
Sydney's tram network was once the biggest in the southern hemisphere - and incredible archive photographs show how the system connected all parts of the city.

For more than 150 years, thousands of trams served as the primary mode of public transport for Sydneysiders.

The network was the second-biggest in the Commonwealth, behind London, until it was ripped out in the 1960s in favour of investment in buses and roads.

Spanish company Acciona signed a $2.1billion contract in 2014 to construct a new light rail network in Sydney - but the project has been beset with problems.

Construction is behind schedule as workers are pictured playing on their phones and falling asleep while the rest of the city is stuck in gridlock traffic.

Incredible archive photographs show how the system connected all parts of the city. Pictured: George Street near Town Hall in the 1950s

Sydney's tram network was once the biggest in the southern hemisphere. Pictured: A tram approaches Milsons Point after crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

For more than 150 years, thousands of trams served as the primary mode of public transport for Sydneysiders

Spanish company Acciona signed a $2.1billion contract in 2014 to construct a new light rail network in Sydney

The network was the second-biggest in the Commonwealth, behind London, until it was ripped out in the 1960s in favour of investment in buses and roads

Sydney Tramway Museum director Scott Curnow said trams were 'part of everyday life for the people of Sydney' from the late 1800s

The first tram line built in Sydney connected ferries at Circular Quay with the railway station at Redfern in the city's south. Pictured: George Street near the General Post Office

This map shows the tram network in Sydney extending from the centre of the city into the north, south, east and west

Sydney Tramway Museum director Scott Curnow said trams were 'part of everyday life for the people of Sydney' from the late 1800s.

'When you were going to school, to work, the races, the beach, the Easter Show, you took the tram. That was the way you travelled around Sydney, that was just the norm,' he told the ABC.

The first tram line built in Sydney connected ferries at Circular Quay with the railway station at Redfern in the city's south. It was constructed in 1861.

In 1879 the first steam tram was built, along Elizabeth Street in the heart of the city and ending at Central station.

In 1879 the first steam tram was built, along Elizabeth Street in the heart of the city and ending at Central station

Historian Robert Lee said steam trams were popular because they were cheaper than building railways

Eventually electric trams were imported from America. After the first of these arrived, from then on most were built in Australia. Pictured: R-class tram ascending to the colonade at Central station

As cars and buses began to grow in popularity trams had to fight for space on roads which were sometimes too narrow to accommodate all forms of transport in the growing city

Congestion problems were common as a result, and many people blamed trams. Pictured: trams travel along Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach

The general secretary of the National Road and Motorists Association said buses were a better option than trams as they were 'more mobile and get away from the rigid tracks' in a 1953 newspaper article

During World War II, the tram network became run down as there was little attention paid to maintenance

However petrol rationing meant buses were too expensive to operate, and trams proved to be the most efficient public transport method

In the 1940s the New South Wales government commissioned a report from experts in London on the tram system

An extension to the racecourse at Randwick was installed the year after.

Historian Robert Lee said steam trams were popular because they were cheaper than building railways.

Eventually electric trams were imported from America. After the first of these arrived, from then on most were built in Australia.

As cars and buses began to grow in popularity trams had to fight for space on roads which were sometimes too narrow to accommodate all forms of transport in the growing city.

The report said the tram network should be completely closed down. Pictured: Trams on the corner of Market Street and Elizabeth Street

It was believed buses would be cheaper than trams, and by 1961 the last tram line was shut down

Congestion problems were common as a result, and many blamed trams.

The general secretary of the National Road and Motorists Association said buses were a better option than trams as they were 'more mobile and get away from the rigid tracks' in a 1953 newspaper article.

During World War II, the tram network became run down as there was little attention paid to maintenance.

However petrol rationing meant buses were too expensive to operate, and trams proved to be the most efficient public transport method.

In the 1940s the New South Wales government commissioned a report from experts in London on the tram system. The report said the tram network should be completely closed down.

It was believed buses would be cheaper than trams, and by 1961 the last tram line was shut down.

Trams and pedestrians make their way across George Street in the Sydney CBD, with the Queen Victoria Building in the background in the 1910s

O-class trams, holding 80 passengers each, travel along George Street near Town Hall in the early 1950s

A tram is scrapped and burned on December 29, 1960, as Sydney's tram network is ripped out and replaced with buses

Showground trams are pictured lined up ready to collect people and transport them to the edges of the city

The NSW Government has accused Acciona of being behind schedule on the project, which is running a full year late.

Stretching from Circular Quay to Randwick, the government has been told the line will not be operational until March 2020.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the 12km network is over budget and should have already been finished.

The Spanish construction company is suing the NSW government for $1.2billion, claiming they misrepresented the risks about dealing with utilities.

For more information on Sydney's historic trams, click here.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the 12km network is over budget and should have already been finished

The Spanish construction company is suing the NSW government for $1.2billion, claiming they misrepresented the risks about dealing with utilities