Report and photographs of various mechanisms to identify and check clearances for Safety Zones on tramways. .1 - Report - 4 pages stapled in top left hand corner - titled "Interim Report - Nicholson Street Safety Bars", dated 20/6/1978 signed by R. G. Vanselow. Describes the work involved in providing a type of "jiggle bars" leading up to the safety zone. Many photographs of the various types of safety zone marks were included within the folder. The photos of 912 are related to the clearance testing carried out during 1973 for the Z class. See also Reg Item 480? .2 - tram 912 fitted with a wooden device to measure clearances - with a concrete safety zone being checked. .3 - tram 1040 in Bourke St with a Safety Zone sign on the left - King St? .4 - tram and traffic at the Bourke St terminus. .5 - not used. .6 - tram 1000 at ditto on a wet day .7 - as for .2 .8 - ditto .9 - ditto .10 - side on view of W2 447 with a concrete prow fitted with a set of flashing lights. .11 - to .15 - series of large prints of enlarged 35mm negatives of night testing of safety zone sign taken at South Melbourne Depot and in St Kilda Road. .16 Bourke St - looking west at Russell St? with caption "prow replacing type 2 (Hairpin sign) with both original (white) and new MCC (Yellow) line marking on approach". .17 - Bourke St - looking west at Kings St and caption "Prow replacing type 2 (Hairpin sign) with original line marking on approach. .16 and .17 taken on Polaroid Instamatic cameras.Some of the photos have captions written on the rear.trams, tramways, tram stops, bourke st, safety zone, testing, z class, safety, tram 912, tram 1040, tram 1000, tram 447

Series of six black and white photographs of fire trucks being tested for the roll over characteristics. .1 - .3 - Metropolitan Fire Brigade Board (Melbourne - MFBB) appliance or fire truck or pumper, being tested at Preston Workshops. Based on the number plate in .1 - c1969 - 1970 see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Victoria (accessed 22/4/2020) The facility appears to be long enough to test a bus, but appears to be one that was stored and then brought out for use. .4 to .6 are of testing a UK truck on a more dedicated facility. .7 - workers, some ex MFB workshops possibly, winching ropes. A copy of the Newsletter of the Fire Services Museum of Vic. 9/2021 featured some of these photos. Item stored in box 192 with the photographs.trams, tramways, preston workshops, mfbb, testing

Series of seven black and white photographs of Resilient wheels at the Preston Workshops. .1 - General view of the truck shop showing wheels completed and partially dismantled. .2 - showing a complete wheel axle with gear. (not imaged) .3 - showing a complete wheel and journal .4 - showing the various components set out. .5 - "Manufacture of one of jigs for new resilient wheels - MMTB design No. 2" .6 - detail of the one of the outer components. .7 - detail of another component that appears to have been damaged.trams, tramways, preston workshops, wheels, resilient wheels, testing, trucks

Series of 7 black and white photographs of the traffic congestion in the CBD during 1951. .1 - Flinders St from Flinders St Station office looking northwest with a W2 317 Richmond route 28 and many cars. Has "32" on rear in pencil. Has Snows and the SEC building in the view. .2 - Spencer St bridge, looking north with Fish Market/Cool Stores and the VR Head Office in the view. Has Taylor and ? General Carriers and Nestle's truck in the view. .3 - William St? with passengers waiting at a safety zone - has the Dennys Lascelles building in the background. .4 - Flinders St looking north east with Snows, the SEC, a Hotel and Hearnes sign showing. Has a W2 436? route 27 Hawthorn eastbound. Typed on rear "Enlargement of No. 76, Sheet No. 28 (report P25/1/8), "Spare" written in pencil and "For Testing Engrs 1/11/51" in ink. .5 - looking north with a horse drawn cart and a SW6 (East Kew) with dash canopy lighting. .6 - looking north - with Hearnes Provisions, Olympia Inn and Coffee Lounge and Young & Jacksons Hotel. Has a W2 partly in the photo about to enter the Safety Zone. ..7 - similar to .1 - with Snows, W2 route 48 North Balwyn and a Pattons Dry Cleaning van. See also Reg 4519 for another 7 photos of the same series.trams, tramways, traffic control, congestion, flinders st, spencer st, route 27, route 28, east kew, richmond, route 48, william st, safety zone, hawthorn, tram 317, tram 436

