The genesis of tram preservation in Christchurch was the Tramway Preservation Association.
 Tramway enthusiasts set it up in 1960 with branches in Christchurch and Wellington.
 The Christchurch group aimed to restore to working order two tram vehicles formerly in service with the Canterbury Tramway Company but then under the ownership of the Christchurch Transport Board.
 With the enthusiastic support of the Board work commenced on a Stephenson single-deck horse car of 1887 and Kitson steam motor no.
7 of 1881.

In 1964 the two branches of the association became independent with the Christchurch group becoming known as the Tramway Historical Society.
 It was also in August of that year that the restored horse car was run along the remaining section of track from the old Papanui line to mark ten years since the closure of the line, an event that also served to significantly boost the profile of the Society and its membership.

The Society, which had been using old Christchurch Transport Board tramway buildings for storage and restoration, created a purpose-built facility in 1967 on land obtained at the Ferrymead Historic Park.
 It was here that a permanent tramway was established and the Society was able to realise its goal of making the tramway experience available to the general public.
 John Fardell, then General Manager of the Christchurch Transport Board, officially opened the tramway on 6 January 1968.
 Rides were hauled using the Society's Kitson steam motor as it was the only motive power available at the time.

A series of extensions to the tramway line opened over the next 16 years culminating in the completion of the Moorhouse township loop in 1984.
 Also during this period the tramway was electrified, allowing the Society to run its restored electric trams in addition to its horse- and steam-hauled vehicles.
The genesis of tram preservation in Christchurch was the Tramway Preservation Association.  Tramway enthusiasts set it up in 1960 with branches in Christchurch and Wellington.  The Christchurch group aimed to restore to working order two tram vehicles formerly in service with the Canterbury Tramway Company but then under the ownership of the Christchurch Transport Board.  With the enthusiastic support of the Board work commenced on a Stephenson single-deck horse car of 1887 and Kitson steam motor no. 7 of 1881.
In 1964 the two branches of the association became independent with the Christchurch group becoming known as the Tramway Historical Society.  It was also in August of that year that the restored horse car was run along the remaining section of track from the old Papanui line to mark ten years since the closure of the line, an event that also served to significantly boost the profile of the Society and its membership.
The Society, which had been using old Christchurch Transport Board tramway buildings for storage and restoration, created a purpose-built facility in 1967 on land obtained at the Ferrymead Historic Park.  It was here that a permanent tramway was established and the Society was able to realise its goal of making the tramway experience available to the general public.  John Fardell, then General Manager of the Christchurch Transport Board, officially opened the tramway on 6 January 1968.  Rides were hauled using the Society's Kitson steam motor as it was the only motive power available at the time.
A series of extensions to the tramway line opened over the next 16 years culminating in the completion of the Moorhouse township loop in 1984.  Also during this period the tramway was electrified, allowing the Society to run its restored electric trams in addition to its horse- and steam-hauled vehicles.
Christchurch tramway system