Fort Macquarie Tram Depot

Fort Macquarie Tram Depot was part of the Sydney tram network. It opened in 1902 on the site of the old Fort Macquarie and was demolished in 1958 to make way for the construction of the Sydney Opera House.

Fort Macquarie Tram Depot
Location
LocationBennelong Point
Coordinates33°51′27″S 151°12′53″E
Characteristics
Operator(s)New South Wales Tramways
History
Opened10 August 1902
Closed22 October 1955

History

Fort Macquarie Tram Depot was built on Bennelong Point in Sydney opening on 10 August 1902, on the site of the old Fort Macquarie.[1] The depot was constructed in the design of a fortress with castellated ramparts in homage to the previous building. The depot closed on 22 October 1955 before being demolished in 1958 to make way for the construction of the Sydney Opera House.[2][3][4]

With the closing of Fort Macquarie depot, most of the services were transferred to Dowling Street depot.[5]

Design
  • 12 tracks
  • Battlement style front parapet
  • Brick pediments, vents within false windows
  • Roof orientation to south

Operations

The depot consisted of a 12 road shed, with loop line laid around the outside. The loop and sidings on the western side of the depot were an important lay-over point for trams serving many lines.[1] This took pressure away from Circular Quay during busy periods. Entry to the depot and loop line was controlled from a signal box located adjacent to the tracks. Nothing remains of the depot; the buildings were totally razed to make way for the Opera House.

Services from Fort Macquarie (some of these services also commenced at Circular Quay and Millers Point) were:

Dimensions:

  • Width: 131 ft
  • Length of car shed: 250 ft
  • Length of building from end to end: 307 ft
  • Height from ground level 36 ft
  • Height from pit level: 41 ft
  • Height of turret: 80 ft

References
  1. "Fort Macquarie Cae Sheds". Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 22 September 1902. p. 5. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  2. "Bennelong Point and Ford Macquarie". Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 23 February 1901. p. 11. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  3. "The Scene from Fort Macquarie". Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 2 February 1888. p. 5. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. Keenan, David (1979). Tramways of Sydney. Sans Souci: Transit Press. p. 18. ISBN 0 909338 02 7.
  5. "Tram Ride". Lockhart.olsen.tripod.com. 22 October 1955. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
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