Series of 6 black and white photographs of work in the Nicholson St bus workshops of staff at work. Possibly c1940. .1 - three workers, possibly apprentices working on engine blocks with a supervisor/manager in a suit looking on. .2 - with a crank shaft and other equipment. .3 - motor on a stand with piston rods in the background. .4 - possibly the or "testing" room with a fluid being tested? .5 - An engine part (end block) on a "Central Garage" trolley. .6 - Battery room. All stamped "Sutcliffe Pty Ltd of 94 Elizabeth St Melbourne" with a sequence number on rear.trams, tramways, buses, nicholson st, workshops

Series of 2 black and white photographs of the finishing off and testing of tram 1041. .1 - Internal view with conductors desk and workmen possibly installing the glazing sections or cleaning the tram. .2 - weights laid out on the floor to simulate a full passenger load for braking tests.trams, tramways, 1041, prototype tramcar, new tramcars, tramcar bodies, preston workshops, testing, interiors, tram 1041

Series of three Mounted black and white photograph - rail. .1 - close up or high definition of two sections of rail - showing metallurgical structure and failure in one case. Cast numbers 100 and 103 have been written under the respective photographs. .2 - as above for cast Number 54 - showing failure, possibly after testing. .3 - two sections of grooved rail which has been bent around the vertical web without failure. All have a date stamp in top right hand corner "2 Nov 1923" - the three could be another numeral.trams, tramways, rails, testing

Set of five colour slides, white/red cardboard, Duplicates by Pacific Film Laboratories of tram 912 in the City area testing clearances around safety zones, as part of the development of the Z class tram. Done on a Sunday morning. .1 - Bourke St showing the various equipment or protrusions attached to the tram in order to test clearances to safety zones at crossings. .2 - about to travel through a crossover. .3 - using the Queen or William St crossover. Tram has adverts for Tolleys Brandy and PGF Golf clubs. .4 - ditto - with tram 1021 running a route 97 to North Fitzroy Park St. .5 - ditto- with adverts for Williamson Real Estate and All Saints winery. See also Reg Item 3795 for Black and White and Reg Item 4611 for photos of the event and the use of car 1018.All have a running number "1204" to "1208" and "912" written on the slide.trams, tramways, sw6 class, testing, safety zone, bourke st, safety, z class, north fitzroy, route 97, tram 912

Set of four colour slides, white cardboard, by Kodak, of trams 912 and 1018 in the City area testing clearances around safety zones, as part of the development of the Z class tram. Done on a Sunday morning. .1 - 912 in Flinders St with Flinders St station, platform 1 west in the background - slide dated May 1973. .2 - tram 1018, without the tram protrusion on the top of the car body as in 912 at Victoria Parade and Brunswick St. Tram 644, City Brunswick St, in the background. In the back is Eastern Hill Fire Station. .3 - as above. Has advertising for Amoco Petrol and White Horse Whiskey .4 - 1018 in Brunswick St returning to Preston Workshops. Has St Patrick's Cathedral. Slides 2 and 3 are dated June 1973.All have a running number "1202" and "1218", "1219" and "1221" and "1018" written on the slide.trams, tramways, w7 class, sw6 class, flinders st, testing, safety zone, bourke st, safety, z class, brunswick st, victoria parade, tram 1018

Letters - set of 5 and one report titled "Rail Scrubbing" between the Victorian Railways Chief Engineer Way and Works and Mr. Strickland, Chief Engineer MMTB about the effectiveness of scrubbing with 40HP and 50 HP motors and the number of scrubbing blocks. Includes an extensive report on tests done in Miller St Preston with scrubber No. 4, Feb. 1933. Letters dated 8/2/1933 to 3/2/1933.trams, tramways, scrubber tram, vr, st kilda brighton, testing, tram 5

Set of two 35mm Kodak white cardboard colour slide by Keith Kings of: .1 - W2 600 testing the diverted track at St Kilda Jtn. Sunday 10/12/1967. Looking south See Keith's notes as well. Track welding being carried out. Tram showing Special. In the background are signs for Castrol, Speedie Electrical Appliances. .2 - W5 812 and W2 521 on the temporary track following the first diversion for the construction of the new bridge works looking north. Also see Keith's notes. 812 has adverts for wax and Harold's diamonds.Keith Kings stamp and number "14-23" and "14-28"", with details of exposure. .1 - "MMTB St Kilda Jtn bypass works. W2 600 as the test tram after the St Kilda Junction by Pass, No. 1 diversion trying out the south bound temporary track 3.03pm, Sunday 10/12/67. The North bound track tried out at approx. 12.40pm: .2 - "MMTB 521 (route 64 - City) and 812 (route 64 - East Brighton and Malvern Burke Road) on temporary track at St Kilda Jtn bypass. Note sharpness of curves and very limited transitions and tangents. Looking north. 10/12/1967trams, tramways, st kilda junction, trackwork, road works, w2 class, w5 class, route 64, east brighton, tram 600, tram 521, tram 812

