Physical description
72 - Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co. Bell Punch No. D1335. A heavy nickel plated steel ticket or fare strip cancelling / 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. Lock number not known. Has "MT& ..." stamped on one side along with patent dates.
72.1 - as above but for punch number D1338 - added 17/12/12.
See also Reg Item 6437 for another sample - punch No. D1902.
see - \dbtext\museum\documents\htd242i.pdf for opening instructions.
See "A story of the Melbourne Cable Tramway System 11/11/1885 to 26/10/1940" C.N. Govett and A. E. Twentyman. Copy held in the Hawthorn Tramway Depot collection.
Inscriptions & markings
Has "D 1335" punched above ticket entry slot (both sides), "335" on handle, "MT& ..." stamped on numbering registering face.
72.1 - As above with number "D1338" punched in. The M.T.& Co" is more visible.