The Sydney “open breezer” tram in 2010. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Steve Morgan.

Officially known as an “O-class” tram, No. 1187 was one of a staggering 626 of this type of car manufactured between 1907 and 1914 for Sydney’s extensive tram network. The workhorses of the fleet, they were known colloquially as “toast racks” because of their transverse seating. The cars could seat as many as 80 passengers and could be loaded and unloaded very quickly, making them ideal for serving large sporting events.

After providing sterling service from 1912 to 1959, No. 1187 was donated “by the city of Sydney to the people of Oregon” thanks to the combined efforts of the Australian Electric Transport Museum and the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society. It was shipped to Portland on the SS Ventura, leaving Sydney on August 20, 1959 and arriving in Portland on September 27. It was then trucked to the Glenwood Trolley Park, and has been in almost constant operating service for the museum since – in fact, its strong, reliable nature heavily influenced the decision to use standard-gauge track for the museum’s operations.

Untitled