Tram [No.17 (C type 'Double Decker')]
Maker and role
Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1902
Object detail
Accession number
2004.314
Secondary maker and role
Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited
Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited
Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited
Production period
Description
Auckland Double Decker Tram No.17
Bodywork: Brush, Loughborough, England (in Kitset form)
Length: 33' 6", width: 7' 2", weight: 12½ tonnes
Seating capacity: 80 - top deck 46, lower deck 34
Seating altered to 78 seated, 10 standing - 25/03/1911
Trolley standard: Stovepipe type by R W Blackwell
Trucks: Brush D1 of English Manufacture
1435 mm (4' 8½") gauge
Motors: 2 x Brush 1200 @ 40 HP until July 1909;
4 x Brush 1200 @ 40 HP from July 1909
Controllers: Brush H2 until November 1909 British Thompson Houston B6 with rheostatic/magnetic electric braking General Electric K6 from April 1911.
Glass fronts re-built: 25/03/1911.
Air brakes installed: 31/10/1911.
Upper deck removed, altered to saloon type - 30/09/1923.
Extensive repairs following Gaunt Street Depot fire when the original No.86 was destroyed - 22/06/1933.
Bodywork: Brush, Loughborough, England (in Kitset form)
Length: 33' 6", width: 7' 2", weight: 12½ tonnes
Seating capacity: 80 - top deck 46, lower deck 34
Seating altered to 78 seated, 10 standing - 25/03/1911
Trolley standard: Stovepipe type by R W Blackwell
Trucks: Brush D1 of English Manufacture
1435 mm (4' 8½") gauge
Motors: 2 x Brush 1200 @ 40 HP until July 1909;
4 x Brush 1200 @ 40 HP from July 1909
Controllers: Brush H2 until November 1909 British Thompson Houston B6 with rheostatic/magnetic electric braking General Electric K6 from April 1911.
Glass fronts re-built: 25/03/1911.
Air brakes installed: 31/10/1911.
Upper deck removed, altered to saloon type - 30/09/1923.
Extensive repairs following Gaunt Street Depot fire when the original No.86 was destroyed - 22/06/1933.
Brief History
Tram No. 17 is one of the six C-Class Double Decker trams built for the Auckland Electric Tramways Company (AETC). It was shipped to New Zealand as a kitset and was part of the original fleet of 43 trams used by the company when service began in 1902. The British Electric Traction Company had urged the AETC to ensure it had at least six double-decker trams to help move large numbers of passengers on the busy lines and to move crowds to sporting events.
As the city tramway became busier, it became obvious that with the double decker tram were very slow loading because they had only a rear entrance and exit. In 1923, the top decks were removed from the six double-deckers and they were then used during rush hours. The open compartments front and back were enclosed with glass fronts at the same time.
During the Peace Celebration parade in 1919 to mark the official end of the First World War, this tram was decorated with a large electrical light installation of the New Zealand flag. Tram 17 also carried these flags during two Royal visits: in April 1920, when the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) visited New Zealand, and in February 1927 during the tour of the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
This tram is the only preserved example of the six Auckland double decker electric trams in New Zealand. It came to MOTAT in 1967.
As the city tramway became busier, it became obvious that with the double decker tram were very slow loading because they had only a rear entrance and exit. In 1923, the top decks were removed from the six double-deckers and they were then used during rush hours. The open compartments front and back were enclosed with glass fronts at the same time.
During the Peace Celebration parade in 1919 to mark the official end of the First World War, this tram was decorated with a large electrical light installation of the New Zealand flag. Tram 17 also carried these flags during two Royal visits: in April 1920, when the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) visited New Zealand, and in February 1927 during the tour of the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
This tram is the only preserved example of the six Auckland double decker electric trams in New Zealand. It came to MOTAT in 1967.
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited. 1902. Tram [No.17 (C type 'Double Decker')], 2004.314. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![[Auckland Tram No.17 at Epsom depot]; Unknown; Circa 1911](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/36684/c56cf5f4c4b3235e9c5dcf52309a72955650750f.jpg)
![Tram Lights [Peace Lights]](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/41442/0a8ce8f16937d05abd71066fa6d24b1993239301.jpg)
![[Auckland tram no. 17 with peace light panel affixed to side]; Unknown Photographer; [1919-1920]](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/841/28e56f26ec999d0d55f0c907a716899836751afe.jpg)
![Tram Lights [Peace Lights Spare Bulbs]; Auckland City Tramways](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/940/7471844dd023091cc456d7de0ec1cdf96dbe709c.jpg)
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