Percy Markham Ireland (1893-1976), a tramway rolling stock engineer with the MMTB and a Military engineer applied in 1920 for a patent for a "Trolley Pole safety appliance for electric trams and the like". He was successful in gaining a patent in a number of countries including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand. The associated documents show the differences in making patent applications in various countries. From research undertaken by the Museum it appears that while his patent applications were successful, his invention was never actually implemented on tramcars in Melbourne". Collected by Noelle Jones as research for an article in the March 2023 issue of the Museum's magazine Bellcord, giving details of Mr Ireland's tramway and military career. He retired as the MMTB Rolling Stock Engineer in 1958 after 44 years of service.Yields information about patents applied for by Percy Ireland in different countries.Set of digital patent documents for Australia, USA, UK, France, Germany and Canada. tramways, patents, trolley poles, percy ireland, safety devices

Photograph of Charing Cross Bendigo with three trams in the view and a number of horse drawn cabs. Has Town Hall and other buildings in the background. Title of the postcard is "City of Bendigo, Victoria" In corners "State of Victoria" and "Australia" On rear of postcard are the words "The Commonwealth of Australia, Victoria Welcomes, The American Fleet Postcard", with the State of Victoria seal/symbol, place for a stamp, correspondence and address. Issued for the visit of the Great White Fleet, USA, 1908. See Google for the timing of the visit. See item 9081 for a similar photograph with a different crop.Demonstrates an item produced for the visit of the American fleet in 1908.Printed black and white postcard divided back unused.trams, tramways, bendigo, the great white fleet, charing cross

Eight issues of "MMTB News" - The Magazine of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Two copies of each issue. All issues printed with an off-white gloss paper cover with the rest of the magazine white glass paper. 1722.1 - Vol. 2, No. 1 - 16 pages, January 1965, with a photo of the Board meeting in the Board room of the MMTB, notes or articles on traffic congestion, a short history of public street transport in Melbourne, TMSV tour of 7/2/1965 with PCC 980, and" Some Views on Public Transport". 1722.2 - Vol. 2, No. 2 - 16 pages, February 1965, with a photo of Dusseldorf 3 section tramcar on the front cover, notes on the costs of concessions, press visit to the Carlton Power control supervisory centre, "Melbourne - 1985", Mark VI buses, tool safety, "Staggered Working Hours", hydro-foil on Sydney Harbour, "Traffic Congestion". 1722.3 - Vol. 2, No. 3 - 12 pages, March - April 1965, with a photo of W7 1012 and bus 751 on the front cover, notes or articles on "New Trams for Melbourne", retirement of D.H. Eakin, "Traffic Congestion", "Tramway buses at the Gippsland Fires", The Australian Good Neighbour movement. 1722.4 - Vol. 2, No. 4 - 16 pages, May - June 1965, with a photo of L 101 at West Maribyrnong terminus during an Association of Railway Enthusiasts tour (photo Robert Wilson), notes or articles; "A Motorist Speaks Up for Trams", "Tramways Hospital a Major Benefit", parking in the central city, tramway ambulance, "Radio Control is Human Nerve Centre", staff shortages, retirement of Mr. Stan Bowen, the ARE Tram Tour, and Port Melbourne Tramways Social Angling Club. 1722.5 - Vol. 2, No. 5 - 16 pages, July 1965, with a photo of the Doncaster Bus depot on the front cover, articles or notes; Freeways, Public Transport, Decimal conversion, Doncaster Bus depot, Melbourne in twenty years, Engineering Department - Bus branch, visit of Mr Ken Hall and Frank Kirby overseas to study new trams. 1722.6 - Vol. 2, No. 6 - 20 pages, August September 1965 with a photo of W6 921 being lowered at Preston Depot, with notes or articles; an abridged version of an address by R. J. Risson to the Constitutional Club in Melbourne, lost items on trams, Bus Engineering, and social or sporting club news. 1722.7 - Vol. 2, No. 7 - 16 pages, October - November 1965 with a photo of PCC 980 on the front cover, notes or articles on; free travel for USA City shoppers, safety, Stores Department printing section, Ballarat's Tramways Diamond Jubilee - TMSV tour to Ballarat on 15/8/1965 including two photos, PCC 980, Christmas functions, retirement of Arthur Wisdom and Bill Wallis. (Reference photos Reg. Item - 1877). See btm2819i9 for image of the article re the TMSV Tour to Ballarat. 1722.8 - Vol. 2, No. 8 - 16 pages, December 1965 with a photo of cable car set No. 1 on the front cover with notes or articles; Children's art show, "Quest for New Tram", "The Development of Melbourne's Trams" and sporting or social club news. Has a Christmas message from Chairman, Mr. Risson with photograph.trams, tramways, mmtb, carlton control, buses, pcc 980, ballarat, new trams, are, tmsv

