From the archive: Tram 253 on Anzac Ave, 70 years on

Graham Stewart. 1955. [Tram 253 on Anzac Avenue with cars parked on street], PHO-2020-19.116. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).

This 70-year-old photograph by MOTAT co-founder Graham Stewart MNZM captures tram no. 253 – Queen Mary – powering up Anzac Avenue past the High Court towards Symonds Street. Behind her are the Railway Hotel, the Beach Road Railway Station, and the port beyond.

A contemporary photograph from the same vantage point shows how much the cityscape has changed — the hotel is still present, but you can no longer see the forecourt, and while the station is also still there, you can no longer see it from the ridge.

Scott Pilkington. 2025. Anzac Avenue without trams.

Queen Mary is a 1940 Streamliner Class tram, built in Royal Oak. For many years she was the backbone of the Western Springs Tramway, but she’s now at M3 awaiting restoration. Her older sister, no. 248 can be seen plying the MOTAT route most weekends.

Links for more information

• https://collection.motat.nz/objects/126510/tram-253-on-anzac-avenue-with-cars-parked-on-street

• https://collection.motat.nz/objects/708/tram-no253-streamliner

• https://www.motat.nz/collections-and-stories/stories/motats-queen-of-the-rails/`

- Scott Pilkington