Set of five Colour slides, Kodak, white cardboard mount of track laying and the construction of the Flinders Street overpass during November 1959. .1 - Photo showing the tram line in the pre location position with the new track over the first stage of the overpass read to be cut in. 15/11/1959. Tram running a route 46. Keith notes - 317 to Spencer St terminus in Flinders St from Cnr of Spencer with temporary track ready for trams on the overpass. .2 - track being tested on 21/11/1959 - has the Flinders St station and signal gantry in the background. On the bridge is a sign for Coffey Ford. Keith notes - 903 stranded on temporary track as test car for Kings St bridge overpass Flinders St between William and Market Sts. .3 - tram 903 testing the track, has a number of workers in the view - 22/11/1959 Keith's notes - 903 first tram (on its second use) testing Flinders St overpass track and approach curves on east side. .4 - trams 939 (route 46) and 350 (route 27, Spencer St) at the east end of the new bridge with people watching. Note the "cars stop here" on the orange pole near the bottom of the ramp. 22/11/1959 Keith's notes - 939 - first passenger tram over Flinders St overpass on return journey and 350 second passenger tram. .5 - tram 939 first passenger car over the bridge at the western end of the new bridge with many workers in the background. Also Markillies Hotel. Also shows the reinforcing in the side of the bridge for the next section of the bridge to be built following this stage. 22/11/1959 Keith's notes - 939 first passenger tram over Flinders St overpass over King St. Slide Number K(l)(287), K(m)(275), K(m)(278), K(m)(287), K(m)(282) respectively.Extensive handwriting on rear in ink giving the photographic details of exposure.trams, tramways, flinders st, track equipment, track construction, trackwork, route 46, testing, king st, tram 371, tram 903, tram 939, tram 350

Book - heavy card covers with light brown cloth cover, 32 pages, sewn into glued end or cover sheets, titled "Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways /Curriculum of Training for Electric Car Drivers". Book has rounded corners. Issued 1955, has a detail contents index. Sets up the training process, trainer drivers, driver certificates, follow ups, road tests, probationary drivers, training syllabus, training school (at Hawthorn) and procedures and physical standards for tram drivers. See Reg item 882 for the 1960 version.trams, tramways, mmtb, drivers, training, instructions, motormen, hawthorn, medical

Set of 44 colour prints of photos taken by Roy Mitchell between 1979 and 2005 For a listing of the prints see htd5640list.pdf. Word file and scanning by Mal Rowe For individual photo images see: hawthtramcoll\photo_collections\htd5640-Roy_Mitchell-PartB images 25 to 69 and Roy Mitchell photos.docx Roy Mitchell photos.pdf RoyM25_Citadis-test-run_Plenty Rd_9Sep2001_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM26_Citadis-test-run_Plenty Rd_9Sep2001_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM27_3536_Glenferrie Rd_14Aug2004_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM28_3513_Swanston St_4Aug2004_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM29_3028_Brunswick St-siding_14Dec2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM30_1021_Park St_StKilda_24Dec2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM31_Berlin3007_Moomba_Swanston St_11Mar2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM32_Milan1692_Moomba_Swanston St_11Mar2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM33_3004_LaTrob eSt_11Mar2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM34_3004-under-test_Spencer St_29Jan2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM35_862_LaTrobe St_24Dec2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM36_018_Docklands_20Jan2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM37_018_Flinders St_20Jan2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM38_018_Simpson St-shunt_22Jan2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM39_018_Docklands_22Jan2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM40_946_Docklands-from-Flinders St_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM41_946_Park St_St Kilda 8Feb2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM42_282_Box Hill_4May2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM43_282_Box Hill_4May2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM44_Box Hill_looking west_4May2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM45_3501_S tKilda_18Jun2003_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM46_Box Hill_14Aug2004_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM47_3030-arriving-Box Hill_14Aug2004_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM48_1027_Dockland sDve_9Jan2005_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM49_939-442-937_Flinders St_5Mar2005_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM50_1019_LaTRobe St-HarbourEsplanade_3Aug2005_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM51_856-1039_Spring St_29Jul2009__Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM52_209-2119_Carlisle-Acland Sts_30Jul1994__Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM53_106_Spencer St_1May1994__Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM54_1000_Bourke St_28April1994_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM55_V214_Spring-Flinders St_28Apr1994_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM56_231_Carlisle St_30Jul1994_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM57_5013_StKilda_LX-safety_29Jul2009_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM58_CollinsSt-bridge-from-Docklands_29Jul2009_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM59_104 Fitzroy St_1992_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM60_431_Spencer-into-Bourke St_28Apr1994_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM61_380_Spencer St_1May1994__Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM62_186-10W_Batman Ave_30Jul1994_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM63_64_Nicholson St_11Jan1978_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM64_164_Simpson St-shunt_26Jan1981_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM65_164_Simpson St-shunt_26Jan1981_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM66_676_Batman Ave_1979_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM67_603_Batman Ave_Oct1974_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM68_2119_Spencer St_23Aug2002_Roy Mitchell.jpg RoyM69_151_Swanston St_23Aug2002_Roy Mitchell.jpgAll have information written on the rear of the photo by the photographer and the donor.trams, tramways, testing, c class, glenferrie rd, swanston st, brunswick st, park st, berlin, milan, moomba, la trobe st, spencer st, flinders st, simpson st, docklands, box hill, carlisle st, restaurant tram, harbour esplanade, spring st, acland st, bourke st, fitzroy st, batman ave, nicholson st, porto, tram 3536, tram 3513, tram 3028, tram 1021, tram 3007, tram 1692, tram 3004, tram 862, tram 018, tram 946, tram 282, tram 3030, tram 1027, tram 442, tram 939, tram 937, tram 1019, tram 856, tram 1039, tram 209, tram 2119, tram 106, tram 1000, tram 214, tram 231, tram 5013, tram 104, tram 431, tram 380, tram 187, tram 10w, tram 64, tram 164, tram 676, tram 603, tram 2119, tram 151

