Launceston Tramway Museum

20/06/2026

With the sad news of the upcoming closure of Boags Brewery in Launceston, another of our heritage tramway advertisements will no longer reflect an active local service. Our collection includes around 500 advertisements of businesses and films.

The film advertisements showcase some well-known titles such as Dawn Patrol (starring Tasmanian Errol Flynn) and Captains Courageous. The trams themselves were the lifeblood of the city’s theatres/cinemas by advertising films and transporting passengers to them. A letter to the editor in the 16 April 1947 Examiner tells of overcrowding on a tram on a theatre route, painting a picture of the large patronage of Launceston's trams:
“Five minutes after 7.30 a tram came along and a small one at that. People were squashed in everywhere and, of course more were waiting to be picked up at almost every stop… but a percentage were in the inside of the packed tram were going to the Star theatre ꟷ and what a mess as they tried to get out! Women were screaming, and I saw one faint…”.

With the ceilings and other places inside of the trams being prime locations for advertising many businesses benefited from the opportunity. Within a single tram there could be many different businesses advertised or, in some cases, an entire tram’s advertisement spaces could be rented out by local businesses. In 1914 James Leonard Craw drapery occupied all the advertising spaces in Tram no.18.

The advertising posters in our collection covers a large number of businesses such as the Mayfield Bakery, Findlay’s and Mitchell Motors. Local businesses would further benefit by assisting prospective consumers with the Conductors telling people where to alight to go to certain businesses, Ludbrooks being one of the main beneficiaries.

Of the advertisements in our collection, one stands for its endurance — Bridestowe!

A selection of these heritage advertisement posters can be viewed in Tram no.29 during a ride throughout Inveresk, placed to showcase authentic examples used during the trams lifetime.

17/06/2026

Since joining the Launceston Tramway Museum in 2018, volunteer tram driver Brad has built memorable experiences and had a blast along the way.

Brad shares some reflections on this time in the accompanying video. With over 7 years volunteering he is one of a number of long-term volunteers whose dedication has made a significant impact on the community. Our thanks go to Brad and to all volunteers who generously share their expertise and enthusiasm.

Tram driver Brad recalls some of the memorable moments from his tim...

15/06/2026

On 12 March 1913, Tram no.2 derailed in High Street and crashed into the gardens opposite the property called ‘Bifrons’. Motorman W. Spearman lost control after passing Adelaide Street when descending a steep gradient and the brakes not gripping. The trams Conductor Stanley Ling attempted to apply the brakes from the rear of the tram to no avail. As the tram hit the sharp curve it left the track, passing through an iron fence. The trams descent would be halted by a tree and its wheels would get embedded in the soil which prevented it from plunging further off an embankment.

It was fortunate that there were only three passengers on board, including Arthur Green (Secretary of the Launceston Gas Company), Miss Tyson and Mr. Gannou who all remained in their seats and only sustained minor bruising and shock. Conductor Ling was accused of jumping off the tram, although other accounts (including the tram crew) say he was thrown off by the force of the crash.

The crash would be attributed to a combination of factors including environmental from rain that occurred shortly before the incident and human error from the Motorman.

08/06/2026

Have you ever wondered how our points work? Volunteers Butch and Terry explain how the points are switched, what the colours mean, how they are maintained and what drivers and conductors need to look out for.

Butch and Terry from the Launceston Tramway Museum explain the func...

04/06/2026

In 2024 the Launceston Tramway Museum Society inc completed a business case for its proposed museum and workshop expansion. The business case details not only the benefits of the physical facilities but also set out 5 years of planned follow-on investment.

These investments includes new rail experiences (Glebe Gardens via the Black Bridge), new exhibitions, public programs, temporary and traveling exhibitions (including contributions from other groups) and heritage interpretation across Inveresk and the wider city. Some of these supported initiatives outside of Inveresk are well advanced and may even be delivered before the first shovel goes into the ground.

We are now finalising and refining the specifics of this 5-year plan, with an overview of this plan to be shared later this year.
The plan forecasts a 5-year economic benefit of $20,094,000. As the project delivery progresses and outcomes are achieved, the annual benefit is projected to grow to $6,696,000. These benefits are not those that flow directly to the museum but the broader economy ꟷ including hotels, cafes and restaurants, conference centres, retail and other businesses.

We believe this project is vital to strengthen the cities tourist, cultural, economic, heritage and educational landscape. Projects of the scale and importance as this are essential drivers to sustaining a vibrant and resilient local economy.

22/05/2026

Have you seen our gang car along the tracks? After some maintenance it is back in operation. Butch, our workshop manager, explains what the vehicle is and how it works.

Volunteers at the Launceston Tramway Museum have restored a gangcar...

19/05/2026

One of the most iconic pieces of built heritage in Launceston is the King’s Bridge. When the tram lines were being laid in 1910 work commenced outbound from the corporation quarry (now the penny royal) adjacent to the bridge with metalling from the quarry supporting the works. A major tram stop would be located outside the front of the quarry.

When the tramway commenced passenger services in 1911 the tram line ended outside the quarry. Attempts in 1913 to extend the line further would be met with construction challenges, with difficulties engineering the section so it would not exceed an average grade of 1:10. It would not be until 1915 that this section of the route would be complete and the trams would climb the steep gradient of Cataract Hill. The trams provided an accessible and pleasant way to climb what is a steep hill with excellent views of the city.

On 25 of December 1948 this line would be closed to the disadvantage of residents and visitors.

The bridge continues to be an important part of the city’s infrastructure and unmissable at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge.

07/05/2026

After the the trams dominated Launceston's streetscape trolley busses replaced them. These Trolley Busses were first operated by the Launceston Municipal Tramways (owned by the City of Launceston Official) and then its successor the Metropolitan Transport Trust (now known as Metro).

Graeme Davis was one of the people who drove trolley busses when he started work at the Metropolitan Transport Trust in 1966. In the attached video Graeme recalls his time driving them and shares stories from his time as a bus driver ꟷ although he is still driving busses around 60 years later!

Special thank you to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery who let us have access to their excellently restored and preserved Trolley Bus.

The electric trolleybuses replaced the trams in Launceston and ran from 1952 until 1968. Here Graeme from the Launceston Tramway Museum recalls his time as a...

16/04/2026

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes before the tram is ready to take passengers?
Join Motorman Terry and Conductor Rob as they prep Tram 29 ready for a day's operation.

Behind the scenes: Prepping Tram 29 ꟷ

Behind the scenes: Prepping Tram 29

02/04/2026

Easter Break at the Launceston Tramway Museum
We are closed from Good Friday 3rd till 7th April.
Reopen Wednesday 8th. April.

We will also be closed on Saturday Anzac Day 25th April

The photographs show tram 26 which was turned into a holiday house and a view of Coles Bay from the roof.

Tram 26 was purchased in 1953 by a Longford farmer. He spent 12 months fitting it out as a four-bedroom holiday house. It was really utopia, fishing for barracuda, flathead and cod, walking over to Wineglass Bay for crays, swimming, playing cards and enjoying lots of fun with kids from the other shacks.

Surrounded by bush, the tram boasted a gas stove, gas heater, gas lighting plus an outside loo and bush shower in the nearby garage.

That’s where the big Humber Super Snipe or Ford Prefect ute would be parked.