Report - Approx 100 A4 pages - clear plastic covers, card rear cover, red comb bound, containing photocopies of articles from various magazines about the development of public transport in the USA. Followed a meeting at Parliament House 9/10/1990. Signed by Hugh Waldron, Noel Gipps, and Stanley Vine. Addressed to Robin Cooper, Member for Mornington.trams, tramways, usa, aeta, conversion, light rail

Sheet music printed on folded B2 sized sheet to give an approx. B4 sheet, off white paper, titled "The National Anthems of the Four allies", with Music and English Words for: Britain - God Save the King France - The Marseillaise Belgium - The Brabanconne Russia - Gold the All-Terrible Published by Frances Collas - 14th Edition - part of a series of national songs - see rear sheet, but none mention the USA, Canada or Australia!trams, tramways, music, world war 1

Photocopy of a set of foolscap and A4 documents that comprise the form for the importation of one PCC car from the USA, 4/7/1939, stapled in the top left hand corner. Title - "Department of Trade and Customs - Form for use in connexion with application for admission of goods under Departmental By-Laws". Gives details of the proposed imported tramcar, Source (the St Louis Car Co. of St Louis), and duty details. Form to be signed by Reuben Alfred Spencer. Includes draft of the document, copy of report by H. H. Bell (9 pages) and extract from magazines "Transit Hails the Modern Car"(16 pages).trams, tramways, mmtb, pcc, st louis car co., reports, manufacturing

Centre page spread of an article titled "A Streetcar named Delight", from the Australasian Post - undated - c1980 about the Melbourne W2 class trams operating in Seattle, Washington. Written by Vaughan Mawbey, gives details of the trams, the construction background of the tramway, some local stories and identities associated with the tramways. Has a number of photos including W2 518. Noted Sir Rupert Hamer was at the opening.trams, tramways, seattle, w2 class, usa

Black and white photograph of Freight Car 206 at Preston Workshops. This tram began as one of 10 single truck saloon trams built by J.G. Brill & Co., USA and assembled by Duncan and Fraser, Adelaide. It entered service for the NMETL as tram number 5 on 13/10/1906. It was transferred to MMTB and renumbered as U class tram 206 on 1/8/1922. It was withdrawn from service in 1938 and was converted to a freight car. In November 1947 it was withdrawn from service as a spare freight car after a bad accident and remained in storage until March 1950 when it was scrapped.trams, tramways, freight tram, preston workshops, nmetl, tram 206

Black and white photograph of PCC class tram No 980 at Malvern Depot. Has an AETA tour sign on the front of the tram, indicating. The tram was built in 1950 by MMTB from equipment imported from the USA and a locally built body. See page 42 of Destination City 5th Edition for another photo of this tram in Glenferrie Road at Toorak Road in 1953.trams, tramways, pcc, malvern depot, aeta, tours, tram 980

Book - light grey covers + 8 pages on off white paper, centre stapled titled "Site for Housing Schemes - Considerations which should influence Selection", written by H. H. Bell, Chairman of the MMTB c1939, as it notes the recommendation to use diesel buses on the Bourke St routes. This was done following his overseas tour of 1938. Includes comments on housing schemes and transport in the UK, USA, Melbourne, diesel buses and fares.trams, tramways, public transport, buses, housing, bourke st, overseas tours

Article provides the operating background to the new type of bogie car then being built for the MMTB. Gives the design basis of the tram and has a side elevation of the tram. This type was known as the "W class" tramcar. Refers to the Electrical Engineer (item 6922) as the source of the drawingYields information about the Melbourne W class tram in 1925.Photocopy of an article titled "Melbourne adopts three-door car as standard" from the Electric Railway Journal of the USA, Vol 67, No. 10, page 402. tramways, tramcars, mmtb, melbourne, w class, design of new trams

Report or Paper - 10 foolscap sheets, stapled on left hand side titled "Linking the Horizons of City Public Passenger Transport". No details as who presented it or date. Possibly by MMTB Chairman Robert Risson as in his style. Latest date in the report is about wages - June 1958. Report looks at the history of Melbourne transport, the MMTB, passengers numbers, fares, congestion, trams buses, costs of buses vs trams. Also has notes on a comparison between the USA and Australia (Melbourne) including transport and restaurants. Quotes Arthur O'Connor former American Manager of the Australian Nation Travel Associationtrams, tramways, mmtb, melbourne, trams, public transport, costs, traffic control, road transport, buses

