We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? Yes
Public domain
This media item is listed as being within the public domain. As such, this item may be used by anyone for any purpose.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Black and white photograph of W1 419 at the South Melbourne depot, late 1920's. Side on photo.
On rear in ink "M&MTB, W1-419, South Melbourne Depot, late 1920's" Keith Kings Stamp with number S-A941.
Has the photographers stamp "Sutcliffe Pty Ltd, Cromwell Buildings 966a Bourke St Melbourne.
See Reg Item 3558 for another similar print within an album.
2nd copy added 1-7-2022 from the Keith Kings Collection.
Photo shows one of the horse trams and staff that operated the line that ran from Hawthorn Bridge via Burwood Road, Power Street, and Riversdale Road to Auburn Road, opening in 1890. There are 8 uniformed men and three officers in the photograph. In the background are many undeveloped housing blocks, and the Hawthorn Town Hall tower. The tramway operated until 1916 when it was replaced by an electric tram. See item 6159 for a wider view showing a man at the rear of the tram used in the 1989 Australia Post Stamp Fair.
Yields information about the crews that worked the Hawthorn Bridge to Auburn Road horse tram service.
Black and white print mounted with in pink coloured card with bevelled edges.
Has a caption which is incorrect.
tramways, tramcars, horse trams, hawthorn, crews, auburn road
Document - The Met design or style manual details the Corporate Identity to be used on all publications, and documents including logos, logotypes, symbols, standard lettering, and colour. Has a table of contents. The design manual is dated Nov 1984, just over one year after the creation of The Met - see reference. Parts 2, and 4 to 9 are missing insert pages.
Demonstrates a Style Guide or Design Manual used by The Met in Melbourne.
Document - multi ring binder green plastic covers, with approx 40 sheets, full colour, including table of contents.
the met, design, style guide, logos, colour schemes
Digital image or scan of a document most likely prepared for the 1923 General Scheme for Melbourne Tramways as the statistical background information. See item 2088 for the General Scheme itself. Gives statistical detail for each Melbourne municipality at the time, areas, dwellings, passengers carried, population, route miles of railways and tramways, passenger capacity of the railways, and traffic counts - some of which have been extended to 1925.
Demonstrates a statistical document prepared for research purposes and possibly part of the 1923 General Scheme for Tramways in Melbourne.
Document - Journal bound in leather with red leather corners, sewn, alphabetical index pages, pages ruled in light blue ink.
general scheme, statistics, tramways, railways, population
Document - The Met design or style manual details the Corporate Identity to be used on all publications, and documents including logos, logotypes, symbols, standard lettering, and colour. Has a table of contents and an index. Includes printed publications, signposting, rollingstock road vehicles, uniforms, stationery, and miscellaneous items. Has an index at the rear. The design manual is dated 1988, some five years after the creation of The Met - see reference.
Demonstrates a Style Guide or Design Manual used by The Met in Melbourne.
Document - 4 ring binder white plastic covers, with approx 100 sheets, double side, full colour, including table of contents and an Index.
the met, design, style guide, logos, colour schemes
Document - full title "Met Tram Overhead appreciation for Met Tram Officers & Tram Drivers" Gives a detailed inforamation on the structure of the tram overhead, its parts, poles, such as frog pans, crossing pans, points, contactors ,broken trolley wire, pantograph operation and feeder cables. Has notes on the SCADA system and Carlton Electrical control system. Written at the time when trolley poles remained in operation.
Yields information about the Melbourne tramway overhead system.
Document 47 A4 pages, clear plastic cover, with card covers comb bound along top edge.
tramways, tramcars, equipment, overhead, electrical engineering, trolley wire
Report or history Melbourne's cable trams written by Neville Govett and Alf Twentynan, two recognised historians on Melbourne cable trams. The book looks at the Engine Houses, cables in detail, route colours, grips, shunting, the various lines and how they operated, fares, annual reports, notes, and fare collection. Includes information on the operators, See item 1885 for another copy and a full scan of the document.
Yields information about the operation and history of Melbourne's cable trams.
Report - black comb bound, 230 approx. pages, photocopied from an original, loose sheets foolscap sheets photocopied from an original manuscript by C. N. Govett and A. E. Twentyman - 1973
On page 3 in ink "To my friend John, with Best Wishes Neville Govett, 28 Apr 86". On a label on the outside of the comb binding "The Melbourne cable tram system" is a Dymo machine label.
trams, tramways, cable trams, mmtb, winding houses, engine houses, operations
Used on the inside of the doors of a Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Cable tram saloon trailer along with item 7438. See also item 2907 for another example. Recovered by the donor from a trailer that was in a yard in Dromana shortly before it disappeared. See image 2 of the locations of the signs.
