Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map published 1949

Perth Historic Tramways — Wall Map (1949)

Overhead wires, clanging bells and steel on bitumen—this 1949 classic gathers Perth’s tram network just after the war into a single, beautifully drafted portrait. Routes thread from the city to river suburbs and beaches; loops, bridges and junctions settle the system into the street grid with mid-century calm. Part transport ledger, part civic memory, it brings a vanished way of moving through Perth back to the wall—clear, nostalgic, and quietly electrifying.

Why it captivates

• A complete late-1940s snapshot of Perth’s electric tram system before its final decade of service.

• Legible, room-ready design—balanced typography and disciplined linework read cleanly from across the room.

• City and river in concert—routes laid over the Swan, bridges and boulevards for instant orientation.

• A statement piece that blends scholarship with warm, local heritage.

What you’ll see

• Tram routes and termini radiating from the CBD to key suburbs, beaches and river districts.

• Loops, junctions and major streets that reveal how the system threaded through the urban fabric.

• Interchange cues with railway corridors and ferries where the network met other modes.

• Period finish preserved—titlework, neatline and a clear hierarchy for names and features.

A richer historical frame

The post-war years were Perth’s tramway dusk: a mature network serving workers, shoppers and weekend crowds while buses and cars gathered pace. This 1949 edition fixes that moment—precise enough to navigate by, composed enough to display—so you can read how streets, bridges and suburbs connected before the lines fell quiet.

Choose your finish

Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)

Best for: framing under glass in homes, studios and offices
Look & feel: non-glare matte that preserves fine linework and small labels

Laminated (true encapsulation)

Best for: classrooms, libraries, clubs and shared spaces
Build: sealed edge-to-edge between two 80-micron gloss sheets
Benefit: wipe-clean, durable, moisture-resistant

Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)

What you get: encapsulated print plus natural lacquered timber rails top & bottom with a discreet hanging cord
Where it shines: foyers, council buildings, transport rooms—polished look with everyday toughness
Install: arrives ready to hang (just add a wall hook)
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for professional rail mounting

Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)

Best for: premium interiors, boardrooms and galleries
Print system: pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for long display life
Presence: textured surface adds warmth and museum-style depth

Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)

What you get: canvas fitted with natural timber rails top & bottom, matching cord
Where it shines: statement walls, heritage displays, curated Perth collections
Install: ready to hang; single-hook friendly
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for rail mounting

Sizes (W × H)

• 940 × 750 mm — balanced landscape format with generous route detail

At-a-glance materials

Styling ideas

• Local heritage wall: add a caption card noting family suburbs or favourite beach terminus.

• Council or library foyer: choose Laminated + Rails for a polished, robust display.

• Study or lounge: canvas with rails above timber cabinetry for warm mid-century character.

• Transport nook: frame the paper edition and pair with a vintage tram token or conductor’s punch.

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Perth families, commuters and tramway enthusiasts preserving city memory

• Councils, libraries & museums curating transport and urban history

• Collectors & interior designers seeking authentic mid-century cartography with local soul

Claim your wall. Choose Paper for crisp, frame-ready clarity. Go Laminated + Timber Rails for tough, ready-to-hang polish. Step up to Archival Canvas + Timber Hang Rails for gallery weight. Printed in Australia with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks. Built to last. Hang it. Live with it. Keep the lines alive.