The Tramway Historical Society Inc.

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The Steam Tram is one of eight imported by the Canterbury Tramway Company in 1880/1 for use on that company's lines in Christchurch. Numbered 7 by the company, it was makers number 28 and was built by Kitson & Company, Airdale Foundry, Leeds England, in 1881. As well as the steam trams the company also imported 9 double deck tram cars from the coachbuilding firm of John Stephenson & Co Ltd of New York. In the following years more passenger cars of varying styles were built by various Christchurch coachbuilders. The Society is fortunate in having acquired one of those original nine which has yet to be restored, as well as two of the local cars, nos 10 and 74 which have been restored and are used as trailers on the Ferrymead Tramway.
Although they were used primarily on passenger services, they also saw service on track maintenance and construction work until well after the electrification of the tramway system was complete. They were also used during the construction of the McCormacks Bay causeway (a road deviation across tidal mudflats) and the conversion of the North Beach line to trolleybus operation.
Passenger use appears to have ceased in the mid 1920s and regular use in the 1930s Three steam trams were still available for service during the 1939-45 war, with No 7 running for a special occasion in 1942. All except No 7 were broken up by 1948. No 7 along with two trailers were overhauled and ran special services in 1950 to mark the Canterbury Centenary. Ownership of the tram remained with the Christchurch Transport Board who placed it in the care of the Tramway Historical Society in the early 1960's. The tram was restored and returned to service in January 1968 with the opening of the Ferrymead Tramway.
The Society undertook a major overhaul in the early 1980s.
Number seven or 'Kitty' as she is affectionately known is the last Kitson Steam Motor in operating order in the world today and of over 300 locomotives built by Kitsons only two others survive.

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