The Tramway Historical Society Inc is a not-for-profit charitable organisation based at Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch, New Zealand. An incorporated society with charitable status under the 2005 Charities Act, it was originally formed on 8 February 1960 by a group determined to take over and restore the last two 'complete' items of Christchurch Tramway Board rolling stock that had not been scrapped — and it has grown and expanded ever since. The Society is perhaps best known for establishing the Ferrymead Tramway, an operating tramway at Ferrymead Heritage Park where restored heritage steam, horse and electric trams recovered from throughout the South Island can be seen running, along with associated tramway infrastructure. Its interests don't stop at trams: the Society also maintains a small fleet of heritage Christchurch diesel omnibuses and operates a working trolley bus line featuring examples of trolley buses from all of New Zealand's former trolley bus systems. The Society's expertise has even shaped the city itself — in 1993 the Christchurch City Council asked it to supply vehicles for the City Tramway, leading to the Heritage Tramways Trust undertaking the professional restoration of five vehicles leased to the Council and tramway operator. At its heart, though, this is a volunteers' organisation: a sociable group that restores, drives and maintains the vehicles and infrastructure, with work parties at the Trambarn on Monday evenings from 7pm and on Saturdays. New members and visitors are always welcome and can enquire at Ferrymead Heritage Park's main reception or at the Trambarn. Beyond running days, the Society offers special tram charters, decorated Wedding Specials to the church at Ferrymead Heritage Park, charters on its heritage buses — including a genuine 1950 London double decker — and a hands-on tram driving experience.
On a corner of Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch, the overhead wires are live and the trams are running. The Tramway Historical Society Inc is a not-for-profit charitable organisation — an incorporated society with charitable status under the 2005 Charities Act — that has spent more than six decades rescuing, restoring and operating New Zealand's transport heritage. For visitors, it is one of the few places in the South Island where you can ride behind heritage steam, horse and electric trams, all in one working tramway.
The Society's story began on 8 February 1960, when a group of enthusiasts formed with a specific purpose: to take over and restore the last two 'complete' items of Christchurch Tramway Board rolling stock that had not been scrapped. From that modest rescue mission, the organisation has grown and expanded ever since, taking on project after project and building one of the country's most respected volunteer transport collections.
The Society is perhaps best known for the Ferrymead Tramway, an operating tramway at Ferrymead Heritage Park where restored heritage trams recovered from throughout the South Island can be seen running, along with the associated tramway infrastructure that keeps them moving. Steam, horse and electric traction all share the scene, offering a rare cross-section of how New Zealanders once travelled.
Trams are only part of the story. The Society also maintains a small fleet of heritage Christchurch diesel omnibuses, and operates a working trolley bus line whose collection includes examples of trolley buses from all of the trolley bus systems that once ran in New Zealand. Together they make Ferrymead a destination for anyone curious about the vehicles that shaped the country's cities.
The Society's influence reaches beyond the heritage park gates. In 1993, the Christchurch City Council asked the Society to supply vehicles for the City Tramway. The Heritage Tramways Trust was set up to undertake the professional restoration of five vehicles, which were then leased to the City Council and on to the tramway operator — a lasting contribution to Christchurch's modern tramway, built on volunteer know-how.
At its heart, the Tramway Historical Society is a sociable group of volunteers who restore, drive and maintain the vehicles and their infrastructure. Work parties are held from 7pm on Monday nights and on Saturdays at the Trambarn on Bridle Path Road, with the next scheduled work party typically falling on the third Saturday of each month. Plenty of opportunities exist for new hands, whether the appeal is mechanical restoration, driving, or simply being part of a friendly team.
A regular monthly members event is an important fixture on the calendar. It might be a meeting with a guest speaker, a visit to an interesting old home or industrial site, or a jaunt around a former tram or trolley bus route aboard one of the Society's heritage buses. New members and visitors are always welcome, and enquiries can be made at Ferrymead Heritage Park's main reception or at the Trambarn.
The Society's fleet is available for memorable occasions. Special tram charters can be arranged for interested groups, generally in conjunction with Ferrymead Heritage Park. Getting married? Couples can travel in style aboard a decorated tram to the church at Ferrymead Heritage Park, with park and ride facilities for guests off Ferrymead Park Drive and adjacent to the tram barn. After the service, the tram waits while photos are taken, then returns guests to the car park — though the actual tram and trailer used, and the decorations, may vary depending on the weather and availability.
Bus lovers can charter the Society's heritage buses, of particular interest being the genuine 1950 London double decker. And for those who want to do more than ride, the Society offers a tram driving experience — a hands-on turn at the controls.
To plan a visit, get in touch with the Society at the Trambarn on Bridle Path Road, or keep an eye on its TRACTS newsletter and news page for coming events and work party dates.