steam, which is condensed to heat the water to supply the boiler. Two cars were in use yesterday, and they were from the works of Mr. Thomas Wearne, and similar in appearance to the cars used in Sydney; but it is Mr. Jeanneret's intention to have cars fitted up with cushions, and in other ways made comfortable, so that, passengers shall travel as pleasantly as they may in the cabin of a steamer.”
The tramline began at the George Street Gatehouse entrance, then moved along George Street towards the Queen’s Wharf, then along Noller Parade, past Silas Sheather’s Camellia Grove Nursery and along Grand Avenue to Redbank Wharf where the passengers would then board a ferry. The distance was 2 miles 16 chains and the journey took approximately 17 minutes. Many industries grew on Grand Avenue as a result of the tramway including Hardies, Wunderlich and Goodyear. Meggits Linseed Oil Company used the tramway to transport its goods to the wharf.
Sydney Ferries Limited took over the tramway and ferry service in 1900 following Charles Jeanneret’s death in 1898, but the Parramatta River ferry services to Sydney was discontinued in 1928 due to heavy losses.
Sydney Ferries Limited made the announcement in February 1928 stating that:
“The company is reluctantly compelled to take this action by the very heavy loss incurred in conducting the service. This loss has become heavier since the inauguration of motor bus services, and with the growing use of privately owned cars on the reconditioned road through Gladesville and Drummoyne.”
After the ferry service was discontinued the tramline’s primary function was carrying freight until its closure in March 1943 when Redbank Wharf was requisitioned by the army to support Australia during World War Two.
The Parramatta to Castle Hill tramway
With the opening of the railway from Sydney to Parramatta in 1855, orchardists from the Hills area, which was a significant fruit growing area, petitioned heavily for transport connections to the rest of Sydney in order to be able to sell and distribute their produce to Sydney markets. In place of an extremely expensive railway line a less expensive tramline was created connecting the Hills district to the Parramatta Railway Station and the wider Sydney region. Disused trams from the inner city trams system were used in the creation of this tramway.
The Public Works Department began construction of this government owned tramway in 1901, and on the 18 August 1902 the first tram left Parramatta Station for its Baulkham Hills destination.
The Parramatta to Castle Hill tramway started at Parramatta Station, proceeded to Argyle Street, then turned to the right under the railway into Church Street. It then crossed an existing private tramway at George Street, crossed Lennox Bridge, moved past the Woollen Mills on Windsor Road (which became the now relocated Bunnings Warehouse in 2002/2003), and then proceeded along Windsor Road to Baulkham Hills.
Depots were opened on Windsor Road, first at the Baulkham Hills terminus close to the Northmead Bowling Club and later opposite the Woollen Mills.
The steam trams were built in the United States and the route measured four miles 37 chains. There were four section to Baulkham Hills, and for each section the fare was a penny. The first section was the Parramatta Post Office, the second section the Woollen Mills, the third section Model Farms Road and the fourth section Baulkham Hills.
In 1909 the tramline was extended by two miles 18 chains along Old Northern Road to terminate at Castle Hill. On the 31 July 1910 the first Parramatta to Castle Hill service began and departed every hour. In addition to passengers the trams also carried mail and parcels. In 1910 the trams also began to carry goods which helped the fruit growing industry in the Hills to grow.
This tram service was extremely popular and by early 1920s it carried over a million passengers a year to the Hills district. But as private buses became increasingly popular the tramway was increasingly being perceived as becoming redundant. In 1923 the Parramatta to Castle Hill tramway ended and was converted into a railway line to Rogan’s Hill which joined the tramline at the Woollens Mills. The last tram ran to Castle Hill in 1923 and the last tram from Castle Hill arrived at the Woollens Mills at 12:30am on January 28 1923. The last tram service to Northmead was on the 1 January 1927. This railway line closed on the 31 December 1932 due to the rising popularity and convenience of private cars.
Parramatta Park Tramway Museum
In 1955 a Tramway Museum open in Parramatta Park. Advertising for the service stated that:
“The Parramatta Park Tramway is owned and operated by the Steam Tram and Railway Preservation Co-op Society Limited. This is a community advancement organisation entirely volunteer operated. The society is dedicated to the preservation and operation of steam tram and light railway equipment, particularly familiar in the environs old Parramatta. This includes the George Street and Castle Hill tramways.
The tramway is centrally located in historic Parramatta Park. On operating days, trams depart at about 20 minute intervals. They may be boarded at either end of the line. Ample parking is available and the surrounding parklands are ideal for family or group picnics. Old Government House and other historic sites are close by.
Souvenirs and light refreshments are available on operating days.
This is your opportunity to sample the delights of early light rail transport. You will be able to:
• Travel behind an 1891 steam tram of old Sydney and Parramatta or perhaps,
• Ride a 1923 Rogan's Hill rail motor.
• Journey along with locomotive 1022.
Other items in the collection include:
• Locomotive 1308 - first locomotive into Tamworth and famous as a Yass Town tram engine. Also worked the Carlingford Line.
• Trailer car KA 778: fully restored carriage used in the late 1800's and early 1900's on the Carlingford Line and Yass tramway.
• Carriage FA 1864 which saw service in the steam days around the Parramatta area.
• Industrial locomotive ''No. 2", formerly owned by Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Similar to 0-6-0 locos once used on the Carlingford, Camden and Yass Lines.”
Parramatta Park, view of the tram with parked vehicles, circa 1960s. Source: LSP 0360
On Monday June 7 1993 a fire engulfed the Steam Tram and Railway Preservation Society's tram shed at Parramatta Park. The shed was completely gutted and most of the Museum's rolling stock was destroyed. The Loco 1308 escaped the fire.
Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, City of Parramatta, 2022
References
Parramatta Ferry. (1928, February 7). The Sun, p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224219189
The Parramatta Tram. (1883, October 2). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13555261
Tram Services. (VF 1177). Heritage Centre Research Library Vertical File Collection.