Donations

To make a donation of any item, please send an email to archivist@brisbanetramwaymuseum.org with details of the item and, if possible, a photo of the item. Please include your name, mobile number and email address. We will then contact you to discuss the donation.

Research

If you are carrying out any research on the Brisbane Tramways, Brisbane Transport or Brisbane’s history, please contact the museum via email with the details of your request and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

About the Archives

The Brisbane Tramway Museum Society (BTMS) archives are located at 50 Tramway Street, Ferny Grove. The archives hold specific collections which include material and reports from the Brisbane Tramway Company, Brisbane Tramway Trust, Brisbane City Council and other tramway systems in Australia and overseas. The archives also contain newsletters and correspondence from tramway systems from around the world.

For enquiries about the archives, please email us.

Some items that can be found here are:

• 3000+ plans of trams and the tramway infrastructure
• A large collection of photos, slides and negatives
• Brisbane tramway uniforms and Brisbane tramway tickets dating back 100 years
• Over 200 manuals and instructions from different companies including General Electric, Westinghouse, British Thomson-Houston and Brown-Boveri
• Files from the Brisbane City Council on the operation of the tramways
• Brisbane Tramway Union material
• Newspaper clippings on tramway issues

This collection was drawn from the Brisbane City Council, BTMS resources, BTMS member private collections and large amounts of donated items from members of the public.

After the closure of the Brisbane Tramway system in 1969, the BCC Transport Department started handing over to the newly formed BTMS a collection of tramcars, spare parts and materials. Initially this was under a trust arrangement, but in 1996, full ownership of the tram cars, spare parts and materials was transferred to the BTMS museum.

The Board of Directors of the Museum is responsible for the BTMS Archives with the Records Coordinator responsible for the managing the day-to-day running of the BTMS Archives and reporting to the Board.

Library

The BTMS Archive Library holds a large collection of books and some videos/CDs on Brisbane, interstate and overseas tramway systems and tramway people. These books and videos/CDs may be borrowed from the archives on a Tuesday when the museum is staffed for maintenance.

Print Material

The BTMS archival print material includes:

• Annual reports from Brisbane City Council (BCC)
• Annual reports on tramways from interstate and overseas and BCC tramway department files
• General Electric, Westinghouse and BTH Co tramway manuals
• BCC workshop manuals
• Information and books donated by ex-tramway employees and other persons
• Newspaper articles
• Newsletters and books from other tramway organizations.

Please click on the links below to view a small portion of reports and information held within the BTMS Archives.

• BCC History of the Transport Tramway
• Brisbane Tramways Timeline
• First Four Years of Electric Tramcars in Brisbane
• History of Brisbane Tramways 1969
• Brief History Brisbane tramways by K S Kings

Drawing Material

The BTMS archive contains over 4,000 drawings of BCC trams and tram components, interstate trams and components, substation buildings and electrical designs, and tramway infrastructure including buildings, overhead, tramway track, and road information. 2,500 of these drawings have been copied and are available.

Photo Collection

The BTMS archive holds a large collection of black and white photos of the Brisbane Tramway system and Brisbane. 

Archive Contact Information

Brisbane Tramway Museum Society Archives

• Address: 50 Tramway St, Ferny Grove QLD 405
• Phone: (07) 3351 1776. Leave a message and we will get back to you.
• Email: archivist@brisbanetramwaymuseum.org

Print Material

For any scan copy of any Print Material please send a request email to the above email address including the Draw Number, File Number (if one) and the Description of content and also your name and email address. There may be a cost involve in scanning and posting any item, a return email will advise you if there is a cost involve and if the item can be scanned.

The forwarding of any Print Material not connected to the Brisbane Tramways will be only sent to other Tramway, Rail or local history groups on request. For the forwarding of any Print Material that is not connected to the Brisbane Tramways, a request email will be required including the Draw Number, File Number (if one) and the Description of content and also your name, email address, the organisation you belong to and the reason for the request. The BTMS Board will review your request and if approved, the forwarding of any Print Material including postage will be at the cost of the receiving organisation.