1 - No. 51 - 19/12/2012 - 8 pages - new CEO of Yarra Trams, 3 years of KDR, myki system, end of Metcards, route 96 news, new look for Domain interchange in 2013, ticketing testing using tram 240 and item on Michael Sainsbery about the new ticketing system. 2 - No. 58 - 24/4/2013 new Domain Interchange, Minister Mulder, the Rhino return and driver training. 3 - No. 76 - 15/1/2014 "Star Power for the Open" Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, changes to route 75, E class, and super Saturday - 4/1/2014 - punctuality exceeded 90%. Demonstrates Yarra trams staff newsletters. Set of 3 Yarra Trams internal newsletter "The Wire", All A4, printed in full colour. All four pages unless noted otherwise, full colour, performance snapshot on front cover on first two issues.yarra trams, domain interchange, e class, route 96, tennis, route 75, metcard, myki

Black and White Photograph of W 375 on the depot fan of the new South Melbourne Car Depot, Hanna St. Possibly before the South Melbourne depot was completed - testing and very little roof cladding. Possibly early Oct. 1925. Photo titled "Where Traffic Leviathans Rest" Compare to 5824 where the roof has been completed. One a set of cards made for the 70th anniversary of South Melbourne Depot - has the anniversary logo stamp on the rear.trams, tramways, x1 class, new trams, south melbourne, hanna st depot, tram 375

Australasian Post report on tramways and in particular Melbourne and their use in other places in the world. Notes Melbourne's cable system and how it operated. At the time only Adelaide was the only other Australian operator. Features photos of Melbourne's trams along with Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne 1041, Stuttgart, Gothenburg. Written by George Hart. On page 16 is a cartoon by Ken Maynard about drink driving and blood alcohol testing. Also has a story of an absent-minded professor and his problem of getting his fare out of his pocket on a Melbourne tram.Yields information about Melbourne's tramways and its place in the world.Set of 8 pages with centre staple remaining from the Australasian Post 10/3/1977australasian post, tramways, cable trams, melbourne, ken maynard, stories

Framed photograph of a series of 17 photographs assembled by Ray Marsh to record Malvern Driver Ron Scholten's 25 years of service. Photographs include: , Malvern Tram Depot, 896 on a Special, 937 as the Restaurant Tram 02, Cable car set possibly Bylands, 2055 and 2017, 11 W on an extension, 862 in the city, View from Flinders St with a city circle car, Y611, 58 and other Z's in Swanston St, Siemens test tram at Flinders St station, C on Port Melbourne, Siemens Test Tram and 3010, Siemens Test tram, 3019 at Box Hill, MTram 3504 in Swanston St with St Patricks behind.On top left of rear "Designed by Ray Marsh" in pencil.trams, tramways, drivers, siemens, testing, flinders st, tram 896, tram 937, tram 2055, tram 2017, tram 11w, tram 862, tram y611, tram 58, tram siemens test tram, tram 3010, tram 3019, tram 3504

