METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

Tram 'wouldn't exist' without donation

Ferrymead Tram
Ferrymead Tramway  Friends Of Ferrymead Tramway's Facebook

A generous donation might have saved the Ferrymead Tramway from closure.

New Zealand's largest switchboard manufacturer Bremca has donated $25,000 worth of equipment to the Christchurch Tramway Historical Society.

Society spokesperson Phyllis Belworthy said the donation had completely changed the future of the tramway.

"Without people like Bremca, we wouldn't exist. Without a donation like this, we might've had to close down because we wouldn't have had the correct electrical gear to be able to run," Belworthy said.

Bremca responded to a plea from the society for sponsorship or donations in 2015.

Belworthy said the original switchboard was 50 years old. A new one was desperately needed to keep the tram alive.

The Christchurch Tramway Historical Society held its official "switching-on" ceremony at Ferrymead Heritage Park today.