Let’s go back “down under” for photos taken earlier in 2020 – this time we are heading to New Zealand with a visit to MOTAT in Auckland, home to several historic trams as well as an operating tramway linking two parts of the museum via the Zoo.
Described as a very friendly museum by our correspondent, MOTAT (that the Museum of Technology and Transport) has a varied collection of trams with the ubiquitous Melbourne W class of trams providing the workhorses for the service but that’s not all there is and if you ever find yourself in Auckland it is well worth the visit.
In the first of our photos below we see Auckland 11 – described as the most precious vehicle in the collection. Not only is it the first tram to be built in Auckland (previous examples had been built at Brush, Loughborough before exporting to New Zealand) but is also New Zealand’s oldest electric vehicle. It has been restored to operational condition but on 27th February 2020 was just on display outside the car shed and we are sure you will agree it is a truly stunning restoration.
Photograph by David Maxwell
Thanks for the look at a MOTAT tram. Been to NZ twice, and MOTAT in Auckland (North Island) and Ferrymead working tram museum near Christchurch in South Island shouldn’t be missed. Allow at least a day for each!