Historical information

Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co. Bell Punch No. D406. A heavy nickel or chrome plated steel ticket or fare strip canceling / registering mechanism used on Melbourne cable trams. When a fare was sold, the bell would ring advising the passenger that their fare have registered.

"An ingenious device resembling in principle the ticket punch of a railway porter. It is carried by the conductor who wears pinned to his coat a 'trip-slip'. He punches this once for every fare received; the action is simultaneously registered on a dial inside the punch and bell rings to appraise the passenger of the fact. The punch is provided with a patent lock, the secret of which is known only at headquarters and effective system of check is thus secured." (" A story of the Melbourne Cable Tramway System" - page 54). Used by the MT&O and MMTB until 1922/23 when replaced by the check ticket system.

Manufactured by the Railway Register Manufacturing Company. Has "MT&O Co. ..." stamped on one side along with patent dates.

Significance

Demonstrates the equipment used by the Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co. to register fares and provide an accounting method.

Physical description

Nickel or chrome plated steel ticket punch, used by the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. stamped "MT&OCo" and "D406", c1885.