From a Melbourne Cable Car Trailer, built by the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. circa 1885. It is cast in 2 halves and then the 2 pieces forged together. It is a poor example due to a poor sand system employed. Lack of wear markings suggest this item had never been used.

Example of cable car suspension components

ballarat, ballarat tramways, cable car, horse tram

Used by ESCo to enable identification of depot employees when travelling on their trams. Date made and when used unknown. See also 1798 for another example.

Demonstrates a employee's free pass for travelling on Ballarat's trams.

Handmade metal badge from brass sheet about 54 in diameter with a slot (long oval shape) about 23 long x 5 deep through which a leather strap could be fitted through. Stamped in capital letters on the badge are "BALLARAT TRAMWAYS" on the outside, "EMPLOYEES CAR DEPOT", in the centre of the badge, with the word "Employees" in a semi-circle. Near the bottom of the badge is the number "16". The letters have been filled with black paint.

tramcars, tramways, esco, depot, employees pass, badges

Used as a means of authorising a tramcar to have sole use of the track between the named points to avoid head-on collisions. Safeworking object - known as a section staff. Not known when made, but in use, until the introduction of the electric signalling in the mid 1930's by the SEC. See also Reg Items 934 and 988 for details of use and other examples are at 1851, 52 and 53, 2473 and 4444 to 4448 , 4996 and 4497 and Reg item 934 and 988 for articles on the safeworking systems.

Demonstrates aspects of Safeworking on the Ballarat Tramway system used to c1936 when replaced by electric signals. Yields Information about the operation of Ballarat's trams and safeworking procedures.

Cast brass item with a flat part recessed section with the words "BALLARAT TRAMWAYS SECTION STAFF" cast into the surface and a flat section underneath, flush with the outside edges in which the words "PLEASANT ST - GARDENS LOOP NTH. " stamped in. Has an open rounded end which forms a handle or a point where it could be hung on a peg.

tramcars, tramways, staff, safeworking, tramway staffs, sec, esco

Photograph of 17 representatives of the Australian Tramway Employees Association Conference in Hobart Tasmania 1929. Many have watch chains with their union badges. Back row - W B Randall SA, M J Stapleton Vic, J M Bergin Vic, A W Banks NSW, Middle row - J H Brown Hobart, E Christie, Vic, G H Bayliss Vic, R Lynch NSW, D Cameron WA, H J Holder Launceston Front row - W A Clementson NSW, A C Warton Vice President, C J Bray Treasurer, J I Abflater Gen President, T Jewell General Secretary, M A McDonald SA, T E Beckman NSW. Photo by J J N Barnett of Hobart.

Has a close association with the men list and their union activities.

Mounted photograph black and white onto cardboard with names and title printed. Has a coloured image of Madonna on the rear.

aeta, union, conferences, hobart

Pamphlet titled "Z3 Tram - Souvenir of the Introduction of New Series Trams to Melbourne", for the launch of the Z 3 class tram. Has a sketch of Z3 116. Provides a list or details of the changes to the tram from the Z1 Z2 types. Has a tear off section that could be handed to the conductor. Published by the MMTB for the launch of the tram on 25 and 26 September 1979.

Yields information about the Z3 class tram.

Pamphlet, folded sheet, manila colour card, printed in blue ink

trams, tramways, z3 class, new trams, mmtb

Showing how tramway electrical current was returned to the electrical sub-station via the rails.

Traction Return Current Rail Bond, consists of a multi strand copper cable abt 19mm dia. and 530mm long, with block of steel (25x25x43mm) brazed onto each end. The block of steel gets welded to the outside of the rail head at a joint in the rails. The bond is to ensure a reliable return current as the fishplates and bolts are subject to dirt and rust which can inhibit the current.

Colour print showing the installation of the wooden shelter at Gardens Loop by the Museum prior to the installation of the interpretative board in the shelter. The shelter was subsequently replaced by the Council with a new structure.

Yields information about the shelter installed by the Museum at Gardens Loop during 1994.

Colour photograph print on Fujichrome paper.

museum, shelter, gardens loop, shelters

Colour print showing two of the SEC tramway timetable boards, that was located at the City Tramway centre on display on the end of tram 39 before the construction of an entry into the Museum display.

Demonstrates methods used to display information at the Museum during 1994.

Colour photograph print on Fujichrome paper.

museum, timetable boards, tram 39

Set of 2 colour prints showing two of the Museum display panels June 1994. The first photo shows moveable display panels that were installed in tram 39, salvaged from timetable boards at Flinders St station and the second is an interpretative panel for ESCo tram No. 12.

Demonstrates methods used to display information at the Museum during 1994.

