| Perth Electric Tramway Society | |
| Established: | 1981 |
| Location: | Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia |
| Type: | Heritage tramway |
| Publictransit: | Whiteman Park railway station (from 2024) |
The Perth Electric Tramway Society (PETS) is a tram preservation society in Western Australia. It operates a heritage tramway in Whiteman Park.
Following the closure of the Perth trolleybus system in August 1969, the Western Australian Transport Museum was formed.
However, in 1981 this organisation split into two societies, the Perth Electric Tramway Society, and what would become the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia.[1] In 1982, PETS found a permanent home in Whiteman Park, with public services commencing over their entire network in 1986. While initially operating former Melbourne trams, the society has gradually restored Western Australian trams to service.
In 1992 the society hosted the Conference of Australasian Tramway Museums.
The Australian Collections Network[2] designates the operation as Western Australia's Heritage Tramway.
PETS owns a fleet of 29 trams and 3 trolleybuses, mainly former Perth and Melbourne trams. Examples of former Fremantle and Kalgoorlie trams also form part of the fleet.[3] Notably, the society's tramway is standard gauge, requiring West Australian trams to be regauged from their original narrow gauge when restored for operation.
The PETS tramway operates regular services within Whiteman Park along a 2.5 km route between Village Junction and Mussell Pool. Trams connect to the Bennett Brook Railway at both ends of the line.[4] [5]
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. As part of the development of Whiteman Park railway station, Metronet has planned for the reactivation and partial realignment of this section to connect to the Morley-Ellenbrook line at the station.[6] In February 2024, it was announced that the tramway would be extended to the new station. This would involve the provison 1.3 kilometres of rails, 3,900 sleepers and 3,000 tonnes of ballast, as well as other assistance in the development.[7] [8] [9]