On the conversion to electric operation the depot was extensively rebuilt in 1902 to enlarge the tram shed to twelve roads.

[1][2] The old cable shed and winding engine house was demolished and the carriage sheds converted to a cinema (now the Independent Theatre) while the electric tram sheds were closed in 1909 and converted into the North Sydney Coliseum Roller Rink which became the Sydnian Theatre of Pictures in 1913 and reverting to the name Coliseum in 1915 .The Coliseum Theatre (Biograph) next door became a Vaudeville theatre six months after opening and remains a 'live' venue to the present day.

A typical cable tram consisted of two vehicles, a leading open tramcar, known as the "dummy" or "grip" car, and a second car that was an enclosed saloon tram or trailer.

[4] The system was powered by a large steam winding engine in Ridge Street.

The engine's flywheel hauled an endless steel cable lying beneath the road between the rails in a shallow channel along the tram route.