9 Apr 2009: Brisbane: Forty years since the trams went silent ?

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 April 2009

Brisbane:  Forty years since the trams went silent ?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport has highlighted the fact that on the 13th April 2009 it will be the 40th anniversary of the end of trams in Brisbane.  The last Council tram ran on the 13th April 1969 (1).  Some of Brisbane's trams are preserved at the Brisbane Tramway Museum at Ferny Grove  (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane trams were consigned to oblivion in 1969, on the highly questionable basis of a pro-freeway car transport non-solution.  Herein lies the root cause of the present transport problems in Brisbane."

"In Brisbane during 1944-45 trams carried around 160 million passengers.  In the final year of operation there were 68 million passengers.  Today, an under-resourced rail system, and an overloaded and inadequate bus system struggle to meet the considerable public transport demands.  Clearly sustainable light rail and proper resourcing and expansion of the heavy rail network is needed to gain the sustainable mass transit capacity that is needed now and in the future."

"The rest of the world is moving ahead with sustainable modern light rail and efficient metro rail transport solutions.  Transport in Brisbane is still transfixed on a failing transport paradigm.  Bus rapid transport has reached it's limit.  Time to move forwards with systems that will gain the capacity that will work."

References:

1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Brisbane
2.  http://www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/

Robert Dow
Administration RAIL Back On Track
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Some interesting links:

Historical Photo Gallery at the Brisbane Tramway Museum

Map of Brisbane Tramways at Trams DownUnder

Trams DownUnder

Light Rail Wikipedia

Light Rail Success Stories

Dublin Light Rail Project Ireland

ACT Light Rail

Houston Rail Transit

Light Rail Central

[ozbob]

http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/scan/research/lbp/lbp00108r.jpg

Title:   Tram coming off the Victoria Bridge, Brisbane, ca. 1965
Location:   Brisbane, Queensland
Date:   ca. 1965
Description:   
Dropcentre tram is filled with passengers going towards the city. A policeman is directing traffic in front of the tram. Construction equipment can be seen in the background.

Copyright John Oxley Library

[ozbob]

http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/neg/research/060000/60696r.jpg

Title:   Tram at Rocklea, Brisbane, 1941
Location:   Rocklea, Brisbane, Queensland
Date:   30 September, 1941
Contributor:   Queensland Newspapers
Description:   
Electric tram with a destination sign of Ascot in its window. Rocklea Munitions factory is visible in the background.

This image is free of copyright restrictions.

[ozbob]

http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/dao/research/6668-0001/6668-0001-0012r.jpg

Title:   Facade of McWhirters' department store in Fortitude Valley
Location:   Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland
Date:   ca. 1960
Creator:   Woolley, A.
Description:   

In 1955 McWhirters was purchased by Myer, a Melbourne-based department store chain, which continued to operate the former McWhirters complex as a department store until 1988. The Art deco corner was a landmark in the Valley.

Copyright John Oxley Library

[ozbob]

http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/scan/research/lbp/lbp00004r.jpg

Title:   View along Adelaide Street from George Street with the buildings decorated for the Royal Visit, 1954
Location:   Brisbane, Queensland
Date:   9 March 1954

Description:   

Bunting and flags contribute to the exciting occasion of welcoming Queen Elizabeth to Brisbane on her first visit as Queen of Australia. The street is bustling with people and trams are lined up in the middle. Many makes of cars can be seen parked on the side of the street. Overhead tram lines are suspended between the buildings.

Image is free of copyright.

[ozbob]

Some pictures at QRIG Gallery --> http://gallery.qrig.org/v/mpshots/th/btpreclose/


http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5568793,00.jpg

THE last tram . . . Brisbane's last tram in Queen Street on its way to the Milton tram depot on April 13, 1969.

From Courier Mail click here!

Trams back in Brisbane
Article from: The Courier-Mail


Emma Chalmers and Margaret Wenham

July 16, 2007 12:00am

TRAMS will return to Brisbane streets as part of the biggest overhaul of the city and its transport network yet.
The city council and State Government have agreed light rail will be the key to managing Brisbane's predicted massive growth over the next 15 years.

