Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Trams4U’s association with Christchurch Tramway Ltd?
A. The owner of Trams4U is an occasional driver of Christchurch Tramway’s Restaurant Car. However, he operates independently of Christchurch Tramway Ltd in the development, manufacture and sale of model trams. Notwithstanding this, Trams4U has undertaken to Christchurch Tramway Ltd that its activities will only enhance the Christchurch Tramway brand by providing products and service that will enrich Christchurch Tramway Ltd’s tram passenger experience. Trams4U acknowledges and thanks Christchurch Tramway Ltd for the moral and practical support it has provided in enabling it to so operate.
Q. What’s the difference between the Limited Edition model and the standard model?
A. To celebrate the 120th anniversary of Box Car No.11 in 2023, we thought it would be cool to manufacture a Limited Edition (of which only 500 units have been and will be made) bearing the lineage of her original owner, the Dunedin City Corporation. With painstaking research, we’ve been able to replicate the “Spiff” advertising hoarding on the roof, with other advertising from that era on the front and rear. The destination sign “High Street” reminds of one of her routes in Dunedin in the early 1900’s. To top this off, each Limited Edition model comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, incorporating a history of this delightful piece of tram heritage.
Q. Do you have plans to build models of other trams from the Christchurch Tramways fleet?
A. Our ability and willingness to build more models is undeniably predicated on the success (measured by sales and return of investment) of this first project with Box Car No.11. The development, design and manufacturing process for a model of this quality takes over 6 months from start to finish, and the up-front costs are not insignificant. However, if this first effort works out as we've planned, we’ll certainly be keen to add other models to the Trams4u collection.
Q. Do you have other products available?
A. Spurred on by the intricate drawing and design work of Box Car No.11, we believe that a range of tram artwork will be of appeal to both tram enthusiasts and to visitors looking for an alternative or additional memento of their visit to Christchurch. Details of new product will be added to our website as they become available but our key focus will be sales of this initial build.
