The Sandhurst and Electric Tramway Company was the first to blaze a trail when it introduced battery trams to Bendigo in June 1890. Unfortunately they had made a serious miscalculation, as the batteries quickly proved inadequate for the hilly terrain of Bendigo. After a couple of months battery trams ceased running and were later replaced by steam trams in February 1892. Steam trams were a reliable means of transport and successfully moved Bendigonians around for ten years, but the onset of the recession forced the Bendigo Tramways Company to sell up in 1899 to the Electric Supply Company of Victoria (ESCo) who continued to run steam trams until 1902. This turn-of-the-century sale led to the introduction of electric trams to Bendigo in April 1903. These were a success from the very beginning. During peak hour people would be standing in the aisles, in the doorways, even on the running boards on the outside of the tram. In addition, the trams were also the first option for deliveries. Parcels, newspapers, movie reels for the picture theatres and even mail bags found their way onto the trams; sent from outlying post offices to the GPO in the city centre. At the end of World War I the Victorian Government constituted the new semi-government instrumentality, the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC). The SEC was to take over all privately owned power generating companies in Victoria and operate as a state owned monopoly ... Bendigo's tramway system was an integral part of the deal.Bendigo Tramways 100th Anniversary National Trust 31 minute DVD. Content includes brief history of the Bendigo trams from 1890 to 1990; driver's view movies of each of the four Bendigo Lines; and the set up of the tourist trams after the closure of the lines by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.history, bendigo, bendigo trams

Sheet steel folded to give a top & bottom strengthening. With SEC green paint on back, yellow painted face & lettered PAY AS YOU ENTER in black paint. Used on each tram to indicate to boarding passengers, to pay the motorman as they entered the tram. If not in use was turned to face away from boarding passengers. Ballarat trams fitted with wooden slides on either side of drivers windows, so that they could face the respective open door. Also use by the BTM for similar purposes. Has been repainted by SEC - can see where painted over previous chips.trams, tramways, secv, fares, tramcar operations

Enamelled metal sign with circular ends and two large and protected mounting holes. With red background & lettered "sec danger ht" in white paint. Has a black enamelled back. Black paint by letter "c" and below it. Letter "h" missing due to damage & a punch mark- like a large can opener mark.trams, tramways, secv, power supply

Has a strong association with the SEC Wendouree Parade depot, indicating which parts of the building was the office or work area for the Overhead Foreman.Wood sign, lettered, 'OVERHEAD FOREMAN", white background, black letters with countersunk mounting holes in edges off centre. Rear of sign timber and dark reddish paint.trams, tramways, ballarat, secv, overhead, depot

Sheet of plywood painted green, with of our mounting holes & clip on the right hand side. With a "SEC safety" transfer applied to one side. Has rounded corners on the tap. Has had two hinges on the left hand side. On rear in yellow paint faded with brown mark stains "BTPS WELCOMES RCTA TOUR GROUP" Rail Coach Touring Association. Used late seventies?trams, tramways, sec, safety, ballarat, depot, rcta