Ritchie Brothers was an Australian railway rolling stock and tram manufacturer based in the Sydney suburb of Auburn.

Ritchie Brothers
IndustryRolling stock manufacturing
Founded1857
Defunct1950s
Headquarters
ProductsRailway carriages
Trams

History

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In 1857, Robert Ritchie took over the blacksmith business of Joseph Whiting of Parramatta. In 1876, Ritchie was awarded a contract by the Government of New South Wales for 150 wagons. In 1882, the business relocated to Marion Street, Auburn.[1]

Ritchie Brothers built carriages for the New South Wales Government Railways including American suburban carriages, Bradfield suburban, Silver City Comet, 500 class trailers and 72 foot carriages.[2][3][4][5][6] It also built D and N class trams for the Sydney tram network.[7] It closed in the 1950s with the plant and equipment sold to Australian Electrical Industries.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Machine Factories: Ritchie Brothers, Auburn The Sydney Mail 24 September 1892
  2. ^ Kerry, Michael (1990). Sydney's Wooden Electrics. Sydney: Transit Australia Publishing. ISBN 0-909459-14-2.
  3. ^ Cooke, David (1999). Coaching Stock of the NSW Railways. Matraville: Eveleigh Press. pp. 200–203. ISBN 1-876568-00-3.
  4. ^ C3082 1921 Ritchie Bros Wooden Bradfield Motor Car Sydney Electric Train Society
  5. ^ Cooke, David (1984). Railmotors and XPTs. Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division. ISBN 0-909650-23-3.
  6. ^ TAM504 Office of Environment & Heritage
  7. ^ The Trams of the Sydney Tramway Museum Sydney Tramway Museum
  8. ^ Plant of Old Established Car Builder Sold Railway Transportation December 1955 page 38