Welcome to the Tramway Historical Society Inc.

This organisation is a “not-for-profit” charitable organisation. It is an incorporated society and has charitable status under the 2005 Charities act. It was originally formed on 8 February 1960, with a view to forming a group which could take over and restore the last two "complete" items of Christchurch Tramway Board rolling stock which had not been scrapped, and has grown and expanded ever since.

Since it was formed, the Society has taken on many projects – but is perhaps best known for the establishment of the Ferrymead Tramway – an operating Tramway at Ferrymead Heritage Park, where restored heritage steam, horse and electric trams recovered from throughout the South Island can be seen running. The society also has a small fleet of heritage omnibuses, and a working trolley bus line with examples of trolley buses from all the trolley bus systems in New Zealand.

In 1993, the society was asked by the Christchurch City Council to supply vehicles for the City Tramway. The Heritage Tramways Trust was set up to undertake the professional restoration of five vehicles to be leased to the City Council then on to the Tramway Operator.

There is plenty of opportunity for volunteers to join our sociable group and have fun in restoring, driving and maintaining the vehicles and associated intrastructure. A regular monthly Members event is an important part of the activity list. This event may be a meeting with guest speaker, a visit to an interesting old home or industrial site, or perhaps just a jaunt around a former tram or trolley bus route in one of our heritage buses.

New Members and visitors are always welcome, and they may enquire at Ferrymead, either Ferrymead Heritage Park main reception or at the Trambarn. Work parties are held from 7pm on Monday nights and on Saturdays at the Trambarn, 269 Bridle Path Road, Christchurch.