After servicing travellers for almost 40 years the tram-o-tels in Morilla Street are about to move on to their final destination.

The trams came to Lightning Ridge in the late 1960s, brought by Harold Hodges to allow visitors and miners an affordable and comfortable style of accommodation.

Miners have traded their opal in the front tram for many years and during the 80s and early 90s were very successful.

The new owners Sandra Scott and Ian Boadle have re-named the business "Chasin' the Tram" and intend to move in fully self-contained cabins over the next 18 months.

"Travellers are now looking for more up-market accommodation and the expense of renovating them would be too much," Ms Scott said.

The front tram will reopen in mid-January 2006 and serve as a reception office and new showroom.