Re: Wellington Double Decker (Big Ben) 47

Thanks, David.

Real glad to hear the double-decker survived.

Guess I'm going to have to stop over on the way through next time.

Bob Murphy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cawood, David" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 10:27 AM
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Wellington Double Decker (Big Ben) 47

Hi All

To answer Bob Murphy's question regarding the ratty 1906 Wellington Double
Decker (Big Ben), 47 became a works tram in the early 1950's. It was
withdrawn in 1950 from Passenger Service and was in the scrapping road at
the Gallows (the Conductor on it's relocation trip from Newton was Ian

Mison

of MOTAT) and was one tram away from being scrapped It became apparent a
Double Decker tram was still required for overhead maintenance in the
Hataitai Tram Tunnel, which was sleepered. Consequently 47 was relocated
back to Newtown and used as a works cars with the Destination boxes and
later top deck seats removed. Some time later the Hataitai tunnel rails

were

paved over allowing Trolley Bus and tired Tower Wagons to operate through
it. In 1957 the Old Time Transport and Preservation League of Auckland
(founding organisation of MOTAT, Auckland) asked for 47, 301, 135 and a
Fiducia (number undetermined at that time) of the Wellington fleet to be

put

aside for preservation. These were kindly kept in the back of Newton until
closure of service in May 1964 and moved to Auckland.

Wellington 47 is currently in the Western Springs Tramway workshops at
MOTAT, her chassis has been extensively renovated. Over many years the

Brill

Eureka trucks have been stripped to component level and rebuilt and now

are

only minus the Motors, which are about to be overhauled. It is anticipated
the body restoration will begin in ernest in early 2002, after the
completion of Melbourne W2 321.

By the way the 21E trucked four wheel Double Decker's in Wellington were
known as Baby Ben's and unfortunately none survived.

Cheers
David Cawood






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