The Broome Tramway was an industrial tramway in Broome, Western Australia. A horse-drawn, 2 ft gauge, Tramway[1] was originally completed in 1898[2] to convey goods from the new Jetty at Mangrove Point into the heart of the small community at Jap' Town. The work on the tramway was started in 1894 to carry Mother of Pearl Shell from Streeter & Male Jetties to the Goods Shed. The high demand for the shell ensured the success of the tramway and the progress of Broome.[3]
In the new century this was converted to a more stable 3 ft 6in gauge and then to steam driven in 1910.[4]
Latterly, in the 1950s the locomotives used were diesel powered, and the line was finally dismantled with the closure of the old jetty in 1966.[5]
References
edit- ^ Broome Chronicle 12 December 1908
- ^ Broome Chronicle 8 May 1909
- ^ "Broome Tramway Co". Broome Tramway Co.
- ^ Light Railways No 56 Winter 1976 published by The Light Railway Research Society of Australia "North west Coastal Tramway – Broome" by Ian Crellin and Frank Stamford [1]
- ^ Broome Tramway History