PCC 980 was an all-electric tram prototype built by the MMTB to demonstrate a tram based on a USA design. Only one was built due to import restrictions at the time.Yields information about the tram soon after its completion.Photograph, Black and White, of the PCC 980 at Preston Workshops June 1950. Print and photograph by Sutcliffe of 94 Elizabeth St Melbourne.Has Sutcliffe Pty Ltd stamp on rear - No. 8853. In ink on the rear: "M&MTB PCC-980, Preston W/S June 1950" tramways, tramcars, pcc class, tram 980, preston workshops, new trams, trams

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

Has photos of various locations and lines within USA and Canada, Chicago, Vancouver, Le High Valley, Montreal, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Connecticut, Lake Shore, New York, Brooklyn, San Diego, Pittsburgh, South Bend, Sacramento & Northern, Little Rock, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Jamestown, Monongahela, Atlantic City, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Gary and North Shore. Includes images of cable cars in Chicago, San Francisco. PCC car 7022 of Baltimore image includedHas a strong association with Wal Jack and his collecting of tramway history / developments until 1964.Floor pattern covered album with black paper inside covers holding some 21 sheets of card on which photos have been mounted using photo corners of various types, captions in white ink. Has punched holes on the left hand side but was not bound with cord at the time of acquisition. Parts of the album originally started as a the Melbourne album and remnants of photos hinges and notes left on the sheets. Has some 142 black and white photographs. Has some loose photographs.trams, tramways, usa, canade

This photograph shows what is possibly a longer Birney electric tram with two trolley poles and pram/bicycle carrying frame at front. On the tram is painted 'No Passengers Training car' and on the destination display 'Take Next Car'. At the side of the roadway is an industrial/retain area.Postcard with black and white photograph photo of tram on one side and stamps and biro written message on rear. Message from 'Marg' in Canada to Cotter Family in Pascoe Vale South. Full message about trip to USA by plane.san francisco, tram, birney, driver training, postcard