Historical information
The original line to the Essendon Aerodrome was constructed in 1943 to serve the airport and aircraft construction. It was funded by the Commonwealth Government. By 1976, patronage to the airport terminus in Vaughan St had dropped, the crossing of the highway to the Tullamarine Airport opened in 1970, was dangerous, and the highway needed to be widened. The new terminus was a short distance to the north between Mathews Ave and the Highway. This series of photographs show the last day of operations to the original terminus and the changeover, which was done in about 7 hours. No buses were required. It was done by workers of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. The line was later extended to Airport West.
.1 - W5 789, (Essendon Airport Route 59) about to turn from Mathews Ave into Vaughan St. Has new track and footbridge in the foreground.
.2 - W5 791 on the siding or spur at the airport terminus, the last tram to use this facility.
.3 - W2 571, at the Airport terminus alongside Vaughan St on the last morning of the use of this terminus. The Bundy clock can be seen behind the pole on the lefthand side and the Brick passenger shelter. Shows buffer stops, and Forestair hanger behind.
.4 - W2 595 turning from Vaughan St into Mathews Ave. Has the tram stop No. 55 in the view.
.5 - W5 839 turning from Vaughan St into Mathews Ave. Shows the flashing yellow light that gave some protection to the trams.
.6 - W2 247 about to turn into Vaughan St. Driver about to reboard the tram. Note the new copper trolley wire is up for the new track but has been pulled to the west side using rope.
.7 - W5 805, turning from Mathews Ave into Vaughan St, to the old Essendon Airport terminus. Has a new track in the foreground, and the overhead for the curves is still in position.
.8 - W6 991 turning from Vaughan St into Matthews Ave, at 855am, the last tram from the old terminus. The track gang has commenced work to remove the outbound curve. Would appear four passengers waiting at the tram stop, two with lunch bags. Note the cattle grid in the foreground between the rails. New rails on the ground on the left-hand side.
See Reg Item 6163 for further photos of this event.
Significance
Yields information about the last day of the operation of the original Essendon Airport tram line.
Physical description
Set of 8 Kodachrome cardboard mount colour slides of the relocation of the Essendon Airport tram terminus 7-10-1976, by Ron Scholten.
Inscriptions & markings
All slides have detailed descriptions on the rear
