09/10/2026
Sentimental Saturday
An original photographic print in the collection. Photographer unknown, A.E.T.A. publisher.
Newcastle, Parnell Place c1929. NSWGT LP Class tram 388 stands at Parnell Place in Newcastle prior to departing for a trip to Glebe, in Newcastle's inner south-west. The advertising on the apron is for the movie 'Michigan Kid' at the Theatre Royal. This movie was a silent drama film directed by Irvin Willat and starring Conrad Nagel, Renée Adorée and Lloyd Whitlock. It was released in the USA in June 1928. There are references for this movie in Australian cinemas (although not specifically for Newcastle) in early 1929.
As with all LP Class trams, No. 388 was built as a Sydney F Class entering service on 1 August 1902 and it was converted to a Sydney L Class in May 1911. A further major conversion came in 1925 when 388 was almost totally rebuilt as an LP Class, but it did not return to Sydney's streets. Instead, it was transferred to Newcastle, arriving at Gordon Ave Depot on 31 May 1925; only four days after being released for Randwick Workshops. It operated in Newcastle until 1950, being withdrawn following the closure of the Glebe and Merewether lines in February. It was noted being stripped at Hamilton Depot in April 1950 and the body was sold in March 1951, some 9 months after the Newcastle system had closed.