Pamphlet, 8 pages, bound with brass clips into a manila coloured cover, embossed cover with company's name and details titled "Cheatham Electric Switching Device Company - Manufacturers of the Cheatham Switch", giving details of the electric point switching equipment manufactured by the company based in Louisville Kentucky USA. Has illustrations of the equipment parts, details of the boxes and types. On the rear sheet has an illustration of a driver of Birney tram changing a set of points with a very long bar while passengers are boarding. Dated 1926.On top right of front cover in ink "GJ Special Work"trams, tramways, points, trackwork, electrical equipment

Memorandum - carbon copy - two foolscap sheets and one quarto sheet - titled "PCC Agreement", regarding the agreement between the MMTB and Transit Research Corporation of the USA regarding the licence to use PCC Equipment dated and initialled by R. J. Risson Chairman 20/1/1953. Seems to be some dispute over the holding of the licence with the TRC. Meeting attended by the former MMTB Manager (Operations) S. M. Richardson, Mr Bell Junior and Mr. Guice Acting Secretary. Notes Brisbane's work and the economic conditions in Australia at the time.trams, tramways, mmtb, pcc, new trams, agreements

Series of newspaper clippings about travelling on Melbourne trams, people, conductors, and what can happen. .1 - Newspaper clipping titled "Swanston Express", from The Age 18/5/1985 by Alan Fitzgerald, about travelling on a tram and being on the wrong tram to an unusual destination and the things that can happen. Based around the story that a person was supposed to fly to Oakland USA but finished up in Auckland NZ. .2 - ditto titled "Its not easy losing green", from The Herald, 12/12/81 written by Lawrence Money about the loss of the green W's and their quirks - like sand on the floor, ticket butts, trap doors, peep holes, Melbourne habitats, compared to the orange trams. .3 - Letter to the Editor "Keep our trams and buses green", written by R Francis head of the graphic design, Swinburne Institute of Technology - regarding the colour of our vehicles, heritage and the craze of having orange colours - industrial design. Dated 8/5/1982. .4 - Editorial, 17/1/1995 - titled "Other peoples' trams" - The Age, about the reliance on Melbourne trams by its people, comparison with other large cities e.g. St Petersburg, cost of running it, finishes with the view that the system should be extended.trams, tramways, melbourne, behaviour, tramways, crews, tramcars, people and places, sanding equipment, compressors, livery, colour schemes

Report - 5 quarto sheets, photocopied, titled "Trams are now big business", by Basil Silcove from the August 1980 issue of National Bank Monthly Summary about the growth of light rail systems, particularly after the 1973 oil crisis. Looks at the International Light Rail Commission, types of vehicles and specific countries - eg Austria, Australia (Adelaide, Melbourne, Campbelltown (Sydney), Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Europe in general, USA and USSR.trams, tramways, light rail, tramways, europe, usa, australian tramways

Set of four Newspaper clippings from The Age about the sale of tram to the USA and police investigations. Written mainly by Jacqui Macdonald Transport Reporter .1 - 11/2/1992 - "Police will investigate export of old trams" - details the export of trams to the US and whether the necessary permits were issued. Notes Gales Creek Enterprises, Paul class, Bill Hardwick, National Trust Chairman Don Gibson. .2 - 10/2/1992 - "Protected trams went to US without permits" - details the situation, also quotes David Clark and Michael Norbury (Hawthorn Tramways Trust), Alan Brown Opposition Transport Spokesman. Application had been made. Law changed in 1988. .3 - 21/7/1992 - "Police probe export of trams to the US'- quotes PTC spokesman Pat Wilson, does not believe it has broken the Law, gives details on the number of trams sold over years, quotes Alan Brown. .4 - 25/7/1992 - two items in the same cutting: (a) - "Delay will spoil tram sales says US buyer" written by Christopher Reed Los Angeles - quotes Paul Class, Alan Brown, details some of the cities the trams have been sold too. Also notes the trams in Werribee owned by Pat Keogh. (b) - :Historic trams rot as committees ponder their export" - with a photo of many trams and Pat Keogh - seems that they inadvertently owned them when the formal owner went bankrupt and owed them money. Notes the Federal Heritage Committee yet to make a decision. Includes tram W5 756.trams, tramways, sale of trams, w class, national trust, police, scrapped trams, tram 756

