Electric Supply Company of Victoria
The Electric Supply Company of Victoria was a British company with its headquarters in the English City of Liverpool. It operated the Ballarat Tramways from 1903 to 1934.
Background
It was formed in 1903 as a subsidiary of the British Insulated Wire Company.[1] The company operated power stations and electric tramways in the Victorian regional cities of Bendigo and Ballarat. The Electric Supply Company of Victoria was acquired by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1934.
History
The Electric Supply Company took over the horse tram operations of the Ballarat Tramway Company in 1903. It then built the electric tram network which opened in 1903.
Site
The company built and operated the Ballarat Electric Power Station in Dana Street.
The company built a power station in an old flour mill, on the corner of Wendouree Parade and Ripon Street North. This building was demolished in the 1980's.
The company built a tram depot in Wendouree Parade, near the corner of Forest Street. This building was demolished in 1971. They also built a number of cottages for their workers in Gregory Street, behind the depot. These were known as the Tramway Cottages.
Innovations
Community Involvement
Works Produced
The Company built a fleet of tram cars. These were interesting as a shortage of capital meant that creative thinking was needed. They purchased old cable car trailers from Sydney, and extended the base to provide a platform at each end.[2] A small electric Brill motor truck was put underneath. Only one of these trams has survived. It was located in a farm house which was demolished in 1990 for the Ballarat Bypass. The tram is now being restored at the Ballarat Tramway Museum.[2]
In 1913, three new trams were purchased to run a service to Sebastopol when the electrification was extended. These were known as "Sebastopol Cars", and all three have survived. One is in the Tramway Museum of Victoria collection at Bylands, and two are held by the Ballarat Tramway Museum.[3][4]
Workplace Relations
The People
Benjamin Deakin, Engineer and General Manager, 1910
Legacies
See also
Notes
References
Further Reading
External Links