Book - heavy card covers with brown cloth cover, 32 pages, sewn into glued end or cover sheets, titled "Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways /Curriculum of Training for Electric Car Drivers" - 1960 version. Notes first issued 1955, revised 1960. Book has rounded corners. Sets up the training process, trainer drivers, driver certificates, follow ups, road tests, probationary drivers, training syllabus, training school (at Hawthorn) and procedures and physical standards for tram drivers. See Reg item 1210 for the 1955 version.Minor inktrams, tramways, mmtb, drivers, training, instructions, motormen, hawthorn, medical

Set of two prints showing the equipment used for sound testing of trams crossing a H or right angle crossing. The sound recording equipment is mounted in the back of a station wagon (Ford?). Printed on Kodak paper.on the rear in ink "Sound testing @crossing PWS circa 1977"trams, tramways, mmtb, testing, trackwork

Set of seven black and white prints of prototype tram 1041, during its first days of commissioning and testing in the city and on the Wattle Park route. All printed on Kodak paper. .1 - at Preston workshops, showing City, route 088 .2 - ditto .3 - ditto - 2nd copy added from donation of Geoff Warburton added 10/10/17. .4 - In Riversdale Road, Wattle Park, showing W. Park Elgar Rd, route 070. .5 - ditto, but showing special and route 000 - trees behind the tram had been faded out. .6 - turning out of Bourke St into Spring St with destination of E. Brunswick, route 96. Has been painted with words "Welcome Board" and "Enter here" on front door. Has the Windsor hotel in the background. Second trolley retriever fitted as well. .7 as for .5 but at a different location. 2nd copy of .3 added 10/10/17.4 - notes to remove pole, ext and I HT and grating on rear along with a sketch of the tram outline and number 16. .6 - on rear "9 3/4 x 6 1/8" .7 on front of the photo "9 3/4" x 6 1/4" in felt pen. .3 - second copy "1041-Preston-3-MMTB" in pencil on rear.trams, tramways, mmtb, prototype tramcar, 1041, riversdale rd, wattle park, preston workshops, tram 1041

Provides publicity photographs of the prototype PCC tram 1041, that lead to the construction of the Z class trams.Yields information about prototype tram 1041Set of four colour prints and one black and white print of prototype tram 1041 on Riversdale Road, with Wattle Park in the background, second half of 1973, during commissioning and testing phase. .1 - tram showing special and route 000 - has been printed so that the background above the tram has been partly faded. Both printed on Kodak Paper. .2 - tram showing W. Park - Elgar Rod, route 070 - two copies .3 - similar to .2, at different location with park in background. Printed on Kodak paper. .4 - same as .1 - Has PTC copyright stamp on rear and number 3953 - better colour. .5 - black and white print - with PTC stamp and number 3953.tramways, trams, mmtb, prototype tramcar, tram 1041, riversdale road, wattle park

The three cuttings illustrate the use of resilient wheels and the introduction of the PCC class car No. 980. Photos shows how the wheels were constructed, sound testing, the new tram itself and a reporters trip on the tram. Quotes Mr Risson, Mr Ireland (Workshop Manager), Ken Hall, Assistant Works Manager. Items not formally dated - late 1950.Yields information about provision of resilient wheels and the PCC tram.Set of three newspaper cuttings about the introduction of "quiet" and the PCC car for Melbourne. 1 - "Quiet Tram Secrets" 2 - "Melbourne's New Silent Tram" 3 - "Treat to be on the PCC" - The Suntramways, trams, mmtb, pcc class, tram 980, resilient wheels, preston workshops, silent trams

