ESCo Cross Bench Tram

This hand made wooden model shows a cross bench tram car, known as a summer car. It was made for the Bendigo Tramway in the 1970s, possibly for sale in their shop. The maker is unknown. From the collection of Tim Borchers and repaired for our display by Chris Phillips.

Both Ballarat and Bendigo had summer cars in their fleet. In 1953 Bendigo’s crossbench tram No. 17 was converted to a track cleaner, almost 20 years after the similar conversion of Ballarat No. 23.