Tramlines Art Exhibition: Ron Kandelaars visits the Adelaide City region of South Australia

Adelaide is well known for its trams. Catch the Bay Tram from Victoria Square to Glenelg for a day at the beach or for a more extensive reminder of Adelaide's transport heritage nip out to the Saint Kilda Tramway Museum.

Rolling relics of our past, the trams that make up the collection are guaranteed to catch your eye. Over the years they’ve been known by a host of different names like the Drop Centre, Bib and Bub and the Toast-Rack Tram and throughout their history they've carried millions of South Australians to and from work. In fact, over the past twelve months the City to Bay tram has had a total of more than two million boardings. Recently, it had a couple more when we jumped on board with local artist, Tim O' Shea.

“This is a real classic clickety clack tram,” smiled Tim. “I love the noises, the hustle and bustle - the movement. It's fantastic.”

Being a local Somerton Park lad, Tim's had plenty of time to study the Bay Tram and his love for the red rattlers is for all to see in an exhibition at the Bay Discovery Centre. Tim has captured many of the Bay’s landmarks in his paintings including its trams.

Trams used to be a classic part of Adelaide suburbia. Up until the late 50s trams were running to various parts of Adelaide including Norwood, Colonel Light Gardens, Unley and Prospect. Sadly those tram routes have been consigned to the dustbin of history and soon so too will the H-type Trams apart from five that will be kept for tourism purposes.

But a little more than seventy-five years ago they caused quite a stir when they first came on line. In 1929 ten thousand Adelaidians turned up at Victoria Square to cheer off the first electric tramcar as it made it's way to the Bay.

From the wood-lined interior to the driver's control panel - little has changed on the old H-Type. And that's why Tim O'Shea was so keen to capture the 368 and 369 in all their glory before our collective memory fades.

“One of the reasons they captured my imagination is that I came back from living overseas about eighteen months ago,” said Tim. “I moved into Somerton Park and immediately I was down the Bay to the cafes and restaurants. I love the hustle and bustle of the trams. I think it was something that sort of touched something for me and it got me involved in coming up with a series for this exhibition.”

Tramlines - paintings by Tim O'Shea is on at the Bay Discovery Centre until May 8, 2005. The Bay Tram runs from Victoria Square to Jetty Road daily and costs $3.40 during peak hours and two dollar during interpeak.

“Tramlines” exhibition Paintings by Tim O'Shea Bay Discovery Centre Moseley Square Until May 8, 2005

The Bay Tram
Victoria Square to Moseley Square
Daily service
$3.40 Peak - Before 9am and after 3pm
$2 Interpeak - 9am - 3pm