Set of 2 colour photographs on Fujichrome paper.

tramcars, esco, tram 12, displays, museum, tram 39

Set of 16 colour prints showing the reconstruction of the underframe and other parts of ESCo tram 12 during 1994.

Yields information about the reconstruction of the underframe of tram 12 and other components.

Set of 16 colour photographs

tramcars, esco, tram 12, reconstruction, underframes

The typed document, most likely from an original document, details the rules for Electric Supply Co of Victoria (ESCo) Conductors. ESCo was the operator of the Ballarat Tramways from 1905 to 1934. Notes issuing of tickets, operational issues, trailers, bell signs, cash handling, parcels, behavior, uniforms, and inspectors. Conductors were primarily youths, under 21 and could be sacked for errors and were generally not employed after they turned 21. Notes the Grenville St shelter/office of ESCo. Not known who retyped the document.

Yields information about the rules that ESCo conductors operated under and the operation of trailers.

Six page typed document on ruled foolscap paper with four punch holes on left side and stapled in top left hand corner.

tramcars, tramways, conductors, tickets, esco, trailers

Set of four documents: - letter from W R Dann Traffic Manager of the Brisbane City Council Transport Department to Les Denmead, Tramway Supertindent Ballarat dated 6/2/1956, enclosing two prints of Brisbane Tramway Drop Centre bogie trams, long wheelbase reversed Maximum Traction truck, and Accident Report Form No. 1 of 8/54. Possibly the letter resulted from a meeting at a tramway conference.

Yields information about Brisbane drop centre tramcars and accident report forms.

Set of four documents - typed cover letter and other printed sheets.

tramcars, accidents, forms, brisbane, drop centre trams, trucks

Set of three drawings related to the Brill 22E Maximum Traction trucks: 1 - "Brake Rigging Brill Maximum Traction Truct No. 22E" - showing the dimensions of the levers and pivot points. For the relevant Geelong drawing T1647 see item 8044 2 - "Standard Pony Axle" - traced from MMTB drawing R3755 3 - "Pony Axle Box" - traced from MMTB drawing R1112 and dated in ink 28-4-1955

Yields information about Brill 22E brake rigging and equipment.

Set of three Drawings - dyeline print on plain paper with a brass clip in the top right hand corner.

tramcars, brill 22e, pony axles, axles, axle boxes, brake rigging, ballarat, geelong, drawings

Set of two drawings (BA-T8-8100/1 and BA-T8-8100B) showing the installation of tail lights on SEC tramcars and modifications to the battery/trolley pole relay and battery. Both are dated 15/11/1949 and signed by the Manager Ballarat Branch. The actual relay used later was a Post Office type relay contained within a wooden box.

Yields information about the modifications proposed to the tramcars to provide a rear tail light and lights when at a terminus.

Drawing - dyeline print on plain paper

tramcars, safety, tail lights, lights, ballarat

Set of two photos of "The Last Tram" - Mt Pleasant - 5/9/1971 1 - Tram 26 outbound in Barkly St Mt Pleasant, Mt Pleasant 2 - Interior of a single-truck tram

Yields information about the last day of the Mt Pleasant liine.

Set of two black and white photographs

Both images have on rear in red ink "Last Ballarat Tram"

tramways, closure, trams, tram 26, mt pleasant

Bendigo first commenced tramway operation in 1890 using battery trams. These were not successful. The rail, approx 36lb/yard or about 38kg/m has been sawn from an original length and collected.

Demonstrates a light weight section of tram rail used in Bendigo.

Section of flanged steel rail, sawn, fitted with two engraved gold colour plastic signs.

Engraved on the signs or plaques - "Bendigo Tramways 1890" and "Original Battery Tram Rail, No. 4"

tramways, bendigo, rail, battery trams

Item show corrosion of part of the eye bolt that supports the overhead in Wendouree Parade that has occurred primarily around the screw thread. Also shows how the span wire is terminated around a thimble that is fitted to the eye bolt. The item was probably erected by the SEC during the mid-1930s and replaced by the BTM 2024. Salvaged from Wendouree Parade during overhead span wire replacement and repair work in March 2024 undertaken by the BTM. See also item 9019 for a corroded section of span wire around insulators.

Demonstrates a corroded eye bolt and associated parts.

Overhead equipment - galvanised eye bolt with screw thread - partly corroded with left over wire around a galvanised thimble

overhead, span wires, btm, tramways, poles

Items show two different wire terminations - fully wrapped - 7 wires and part wrapped and secured by bending the wire. Shows how the galvanized span wire - 7 strands - can corrode within the insulator and lead to failure if not inspected and replaced. The items were probably erected by the SEC during the mid 1930s and replaced by the BTM 2024. Salvaged from Wendouree Parade during overhead span wire replacement and repair work March 2024 undertaken by the BTM. See also item 9020 for a corroded pole eye bolt.