Photo - see pdf file for further information. Number Brief Description RSC1 PCC 1041 at the gates of Preston Workshops on a test run without it’s trolley retriever RSC2 PCC 1041 in Glenhuntly Road on Route 67 en route to Carnegie crossing the Railway Gates at Glenhuntly Station RSC3 W2 482 stored at Malvern Depot with Olympic Park on the Destination RSC4 Cable Car Set 64 in Swanston St outside Princess Bridge Station in Bound with open top Double Deck Bus, Trak Motors ? Departing from Flinders St Station RSC5 W3 669 in St George Rd at Sumner St en route to Preston Workshops for scrapping RSC6 Cable Car in Lygon St en route to Carlton RSC7 PCC 1041 turning from St Georges Rd into Miller St to enter Preston Workshops RSC8 Flinders St Station with cable cars RSC9 PCC 1041 in strife on it’s maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC10 Flinders St at William St with Cable Cars RSC11 L 104 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot on a TMSV tour RSC12 Cable Set 1 after it’s restoration at Preston Workshops on the fan near the front gate RSC13 X1 466 at a suburban terminus of the Footscray System RSC14 X2 680 at Point Ormond Terminus RSC15 An ex Launceston Tram at the outside terminus of the Penny Royal Complex Tramway in Launceston RSC16 Q 148 at Preston Workshops awaiting disposal RSC17 Elizabeth St with Cable Cars RSC18 Elizabeth and Bourke St corner outside the GPO with cable cars RSC19 Collins St with Cable Cars RSC20 A photo taken from the observation deck of the ICI building showing a view of Parliament house with a w class tram in Nicholson St RSC21 Auburn Horse car with a posed photo of all the tramwaymen employed RSC22 Cheltenham Double Deck Horsecar with a full load of passengers RSC23 City of Northcote cable trailer 3 at a terminus RSC24 City of Northcote Cable cars passing in High St Northcote RSC25 St Kilda Rd at Princes Bridge with Cable Cars RSC26 Flinders St with Cable Cars RSC27 Cable Cars RSC28 Bourke St looking towards Elizabeth St from Queen St RSC29 Cable cars in Bourke St at Elizabeth St looking East RSC30 Cable cars in Elizabeth St at the terminus at Flinders St RSC31 Cable cars in Bourke St at Swanston St looking west RSC32 Cable cars in Swanston St at Flinders St looking North RSC33 Cable cars in Collins St near Russell St RSC34 Cable cars in Elizabeth St at Bourke St RSC35 Cable cars in Collins St at Elizabeth St RSC36 Cable Cars in Swanston St at Flinders St RSC37 Cable cars in Collins St RSC38 Cable Cars RSC39 Cable cars in St Kilda Rd near Princes Bridge RSC40 Cable cars in Collins St East of Swanston St RSC41 Cable cars in Spring St outside Parliament house RSC42 K 92 in M&MTB Chocolate and cream livery but with a P&MTT Destination box on Route 14 RSC43 Thornbury depot viewed from Miller St and St Georges rd. Two W2 class cars are laying over between the peaks RSC44 Z3 201 in Met Livery passes D1 3510 in new M Tram livery. A Staff member in uniform stands in the doorway. Dandenong Rd RSC45 D1 3530 advertising Heinekin Super Golf on Route 55 in Royal Park RSC46 D1 3504 in M Tram livery on the reserved track in Matthews Ave near Essendon Airport showing Route 81 Travancore . I suspect it is a private enthusiasts charter due to the Malvern W class run number in the rear windscreen RSC47 D1 3504 on Route 64 in Dandenong Rd in M Tram Livery RSC48 D1 3504 in M Tram Livery at Airport West Terminus RSC49 D1 3504 in M Tram Livery in Union Rd outside the Showgrounds RSC50 D1 3504 at West Maribyrnong Terminus in M Tram Livery RSC51 D1 3503 in M Tram Livery in Malvern Depot RSC52 SW6 960 and VR 53 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC53 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC54 VR 53 & B 2042 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC55 VR 53 & C 3016 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC56 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC57 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC58 Hawthorn Tramways Trust Lettering on HTT 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC59 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC60 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC61 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC62 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC63 W2 516 and another on route 59 wait to shunt at Essendon Airdrome Terminus as W2 571 on route 49 departs. This was the last day of operation. RSC64 Australia’s First Electric Tram at Box Hill with Tramwaymen including H J Hilton who is in the centre RSC65 W2 484 en route to St Kilda Junction and another wait for passengers after a race meeting at Caulfield Racecourse RSC66 X1 463 on the Footscray system en route to Russell St RSC67 Geelong 35 on Chilwell Route, Formerly HTT 13, M&MTB 119, then Bendigo 1 and Ballarat 37 RSC68 P&MTT 4 on Opening Day of the system in Glenferrie Rd RSC69 Bendigo 6 in McCrae St near the Depot end route to North Bendigo RSC70 P&MTT 4 in Glenferrie on opening day of the System RSC71 Scrubber 3 stripped and awaiting scrapping at Preston Workshops RSC72 Scrubber 4 at South Melbourne Depot RSC73 Q 191 & 139 at Preston Workshops awaiting scrapping RSC74 Rail Grinder 3 at Preston Workshops as purchased from Sydney RSC75 Y 469 waits to shunt at Wattle Park Terminus as Y1 613 departs on driver training duties RSC76 VR 53 on the outside roads at Essendon Depot RSC77 W5 796 with three doors and square windows running out of Brunswick Depot in Cameron St, with a supplementary destination board showing “City via Swanston St” RSC78 W2 258 on the wheel grinder road at Brunswick depot RSC79 X2 676 on a TMSV tour, W5 817 & 836 & VR 53 on the open roads