Demonstrates a MTOCo sign from a cable tram trailer and the style of signage.
Sign - metal strip, with folded edges, 8 countersunk screw holes, painted cream back with black letters Shows position of the sign on a cable tram door."
trams, tramways, conductors, cable trams, signs, trailers, safety, passengers
Used on the inside of the doors of a Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Cable tram saloon trailer along with item 7439. See also item 2906 for another example. Recovered by the donor from a trailer that was in a yard in Dromana shortly before it disappeared. See image 2 of the locations of the signs.
Demonstrates a MTOCo sign from a cable tram trailer and the style of signage.
Sign - metal strip, with folded edges, 8 countersunk screw holes, painted cream back with black letters "Please have fare ready for Conductor".
trams, tramways, conductors, cable trams, signs, trailers, fares
Bell used by the conductor to signal to the driver to stop, proceed or an emergency stop. The flat leather strap indicates it was used on a cable tram, rather than an electric tramcar which were fitted with round leather cords. The leather strap is riveted to a round steel ring.
Demonstrates a conductors communication or signal bell made for use on cable trams.
Brass Conductor Communication Bell, or signal bell, consisting of cast frame, bell striker and bell pull part. Has at both ends, four open screw holes that were used to secure the bell to the roof of a tram with a flat 22mm wide leather strap attached using a steel ring.
trams, tramways, conductors, bells, cable trams
Set of 24 Annual reports of the "Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. Ltd" detailing the finances, passengers, lines, company matters, and dividends, from the 16th Annual Report of 1889 to the 37th Report of 1910 and the report of the Directors for 1917 following the cessation of MTOCo activities. The last report details the issues in winding up the Company and settling its dispute with the Tramway Board. Sample images provided of the 16th, 37th and 2017 reports.
Yields information about the MTOCo through its Annual Reports to Shareholders and how profitable it was paying good dividends to shareholders.
Paper sheet off white paper, printed in black ink and folded.
annual reports, tramways, cable trams, mtoco
Annual report to share holders of "The Melbourne Motor Omnibus Co. Ltd" - dated 30 June 1914, detailing the company's activities, finances, planning, routes, buses, passengers carried, maintenance, and staff. Signed by F Massy Burnside, with J W C Downs Chairman of Directors. Gives details of the Mr Burnside the Manager. Shows the company at the time was not profitable.
Yields information about a bus competitor to the cable trams, its operations, routes, and the impact of the First World War.
Paper sheet off white paper, printed in black ink.
buses, competition, annual reports
Document titled "Time table of all night tram and bus services" dated July 1941 lists the routes and times trams or buses left the suburban terminus and passed either Franklin and Swanston St or Princes Bridge. Gives fares, through routing. Signed S M Richardson Manager.
Demonstrates a 1941 all night services timetable brought about by restrictions in the sale of petrol due to the Second World War and the need to transport workers to factories.
Paper sheet off white paper, printed in black ink.
tickets, all night services, world war 2, timetables, fares
Set of four student concession cards or forms used during The Met era. Shows the complexity of the system. All have the conditions of use on the rear. 1 - 6 Monthly Werribee Student Pass, dated until end of June 1987, Nos. 1178 and 1196 2 - Second terms 1986 Tertiary Student Concession cards $21.40, Nos. 11594 and 11597. 3 - Primary/Secondary student concession cards, available until 28/2/1990 - Nos 91639 and 91640. 4 - Yearly Ringwood Student Pass, available until end of Dec. 1987 Nos.2488 and 2500.
Yields information about some the student concession tickets of The Met era.
Set of four tickets or forms printed onto paper or light card, some on safety paper.
the met, public transport, tickets, student concessions
Ticket - The Met - Inner Monthly Travel Card - dated April 1987, allowing travel on all trams, buses and trains in the Inner Zone. Has conditions of travel. Required an accompanying photocard to be used. The reference details the complexity of the system.
Yields information about the monthly travelcard system used from 1984 to 1988
Set of two tickets printed on card, yellow with black printing and a decorative motif on the other side. Nos 2357 & 2358
the met, public transport, tickets, monthly tickets, travel card
Ticket printed for use by people attending the 28/11/1986 Pope John Paul II Papal Mass at Flemington Race course. Attendees were able to park at Moonee Valley Race course and then use buses, provided by The Met to Flemington Race course where the Mass was held. Has the Papal symbol on the rear. Adult $2, Concession $1. See item 3029 for a related Operations Newsletter.