Demonstrates a corroded span wire and a typical egg type insulator.

Overhead equipment - two brown egg insulators with associated corroded span wire.

overhead, insulators, span wires, btm, tramways

Type of switch fitted to Melbourne W class trams for switching the line breaker on or off. This switch controls power to the line breaker activated by the tram controller. Had been fitted to the Restaurant tram No. 3 or Cuthberts 939. Was found to be defective - the power was available to the controller even when switched to the OFF position, that is, failed unsafe. Was replaced 4/11/2015 from a spare. Has the name of the manufacturer on the cover.

Demonstrates a switch that failed unsafe.

Tramcar equipment - line breaker switch - fibre material box and cover containing electrical switch and 10Amp Cartridge fuse

w class trams, cuthberts 939, switches, line breakers, faulty equipment, safety

Lists for each weekday, the work done on each tram, who was on leave, and events or failures, derailments - shown in red ink, motormen examined,

Yields information about the Ballarat Workshop activities, tramcars maintained and events.

Printed and bound book - Collins Australian Diary No. 324 for 1960 - two pages per week, ruled with date and holiday information.

ballarat, tramcars, workshop records, workshops, maintenance

Set of three maps, c1977 show the bus routes for each of Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong along with railways. Provides information on each route, summary timetables, who operated the route and places of interest. Published by the Ministry of Transport in conjunction with the Transport Regulation Board, Bus Proprietors Association and VicRail. By comparison with the posters issued at the time of tram closure, can see the changes made to the routes in each city. See item 6813 for Ballarat, 6812 for Geelong, and 6814 for Bendigo.

Demonstrates a public transport map published by the Ministry of Transport.

Set of three 10 fold maps printed in colour to pocket size.

On each map "7/77" in ink.

buses, maps, ballarat, bendigo, geelong, timetables, railways

Photo shows Geelong trams 33 & 40 in Moorabool St just south of the Barwon Bridge on the long crossing loop. Based on the running board at item 8267, most likely tram No. 33. One of a set of photos was taken between 15/2/1956 and 3/3/1956 when services operated only between Belmont and North before the final closure of the Belmont route on 25/31956 and that bogie tram 31 is not shown on the board, having gone to Ballarat on 15/2/1956 - see item 5554. See item 8213 for an article on the Geelong system by Keith Kings.

Yields information about the Geelong operations toward the closure of the tram system.

Black and white Negative - 120 size

tramways, geelong, moorabool st, tram 33, tram 40, barwon river

Photo shows Brill 22E Maximum Traction bogie or truck - Geelong tramcar, has the SEC logo on the side of the tramcar in the view. One of a set of photos was taken between 15/2/1956 and 3/3/1956 when services operated only between Belmont and North before the final closure of the Belmont route on 25/31956 and that bogie tram 31 is not shown on the board, having gone to Ballarat on 15/2/1956 - see item 5554. See item 8213 for an article on the Geelong system by Keith Kings.

Yields information about the Geelong bogie trams.

Black and white Negative - 120 size

tramways, geelong, brill 22e, maximum traction, bogie trams

Photo shows Moorabool St, looking south at the Kardinia Park loop. One of a set of photos was taken between 15/2/1956 and 3/3/1956 when services operated only between Belmont and North before the final closure of the Belmont route on 25/31956 and that bogie tram 31 is not shown on the board, having gone to Ballarat on 15/2/1956 - see item 5554. See item 8213 for an article on the Geelong system by Keith Kings.

Yields information about the Geelong tram system.

Black and white Negative - 120 size

tramways, geelong, moorabool st, kardinia park loop

Photo shows Tram 38 Mercer Street, near The Esplanade with the destination of Belmont. One of a set of photos was taken between 15/2/1956 and 3/3/1956 when services operated only between Belmont and North before the final closure of the Belmont route on 25/31956 and that bogie tram 31 is not shown on the board, having gone to Ballarat on 15/2/1956 - see item 5554. See item 8213 for an article on the Geelong system by Keith Kings.

Yields information about the Geelong operations toward the closure of the tram system.

Black and white Negative - 120 size

tramways, geelong, tram 38, mercer st

Photo shows Tram 19 at Geelong Depot One of a set of photos was taken between 15/2/1956 and 3/3/1956 when services operated only between Belmont and North before the final closure of the Belmont route on 25/31956 and that bogie tram 31 is not shown on the board, having gone to Ballarat on 15/2/1956 - see item 5554. See item 8213 for an article on the Geelong system by Keith Kings.

Yields information about the Geelong operations toward the closure of the tram system.

Black and white Negative - 120 size

tramways, geelong, geelong depot, tram 19