Set of two Christmas Cards prepared by Peter and Patti Duckett and sent to Keith Kings Printed photo on exterior with red printed ribbons, photo corners on inside with another photo and gold block print and the Duckett's address. Photographs by Peter Duckett or from his collection. Items not dated. .1 - card details the development of electric tramways, in particular Richmond Virginia USA and Hobart as early examples. Cover photo involves re-railing a derailed electric tram and the inside photo of shearing and punching rail for Hobart in 1893. .2 - similar to above, illustration of the Richmond Virginia USA tramway or street railway and a photo of Julien battery tram being demonstrated 16/11/1888 at Toorak. See also Reg item 5086 for another photo."To Keith" in ink.trams, tramways, christmas cards, hobart, electric traction, derailments, richmond, battery tram, duncan fraser

Used by General Electric Company of the USA to show that they manufactured the controller. Have been worn and "bashed" with possibly a controller key. One has been stamped "686" or "989".Demonstrates a General Electric Manufacturer's plate.Set of two brass manufacturer plates from the top of a General Electric tram controller. Each with four holes. tramways, trams, general electric, controllers

Magazine, published by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Victoria "Met Lines" (Metlines) - A4, printed on white gloss paper, with the MTA logo or symbol. Issued under the name of Kevin Shea as Chairman. Continues from Reg Item 1086 "Met Lines" - printed in an A4 version. Major tram and bus items listed. Tramway names only listed, not railway. .1 - Vol 3 - No. 1 - April 1987 - 20 pages - (See also Reg item 981 for more detail) - -Tramway Bowls Association, Melbourne and Metropolitan Transit band, Transporting Art featuring trams 731, 816 and 721 along with a photo of David Larwill working on 722, and painted trams co-ordinator , Wendy Miller and "20 million Americans see Melbourne and its trams" - a story about the NBC USA, breakfast broadcast on 4/2/1987. (further items of this volume to be sourced - they may not have been any??) For next volume - see Reg Item 1142.trams, tramways, transporting art, decorated trams, the met, mta, sports, bowls, tramways band, tram 2001, tram 129, tram 234, tram 50, tram 504, tram 871, tram 967, tram 223, tram 758

.1 - Photocopy of a two A4 page document titled "Australia's first "Noiseless" Tramcar" from the September 1, 1950 issue of Commonwealth Engineer. Report details the noise reducing features of PCC car 980, bogies, the car body with dimensions and its USA licence for the manufacture of such cars in the Australia. See also Reg Item 3420.11 for a similar report.trams, tramways, pcc class, pcc 980, new trams, tramcar design, bogies

Set of two black and white photographs printed on A4 sheets using a laser printer. .1 - W5 body under overhaul, Preston Workshops early 1980's - shows the tram with all fittings removed and cabins. .2 - W2 518 on a trailer at Preston workshops prior to shipment to Seattle. Not known whether the trailer went to the USA as well. Has a TV cameraman filming it. Images provided by John Prideaux with notes on .1 about the two images.Notes in ink re dates and information.trams, tramways, preston workshops, seattle, w5 class, w2 class, transporting trams

Providing GA drawings of the following: R1146 – General Data of Tramcars – 24-9-1924 PMTT 160 - PMTT Bogie closed car (O class) PMTT 161 - PMTT Combination car PMTT 162 – Summer car (old type) – F class PMTT 163 - PMTT Bogie car PMTT 164 – Summer car – G class PMTT – 700 – Bogie Car with dropped centre compartment and longitudinal rattan saloon seats R2461 – class W – W class converted to W2 R2460 – class W1 R2459 – class W2 R2462 – class X R2464 – class Y R2463 – class X1 R2465 - class Y1 R3071 - class W3 R3076 - class A R3077 - class G R8617 - class Sw6 and W6 R3078 - Class C R3080 – Class X2 R3093A - Class T R3812 - class W4 R4382 - class T - arrangement for one man operation R4646 - class Sw2 R4678B - class W5 R4771A - Class SW6 R5818 - class SW5 R5963 - class A - One man Coburg type R6928 - PCC Car - double end operation (based on a USA drawing) R7416 - class L R8332 - PCC Type car (980) R8999 - Class A tramcar Coburg type original R9601 - class CW5 R9529 - class W7 R9622 - Proposed SW6 car with front entrance R9980 - Freight car 17 R10-129 - class VR R11-333 - Class Z1 and Z2 trams R11-387 - class Z 0 outside dimensions R11-580 - class Z3 tram R12-052 - class W5 sliding door conversion R12-062 - class A tram Articulated tram - class B2Yields information about the MMTB fleet including scrapped trams and their General Arrangement.Album or Set of 41 A4 sheets, photocopied with the title "MMTB Electric Tramways".trams, tramways, drawings, tramcars, tramcar design, preston workshops, mmtb

