Cliffs and steep slopes my friends. Sydney has a lot of very steep areas around the edge of the harbour and the open sea areas, both north and south of the harbour entrances.
While it not so much of a problem now, back then trams could not go down or up very steep hills. Remember my post on the Balmain counterweight tram? They would just slip when trying to climb a hill, or slide when going down.
Eventually route planning and funding was finalised and the new tram line opened on the 29th of May, 1922. Unlike most Sydney tram line openings, the opening was without ceremony. Politicians did not want to give an opportunity for criticism as to why the line took twenty years to build.
No longer did residents have to walk the to the nearest tram line in Military Road. I think Balmoral Beach must have been quite a nice place to visit. Once the tram line opened with a fairly infrequent service, the service had to be rapidly increased, especially on weekends.
Here is a quote from one of the newspapers of the day:
In its tortuous descent to the beach, the new line headed at different stages of the route towards almost every point of the compass, revealing scenes of surpassing beauty at every turn.
Here is a map with the streets and route of the tram. Once it reached the sea, it took a level, curving path along the coast to Rocky Point and a rotunda I think. To the top of the map is Mandolong Road, an obvious route for the tram to connect to Military Road tram on the far left, and travel directly to the beach, but it was far too steep.
One thing for sure, the tram line would have never have happened if not for the lobbying and though it took twenty years, it was successful. Take note Doncaster residents, Monash students and Rowville residents who want a train.
The last picture shows at tram at repose at the Balmoral Beach terminus facing the steep slopes it will soon climb. The last tram to Balmoral ran on the 28th of June, 1958. Picture courtesy City of North Sydney.