cabletram

I have worked out WHERE this is, but will keep quiet for a while to give others a go! Not sure about WHY, WHEN or WHAT . . .

Now you've got us intrigued!

[7 days later] The terrace of houses (see note) caught my eye and by chance matched one I had seen on Google Street view when trying to find the location of a Powerhouse Museum collection photo several months ago. Here is the Google street view of the terrace in Balmain at the corner of Punch Street and Fitzroy Avenue - maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&... Which means the "Cable Tram Trailer" is on Cockatoo Island ! Those look like temporary wooden rails - it is being loaded / unloaded on / from a barge. The Trailer looks new and very utilitarian, perhaps meant for industrial use.

Good spotting beachcomberaustralia. I wonder if it was made on Cockatoo island and was being sent elsewhere.

Wow and wow. What a piece of detective work. I would never have thought of using Google Maps street view. Here's some more info and another photo of your terrace beachcomberaustralia.

I can't see any contact wire, is that a diesel tram?

I think they are telegraph wires.

Congrats, is perfect. :]

It is a cable tram which ran on this route (King Street wharf to Ocean Street Edgecliff) between 1894 and 1905 before electrification. More info: www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=207898&... See also www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/3022880907/ St Mary;s Cathedral tower was completed in 1900, so this photo must be 1900-05.

The statue of Prince Albert has moved to about where this photo was taken, opposite and looking at his wife Queen Victoria. An old photo: www.medfac.usyd.edu.au/museum/image.php?FMMUS=FMMUS3478 More info: www.publicartaroundtheworld.com/Prince_Albert_Statue.html

Museum photos on flickr with open licensing! What a brilliant initiative - makes me proud to be an Australian. Hoping I can add something to the value of these images when I spot something I have first hand knowledge about. (got any images from south australia?)

In all fairness, the "initiative" belongs to the U.S. Library of Congress, the first organization to work on this project on Flickr.

Note the "middle rail" on the King St tram lines - they were cable trams.

What intersection is this?

It is the King Street / George Street intersection looking east. The reverse view is here: www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2901695720/ The pepperpot is still there at the corner of Pitt Street, as are several buildings in King Street. Cable trams ran on this line between 1894-1905; tapered outline telephone poles were pre c.1900, which narrows the date of this photo a lot. www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=207898&...

See next photo for more tram and date information: www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/3022881591/ Google Street view recently: maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&... Queen Victoria has moved and turned 90 degrees to face down Macquarie St.!

Roundabouts have been around for years so it seems....shame this roundabout no longer exists. That area is now all filled in.

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71385759/5334444 - this pic appeared in the Australian Town & Country Journal on 7th July, 1900 (see 2nd page of link).