Yields information about transport provided during the 1986 Papal visit to Melbourne.
Set of three tickets printed on card, printed in purple ink with black numbers. Adult 0065 and Concession 0042 and 0046.
the met, papal visit, public transport, moonee valley racecourse, flemington racecours, buses
Issued by The Met or V/Line to identify the person was able to receive concession fares when travelling on public transport. Have the conditions of transport on the rear.
Yields information about travel concession cards of the mid 1980s.
1 - Sixty Plus Concession card - yellow card, printed in green ink - numbers in red ink - 479650 and 479603 2 - Laminated Sixty Save concession card - printed on safety paper in red and black ink - No. 50748. Priced at $25. Appears to have had a photo affixed to card in the top left-hand corner.
Expiry date stamp on item 2 - 5 Mar. 1986
tramways, passes, public transport, the met, vline, concession card
Issued as part of a folder to promote tourism in Melbourne. See item 983 for the folder or kit that the ticket came with. Required it to be punched at the time of sale to be valid. Issued by The Met 1987.
Demonstrates a metropolitan wide tourist ticket of 1987.
Yellow card, printed in green ink - unnumbered. Two copies held.
tramways, passes, public transport, tourist tickets, the met
Document provided to people with impaired vision to enable free travel on MMTB vehicles. Gives condition of travel, was to expire on 1/12/1981 with space for date of issue and the bearer's name. Signed by Mr Aird, MMTB Secretary,
Demonstrates a free pass issued to people with impaired vision and entitled to free tram and bus travel.
Yellow cloth (rexine) covered document on one side, paper on the other titled "Blind Person's Tramways Pass", No. 2002, stamped "Sample Issue Only". The yellow cloth has been given a sealed finish with the paper insert glued to the inside.
stamped "Sample Issue Only" on the inside.
tramways, tickets, mmtb, blind persons, passes
Ticket allowed Scholars or school children to travel on MMTB trams/buses to attend schools at a concession rate. Inside gives issue details - issued to a person in Kew to attend Kew High School, three sections, for use to 17/12/1971 Cost $6.75 Ticket No. 6468.
Demonstrates a Scholar's ticket to allow a student to travel to Kew High School.
Pink clothed backed paper ticket, printed as a MMTB "Scholar's Concession Ticket", for 3rd Term. Gives condition of use on the outside cover.
Details filled in of the person's name address etc.
tramways, tickets, schools, scholar's tickets, school tickets
Melbourne tram ticket - 5d printed on pink paper with a Bushells coffee advert on the rear, featuring a lady and a man formally dressed about vacuum-packed coffee. Bushells advertised on many products.
Demonstrates a 5d ticket used by the MMTB with a Bushells advert.
Ticket - pink paper with black printing No. 085501
tramways, tickets, mmtb, bushells
Used by a cable tram conductor to record the number of 2d fares collected from passengers. The Bell punch recorded the number of times a hole was punched in the slip. They were used by the cable trams until the mid-1920s when they were phased out and replaced by "flimsy" paper tickets. The item has been punched a number of times. Printed for the Tramway Board (1916 to 1919). Has space for 32 journeys. On one side, has space for the name Line, Date, Badge, car, time of starting, and signature, if a student conductor. Printed for use in the up direction. For an example for the Down direction and larger, see item 3335.
Demonstrates a Cable Tram tram Conductors record of the trips sold/fare collected.
Ticket - Trip Slip - cable tram Bell Punch type - manila coloured card, 2d fare.
tramways, tickets, cable trams, bell punch, tramway board, tb
Document produced by the Transit Research Corporation of New York, details the specifications for the Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) for a streetcar or tram for American cities. The MMTB researched this type of tramcar for use in Melbourne, taking out a licence for their production. This document dated 1/4/1947 with revision to 1/6/1950 would have been part of the licence agreement. Unfortunately, there were insufficient funds to build this type of tramcar. Only tram 980 which was based on a modified W6 class body was fitted with PCC equipment, later transferred to prototype PCC tram 101. See reference.
Yields information about the technical specification for US PCC tramcars.