Pamphlet - titled "The Melbourne W Class Tram" - supporting the retention of W class trams. Notes the replacement by Light rail vehicles, sale of W2's to the USA, with numerous quotes about the W class trams. Issued at the time of Premier Joan Kirner (1990 to 1992). Printed and issued by the PTUA, City Heritage Watch, Tramways Union and the National Trust.Yields information about efforts to retain the W class trams in service.Pamphlet - 2 fold - printed in green ink on white paper.w class, heritage, tram disposal., national trust

The photograph shows Collins St looking west from near Spring St. The CRA building built in 1962 was Melbourne's tallest building. Tram 523 is westbound running a route 12 service, Published by Murfett Publishers Melbourne, card No. P.142, Pastichrome printed in the USA.Yields information about Collins St c1965.Postcard - full colour, divided back.melbourne, postcard, collins st, cra buildiing, murfett, tram 523, w2 class, route 12, mmtb

Twenty page booklet, centre stapled, printed with photographs on glossy paper, titled "Public Transport Today; A brief World Survey", by F. Andrews of Queensland, late 1960's early 1970's. Looks at the current developments in light rail, tramways, transit lines, in North America, Continental Europe and the future in public transport. Has many photographs of tramways and tramcars. Two copies held.trams, tramways, public transport, tramways, europe, usa, canada

Thirty page booklet, centre stapled with colour covers, published by the International Union of Public Transport UITP, titled ""There is still time....to prevent traffic from strangling our towns" looking at the impact of motor vehicles on traffic congestion, solutions, graphs, photographs of tramways. Includes discussion on Transport Policies, and traffic planning in Washington DC. Provides maps, graphs and figures. Two copies held.trams, tramways, public transport, tramways, europe, usa, washington dc

Fifty Two page booklet, centre stapled with colour covers, published by the International Union of Public Transport UITP, titled "It's high time to put an end to traffic congestion" looking at the impact of motor vehicles on traffic congestion, solutions, graphs, photographs of tramways. Includes discussion on Transport Policies. Provides maps, graphs and figures. Two copies held.Both copies have a hand written label with "50c" written on it, positioned in the top left hand corner.trams, tramways, public transport, tramways, europe, usa

Research Report or Overseas Tour report, Half bound in green and black Rexene with mottled end papers, 222 pages (Gestetner printed single sided), typed report - titled "Report of H.H. Bell Chairman of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board on his overseas trip March - October 1938". Dated 31/1/1939. He was accompanied by Mr. R. A. Spencer the Board Secretary. Reg Item 3875 indicates that their wives travelled as well with them. Has an index, notes on his visits to five cities on his voyage to England, visits to 10 UK cities, Berlin, Paris and 12 USA and Canadian cities. Includes notes on buses, gas-producer engines, PCC trams, closure of tramways, technical notes, trolley buses, conversion of Bourke St cable tram routes, overhead, motors, engines and many other topics. Note pages scanned in particular have reference to Bourke St conversion and driving habits in the UK compared to Melbourne (road hogs). Inside front cover has a label from "Sands & McDougall Pty Ltd" about the job number and date of binding "6-3-1939" See Reg Item 3846 for a copy of the report re conversion of the cable tram routes and 3906 for an Oct. 1938 report on the PCC car to the Board.trams, tramways, mmtb, bourke st, conversion, double deck buses, tours, overseas tours, pcc, buses, trolley buses, uk, usa, canada

Met lines - Vol. 3, No. 1 April 1987, staff newspaper of the Metropolitan Transit Authority - 20 pages, A4 size when centre stapled, printed on gloss paper. Has tramway related items on: 1. Tramway Bowls Association 2. Melbourne and Metropolitan Transit band (see image i2) 3. Painted trams - a paying concern - Transporting Art featuring trams 731, 816 and 721 along with a photo of David Larwill working on 722, and painted trams co-ordinator , Wendy Miller. Story includes notes on the sale to Jim Johnson at an auction late 1986, notes on the project itself, and on page 13 - notes on interviews with Michael Leunig, Lesley Dumbrell and David Larwill. 4. "20 million Americans see Melbourne and its trams" - a story about the NBC USA, breakfast broadcast on 4/2/1987 when tram ?? - could not find an entry in the Vicsig listing of decorated trams.trams, tramways, transporting art, decorated trams, the met, mta, sports, bowls, tramways band, tram 731, tram 816, tram 721, tram 722