They have committed to the Smart City overhaul, which also will see five new river crossings, office developments in suburban areas and the revitalisation of urban areas.

The combined approval means the plan can proceed without the political interference that dogged previous attempts to modernise the city and manage population growth.

Premier Peter Beattie last night told The Courier-Mail the State Government was committed to both the scheme and its cost.

Mr Beattie said a combination of State Government funds and private sector investment would be needed over the next 10 to 15 years.

"If we don't do this now then the quality of life we enjoy will be diminished and we believe we can actually improve it," Mr Beattie said.

"We're guiding this over 10 to 15 years so we have time to fund this, we have time to budget for this."

The plan follows intensive infrastructure changes made over the past five years including traffic tunnels; plans for a duplication of the Gateway Bridge; new hospital precincts at Woolloongabba and Buranda; Kelvin Grove's urban village; the Portside residential and cruise ship development; the water pipeline from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba; and the Goodna bypass.

A Federal Government plan to audit available Commonwealth land for residential release also could see a new housing development at Bulimba.

Announcing the details of the new transport links yesterday, Mr Beattie said about three years of planning would be needed but one section of the plan ? the Tank Street Bridge ? already was under way.

City Hall estimates the light-rail system will cost $250 million but Mr Beattie said the total figure would not be known until the route was chosen.

The light-rail network ? likely to be the biggest in Australia after Melbourne ? will link South Brisbane to New Farm and possibly Bowen Hills.

It could be extended because Brisbane's Southeast Busway, the under-construction Inner Northern Busway and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, linking Dutton Park to St Lucia, can all take light rail.

At the centre of the Smart City plan is the goal to link the University of Queensland with South Bank, the Queensland University of Technology's Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses and the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Three pedestrian "spines" running through the city will join four new pedestrian and cycling bridges ? in addition to the Tank Street bridge ? linking West End, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point and Bulimba with the CBD.

The pedestrian bridge attached to the Victoria Bridge will be privately funded in the North Bank development and the Tank Street bridge has already been funded with $63.3 million.

The Government estimates the other three proposed bridges will cost $80 million each.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he welcomed the move, which backed the ideas put forward in Brisbane City Council's 2006 CBD masterplan.

"There's no monopoly on good ideas and I'm just pleased (Mr Beattie's) talking about funding, as I understand it, light rail in Brisbane and also some new pedestrian and cycling bridges," Cr Newman said.

"That's exactly what council wants to see happen."

Cr Newman said City Hall was conducting a mass transit study and would take the results to the State Government in September for funding.

His rival for City Hall, Labor's mayoral candidate Greg Rowell, fumbled his commentary on the plan.

"Well it's welcome isn't it. It's a great contribution to Sydney, ah to Brisbane," he told Channel 7.

State Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls accused Mr Beattie of plagiarising council's masterplan to distract people from the water and health crises.

"This work has all been done before," Mr Nicholls said.

"The Premier just needs to get on and fund the plan."

Brisbane tram services ended on April 13,1969.

[ozbob]

Spencer Howson host 612 Breakfast ABC Brisbane conducted an interview and a brief talkback session highlighting the 40th year anniversary of the end of the trams.  Thanks 612 ABC Brisbane!

--> http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2009/04/its-forty-years.html?program=612_breakfast

[ozbob]

The ARHS  Sunshine Express Tours ran a special steam train (BB 18 1/4 1079) from Roma St to Ferny Grove via Tennyson.  At Ferny Grove vintage buses took the passengers to the Brisbane Tramway Museum.

Here is a photo of 1079 passing through Sherwood on the way to Ferny Grove this morning.



Photograph R Dow 13th April 2009

Some more photos at ATDB click here!

[Otto]

And some great photos of the trams in their day can be found HERE , HERE and HERE... courtesy of ATDB

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Is Brisbane set for a tram revival?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th May 2014

Brisbane:  Forty five years since the trams went silent

Greetings,

Renewed interest in trams for Brisbane.

Brisbanetimes --> Is Brisbane set for a tram revival?

There should be.  Light rail/trams operate in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.  A light rail system is proposed for Perth.