Document - bound with card covers, approx 300 printed pages including folded drawings held by an Arnos type steel binding clip,
On the spine with a green/white label "Specifications for PCC Car"
tramways, tramcars, pcc, new trams, tramcar specifications
Black and white photograph of Princes Bridge looking south with produce vendor's carts and many people on both sides of the bridge, generally walking south. In the view are several horse-drawn vehicles, cable trams, one of which is bound for Queensberry St from Toorak. In the view is a poster for Le Girls at Her Majestys Theatre, Worth's Olympic Theatre, and Varley Bros Printer and Bookbinders building. Not known how the photo was dated to 1908. Photo possibly from a postcard.
Yields information about Princes Bridge 1908.
Black and white print with notes on the rear.
In ink "Princes bridge area, crossing over railway lines 1908, City Bound tram - Toorak - Queensberry St route"
tramways, tramcars, collins st, victoria bridge, cable trams
Black and white photograph of Collins St near the intersection of Swanston St with a Victoria Bridge cable tram in the view. Shows the buildings on both sides of the street, street lights, horse drawn vehicles and people. Not known how the photo was dated to 1908. Photo possibly from a postcard.
Yields information about Collins St from Swanston St, 1908.
Black and white print with notes on the rear.
In ink "Collins St at Swanston St corner 1908"
tramways, tramcars, collins st, victoria bridge, cable trams
Black and white photograph of W2 399 eastbound in Victoria Parade with the destination of Deepdene. The tram was fitted with route number boxes in 4/1930. The Victoria Parade line was opened to electric trams on 15/9/1929, dating the photo c1930. The photos shows established hedgerows that were planted along the tram track. The tram is at the Lansdowne St stop which has a tram stop shelter. Note the ornate scroll work on the centre poles. Iin the far distance can be seen the chimney of the Victoria Brewery,
Yields information about the then new Victoria Parade tramway and tram 399.
Black and white print with photographers stamp on the rear.
Sutcliffe Photographers stamp.
tramways, tramcars, w2 class, victoria parade, deepdene, centre poles, shelters
Black and white photograph looking along St Kilda Road with cable trams in the far distance, c1900. Has a cross-over in the foreground. Shows the trees along St Kilda Road, and the various streetlights
Demonstrates a view along St Kilda Road, c1900.
Black and white print with adhesive strips on the rear.
tramways, trams, st kilda road, cable trams
Black and white photograph of the interior a Y1 class tram car, photographed at Camberwell Depot. Shows arrangements of seats, lights with covers and roof ads. A number of roof ads and window posters in the tram - of tram in service. Part of tram 550 in background. On rear is Sutcliffe Photographers stamp, Destination City, 4th Edition and 5th edition.
Yields information about the interior of a Y1 class tramcar.
Black and white print with photographer's detail on the rear.
"Sutcliffe" photographers stamp and in pencil "class Y1"
tramways, mmtb, y1 class, interiors, trams
Black and white photograph of the construction of the Preston Workshops store building c1926 with the Paint Shop behind. Photo taken from the railway line looking west. Shows the scaffolding for the brick walls being completed. Photo by Sutcliffe Pty Ltd on behalf of the MMTB.
Yields information about the then new Preston Workshops being built.
Black and white print with photographer's detail on the rear.
"Sutcliffe" photographers stamp.
tramways, construction, buildings, preston workshops
Black and white photograph of the signal box at Franklin St. Swanston St and Victoria St, probably soon after its completion with tram W2 534 with a Malvern destination, standing behind the signal box with a conductor standing at the front of the tram. Shows the detail of the signal box that had toilets for crews. Note the iron step rungs to access the cabin,. The signal box was commissioned on 29/5/1929 Behind the building is Grants building with signs for Archers Printery and Ingram & Carr Wholesale Stationers. On the right hand side is the Carlton United Brewery building. Photo by Sutcliffe Pty Ltd on behalf of the MMTB.
Yields information about the then new Franklin St signal box.
Black and white print with photographer's detail on the rear.
"Sutcliffe" photographers stamp.
tramways, tramcars, franklin st, signal box, tram 534, w2 class
Black and white photograph of Q class No. 197 at South Melbourne depot, probably soon after it's entry into service during Sept. 1923. Has the MMTB name along the rocker panel, and a PMTT-style destination box, showing the destination of Hanna St Depot. This type of destination mechanism would have required a person standing on the bumper bar, to reach up to change the destination.
Yields information about the then new Q class trams.
Black and white print with photographer's detail on the rear.
"C J Frazer" photographers stamp.
tramways, tramcars, tram 197, south melbourne depot, hanna st depot, q class
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
