The Perth Electric Tramway Society (PETS) is a tram preservation society in Perth, Western Australia. It operates a heritage tramway in Whiteman Park.
History Following the closure of the Perth trolleybus system in August 1969, the Western Australian Electric Transport Association was formed.Australian Electric Transport Association Trolley Wire issue 131 December 1970 page 2 In November 1981, the association split into two societies; the Perth Electric Tramway Society (PETS) and the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia. A Look at the Past MTT Quarterly March 1982 page 22Society History Perth Electric Tramway Society
Having previously stabled its collection in Wilson at Casteldare, the Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority granted PETS permission to build a museum within Whiteman Park in 1982. It was officially opened on 21 September 1986.Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 590 December 1986 page 100 Initially operating a fleet of W-class Melbourne trams, the society has gradually restored Western Australian trams to service.
Collection As at August 2022, PETS owned 29 trams and three trolleybuses. Eleven trams came from Perth, eight from Melbourne, four from Fremantle, two from Adelaide, two from Kalgoorlie, one from Ballarat and one from Brisbane.PETS Tramcar Collection Perth_Electric Tramway Society The trolleybuses all came from Perth. Because the society's tramway is standard gauge, Western Australian trams have had to be regauged from their original narrow gauge when restored for operation.
Operations
The PETS tramway operates regular services within Whiteman Park along a route between Village Junction and Mussell Pool. Trams connect to the Bennett Brook Railway at both ends of the line.
While trams used to also operate to the Dumpellier Drive entrance to Whiteman Park, this section of the tramway has been disused for a number of years.
Connecting service As part of the development of Whiteman Park railway station on the Ellenbrook railway line, the tramway was extended by to the new station.Whiteman Park Station Precinct Concept Master Plan MetronetHistoric tramway to connect the Metronet Whiteman Park Station Government of Western Australia 11 February 2024Historic tram line gets extension Rail Express 13 February 2024Heritage tramway will connect to Whiteman Park station Railway Digest April 2024 page 57 The extension opened on 8 December 2024.Whiteman Park Entrance Tram Stop Now Open Perth Electric Tramway Society
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