Brisbane is the odd one out.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

======================================



Media Release 9 April 2009 re-released 27 May 2014

Brisbane:  Forty five years since the trams went silent

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport has highlighted the fact that on the 13th April 2009 it will be the 40th anniversary of the end of trams in Brisbane.  The last Council tram ran on the 13th April 1969 (1).  Some of Brisbane's trams are preserved at the Brisbane Tramway Museum at Ferny Grove  (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane trams were consigned to oblivion in 1969, on the highly questionable basis of a pro-freeway car transport non-solution.  Herein lies the root cause of the present transport problems in Brisbane."

"In Brisbane during 1944-45 trams carried around 160 million passengers.  In the final year of operation there were 68 million passengers.  Today, an under-resourced rail system, and an overloaded and inadequate bus system struggle to meet the considerable public transport demands.  Clearly sustainable light rail and proper resourcing and expansion of the heavy rail network is needed to gain the sustainable mass transit capacity that is needed now and in the future."

"The rest of the world is moving ahead with sustainable modern light rail and efficient metro rail transport solutions.  Transport in Brisbane is still transfixed on a failing transport paradigm.  Bus rapid transport has reached it's limit.  Time to move forwards with systems that will gain the capacity that will work."

References:

1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Brisbane
2.  http://www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[#Metro]

I am still chuckling at that RIDICULOUS Cleveland solution. 

[#Metro]

Let's not forget Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle in the above quantum!!

Track would be in fair condition under the bitumen.

[ozbob]

Bendigo ..   

[dancingmongoose]

I am still chuckling at that RIDICULOUS Cleveland solution. 

Morgan Freeman sums it up quite well here:

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane trams investigated by Newman in 2007

[#Metro]

Someone in the comments is advocating for a Hi-Speed Suspended Gondola System around Brisbane.     

[STB]

I'd like to see the trams return to Brisbane.  I've been picturing it covering all the major corridors, Wynnum Rd, Gympie Road, out to Bardon and Ashgrove, and east to Carindale via Old Cleveland Road.

[ozbob]

Ding Ding!   

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland History ‏@History_Qld

Woolloongabba to Breakfast Creek Tram, 1886 (@slqld pic) Last day of Brisbane trams #onthisday in 1969

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland History ‏@History_Qld

Crowds gather around a Brisbane tram at the opening of the Bardon tram extension, 1937 (@slqld pic)

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane fires: Paddington Tram Depot fire marked watershed in Brisbane's evolution

[ozbob]

Network Closure Anniversary Night Run Brisbane Tramway Museum tonight! (13th April 2016)

> https://www.facebook.com/events/1710345805846840/

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 April 2009 re-released 13th April 2016

Brisbane:  Forty seven years since the trams went silent ...

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport has highlighted the fact that on the 13th April 2016 it will be the 47th anniversary of the end of trams in Brisbane.  The last Council tram ran on the 13th April 1969 (1).  Some of Brisbane's trams are preserved at the Brisbane Tramway Museum at Ferny Grove  (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane trams were consigned to oblivion in 1969, on the highly questionable basis of a pro-freeway car transport non-solution.  Herein lies the root cause of the present transport problems in Brisbane."

"In Brisbane during 1944-45 trams carried around 160 million passengers.  In the final year of operation there were 68 million passengers.  Today, an under-resourced rail system, and an overloaded and inadequate bus system struggle to meet the considerable public transport demands.  Clearly sustainable light rail and proper resourcing and expansion of the heavy rail network is needed to gain the sustainable mass transit capacity that is needed now and in the future."

"The rest of the world is moving ahead with sustainable modern light rail and efficient metro rail transport solutions.  Transport in Brisbane is still transfixed on a failing transport paradigm.  Bus rapid transport has reached it's limit.  Time to move forwards with systems that will gain the capacity that will work."

Please note:  Network Closure Anniversary Night Run Brisbane Tramway Museum tonight! (13th April 2016)

> https://www.facebook.com/events/1710345805846840/


References:

1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Brisbane
2.  http://www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/



http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/dao/research/6668-0001/6668-0001-0012r.jpg

Title:   Facade of McWhirters' department store in Fortitude Valley
Location:   Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland
Date:   ca. 1960
Creator:   Woolley, A.


Contact:
Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org