at Essendon Depot RSC80 PCC 1041 on test, passes W71035 in High St Preston RSC81 D1 class production number 7 as delivered on test in Matthews Ave RSC82 W2 383 on route 5 turning from the reserved track in Dandenong Rd into St Kilda Rd at St Kilda Junction RSC83 Z3 204 as advertising tram for Vodaphone Grand Prix running into Malvern Depot new shed RSC84 Z1 4 on test in St Georges Rd RSC85 PCC 1041 on Route 96 in Burke St near Exhibition St RSC86 Z1 3 without numbers on test turning from Miller St in St Georges Rd RSC87 Track components stored in Coldblo Rd at Malvern Depot with Z class cars adjacent RSC88 D1 3501 in M Tram Livery on Route 55 in Peel St at Franklin St RSC89 C 3001 in Yarra Trams Livery Porto 018 & D13502 in M Tram Livery on Display in Harbourside Esplanade RSC90 D1 class tram production number 7, in as delivered condition on test in Matthews Ave RSC91 D1 3503 inside Malvern Depot RSC92 SW6 955 and W6 974 in St Kilda at City Rd at Dusk RSC93 Freight Car 19 at Preston Workshops in green Livery RSC94 Rail Grinder 3 in green Livery at South Melb Per Way Yard RSC95 A SW6 class car on route 50 shunting at Elizabeth St Terminus at night, taken from Flinders St Station RSC96 W2 588 & 435 in St Kilda Rd at Batman Ave RSC97 Y1 613 in service at Wattle Park Terminus RSC98 W2 588 in Wellington Parade en-route to the City with a Grand Final Load of passengers followed closely by 384 RSC99 W2 558 on a MCG Footy Special entering the Simpson St sidings RSC100 W3 657 & an L Class in the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC101 Y1 613 in St Kilda Rd on an enthusiasts tour in St Kilda Rd south of St Kilda jun RSC102 Y1 613 on an enthusiasts tour in Clarendon St with the two extra tracks on the Viaduct under construction RSC103 W6 976 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC104 W7 1024 as an advertising car for Bank of NSW at the route 1 terminus at South Melb Beach RSC105 PCC 980 on route 96 in Nicholson St near North Fitzroy Depot RSC106 SW6 890 with dash canopy lighting in Market St on the opening day of William St Services RSC107 W2 444 with big numbers heads a line of footy specials in Simpson St Sidings RSC108 Cable Cars in Elizabeth St RSC109 NMEL&T co 2 with a trailer outside the power station in Mount Alexander Rd RSC110 Alf Twentyman’s cable car set in his Northcote backyard RSC111 Cable Cars in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC112 Cable cars in Collins St outside the Townhall RSC113 PCC 1041 at Carnegie terminus RSC114 Cable cars in Elizabeth St RSC115 Cable cars in Collins St near Swanston St RSC116 HTT 19 turns from Riversdale Rd into Camberwell Rd at Camberwell Junction RSC117 W1 419 official builders photo of first car of the class RSC118 Cable car with a full load of passengers RSC119 W1 422 illuminated for the visit of T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of York RSC120 PCC 1041 in strife on it’s maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC121 Bendigo birney in Finn St near North Bendigo terminus RSC122 SW6 in St Kilda Rd at Domain Rd at night RSC123 All 3 of Alf Twentyman’s cable cars in his Northcote backyard RSC124 Cable trailer 256 being unloaded into the shed at Bylands RSC125 Cable grip car 1 being removed from the Melbourne Museum RSC126 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC127 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC128 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC129 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC130 W class car in Swanston St at Collins St RSC131 Y1 469, L & W3 on the run out of Glenhuntly Depot on a tour RSC132 W7 1024 as an advertising tram for Bank of NSW at Clifton Hill RSC133 W2 496 on a footy special in Simpson St Sidings RSC134 W2 as originally converted to a test car at Preston Workshops RSC135 W3 667 in Brunswick Depot with Ellen Butland at the controls RSC136 W3 669 on it’s final run at Victoria Prd & Brunswick St RSC137 W2 571 in Wellington Prd at Clarendon St with a Footy Final load of Passengers RSC138 Y1 613 shunts at Spencer St Terminus as X217 waits on Australia Day Pageant RSC139 PCC 1041 on Rt 96 in Burke St outside the Southern Cross Hotel RSC140 890 with accident damage on the outside roads at Preston Workshops c1978 RSC141 535 on Rt 4 at the old St Kilda Jun c1967 RSC142 1041 on Rt 88 turns from Bourke St into Spring St 1973 RSC143 102 on a tour at Albert Park Beach Terminus Feb 1972 RSC144 833, 835 & 834 in the shed at Malvern Depot c1976 RSC145 281 in Wellington Parade on a football very crowded special c1974 RSC146 464 Ballarat Rd 1960 RSC147 181 Explosives Fty - at Footscray Station - July 1960 RSC148 181 Williamstown Road 1960 RSC149 Cable car set at Alf Twentyman’s c1970 RSC150 X 217 at Malvern Depot c1970 RSC151 X1 465 and T181 Footscray Football ground in Barkly St. c1960 RSC152 Scrubber 5 at South Melbourne depot c1960 RSC153 X1 465 Footscray to Russell St, c1960 RSC154 X1 467 Leeds St Footscray 1960 RSC155 PMTT 4 Glenferrie Road, 1910 RSC156 S 164 at Malvern Depot c1970 RSC157 T178 Footscray c1960 RSC158 Cleaner No. 7 at South Melbourne depot c1960 RSC159 Two Y classes at Princes Bridge / Batman Ave mid 1950s RSC160 Swanston St – Nu color vue slide – M142 Demonstrates the work of Ron Scholten in photography, collection and/or production of duplicate slidesAssembled album in a black presentation folder of 160 colour slides, 8 slide sleeves, collected or produced by Ron Scholten. Many are TMSV or Windsor Publications slides. All photographs have been scanned and placed on the Museum's G drive. A list of all photographs with details has been compiled. melbourne, tramways, trams, cable trams

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.

This booklet relates the life of Basil Watson. It tells in detail his early life, background, his home built aeroplane, his display flights and his tragic death and the story since. This year marks 100 years since one of Australia’s pioneering aviators, Basil Watson arrived in Warrnambool and delivered the first airmail to the town. Basil Watson was born in Bendigo in 1894. His interest in aviation which began at a young age, took him to England at the commencement of WW1 where he worked at Brookland in aviation workshops and as a test pilot. Despite crashing and suffering injuries he was not deterred. He returned to Australia and by 1916 Basil had built his own plane. He soon took to the air performing tricks and barnstorming to the delight of onlookers. His connection to Warrnambool lies with his delivery of the first airmail to the town, an event which was filled with much excitement. Basil Watson, pioneer aviator landed his 50hp home built aeroplane on the racecourse on Saturday January 27th 1917, after a flight from Point Cook. The trip of 166 miles took just under two hours, and set a record non-stop cross country flight for Australia. Watson was heartily welcomed by the Mayor, to whom he delivered three letters, the first aerial post to Warrnambool. One of the letters, from the Mayor of Melbourne Sir David Hennessy to the Mayor of Warrnambool is now in the W&DHS collection: I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we, over the Commonwealth, will be able to fly from one State to the other. With best wishes for the New Year. Yours truly, DV Hennessy. Basil Watson was unfortunately killed two months after his historic visit to Warrnambool. While participating in an air show at Point Cook, the plane he way flying that day crashed into the sea. This booklet tells the story of an interesting part of Warrnambool and Australia's aviation history. It has special significance as it enlightens two significant items in our local collection, namely the letter which he delivered and the seat from his aircraft.A small 29 page booklet with blue and white photograph of Basil Watson in his aeroplane. It contains a number of black and white and some colour photographs. Introduction from the author, "This small booklet recognises the short career of Basil Watson. He came to my attention when researching the French aviator Maurice Guillaux who carried the first official air mail in Australia, Melbourne to Sydney in two and a half days 16/18 July 1914..... Tom Lockley 1 June 2017. Handwritten inside front cover,"These items may be of interest to add to your material about Basil Watson. Its a pity that the 100 year anniversary of his flight was not more widely recognised but thank you for mounting some of his records. Tom Hockley."warrnambool, basil watson, first airmail flight, aviation career of basil watson