We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Ballarat Tramway Museum
Newspaper clipping from The Herald Sun, 10/3/2006, titled "its a boomer says Borner", about Ray Borner carrying the Queens Baton in Ballarat, using BTM tram 671. Has photo by Craig Hughes, text by Brendan Roberts. Two copies held.
"Herald Sun 10/3/2006"
Demonstrates how General Electric Co. used metal makers plates to identify their product, patents, and contact details.
Small metal brass coloured makers plate for General Electric Co. Etched background leaves lettering - "GE 69-C-MOTOR PATENTED DEC 4.97 JAN 31 99 APR 24 1900 NOV 7 1900 JUL 9 1901 MAY 12 1903 GENERAL ENGINEERING CO. SCHENECTADY, NY. U.S.A. ?11G4? " There are four holes, one in each corner, to enable attachment to the motor. The model no 69-C has been stamped on at a later date.
makers plate for general electric co., motor identification
Demonstrates how the SEC used etched signs to provide information for their staff.
A small, etched brass metal plate reading "SOLE AGENTS AUSTRALIAN GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. 217 CLARENCE STREET SYDNEY AND C/R QUEEN AND LITTLE COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE H.R.9266". The etched lettering background has been painted black, with the lettering proud in brass. Although the reverse was originally painted, much of the paint has worn off. Two holes have been positioned on the sides to allow attaching to the tram car.
tramways sign, makers plate for general electric co.
Demonstrates how the SEC used painted metal signs to advise and remind staff of procedures for operating equipment.
A metal sign painted in red. Hand painted lettering reads "THIS END RELEASE AIR BEFORE HAND BRAKE IS APPLIED" painted in off white. The corners of the sign have been rounded, with a hole made in each corner for attaching to the tram car. The reverse has the number 33 printed in small black lettering. The back of the sign has not been painted and has a rusted surface finish. The plate is slightly buckled.
The number 33 is written in black on the reverse.
tramways sign, painted signage for trams
Demonstrates how the SEC used signage to communicate important information to staff.
An enameled metal plate sign in an off-white colour, hand painted with black lettering. The sign reads "AIR BRAKE OPERATING END". The sign is curved, and all four corners have been angled. There is a hole in each of the corners to enable attachment to the tram cab. Horizontal lines have been drawn to ensure the even height and spacing of the lettering. The back of the sign has been painted a brass colour, although some of this has flaked off with wear. Two russet coloured stripes, 3mm and 12mm in width have been painted from top to bottom on the reverse.
tramways sign, enameled tramway signage, hand-painted tramway sign
Demonstrates how the SEC used signage to confirm procedures for Tramway Crews.
A metal, brass coloured sign originally etched and painted with black for the lettering and border lines. The sign has been overpainted with green paint. The sign gives detailed instructions to Tram Crews who may be involved in an incident which delays the service. The plate has a hole in each corner to enable attachment to the tram cab. The reverse has some black paint splotches from the painting of the lettering.
tramways signs, etched tramway signage
Demonstrates how the SEC used enameled signs to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.
An enameled sign, with black letters and border lines on an off-white background. Sign reads "Passengers are requested to present the correct amount of Fare." Two holes on the left and right hand sides have been made to attach the sign to the tram cab. There are rust marks permeating the enamel on the front. And paint has been used on the RH side to cover chipped enamel. The reverse has been coated in black enamel, with rust marks showing where the enamel was placed on a frame prior to firing, and where the enamel has chipped away from the outer edge.
tramways sign, enameled tramway signage
Demonstrates how the SEC used enameled signs to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.,
An enameled sign with black lettering and border on an off-white background. Lettering reads, "Passengers are requested to provide themselves with correct amount of Fare." Rust markings show on the face where the enamel has chipped. Two holes have been drilled in the sides to attach sign to the tram cab. The reverse is a mixture of black and white enamel, marked with patches of rust where the enamel has worn away.
tram signs, tramway enamel signage
Used on SECV Uniform coats and great coats.
Demonstrates the manufacture of uniform items and their use in uniforms for tramway crews in Ballarat.
SEC uniform clothing button 24 diameter, with SEC crest, 1921 and organisation name embossed onto outer surface, with backing piece and brass wire lug for sewing on rear. Nickel plated silver? Has Manufacturers name stamped on rear - Stokes & Sons Melbourne.
tram, trams, secv, ballarat tramways, uniforms, buttons
Item used to operate and record the time in the Cincinnati Time Recording clock. This type of clock was used by the MMTB in the 1930s. The key would be issued by the depot staff to crews for use in the clock to record times so that they could be matched up against the timetable to see whether tram or bus services were running on time. Understood that this style of key was last used on the Port Melbourne bus route. The Museum has one of these clocks at its depot which was obtained from The Met in? The second photo shows the key in position before turning the handle around it. By the 1960's (or earlier) they were only used on the M&MTB bus routes. All the tram routes had M&MTB copies with a very different style of key. Only used on two man bus routes and the conductor held the key due to the half-cab bus design. On the tram routes the driver was responsible for the key and recording the time. The key number represented the crew's shift number. For a while towards the end of their use on the trams they were the Run number. This change led to many lost keys!
Demonstrates a Cincinnati "Bundy" time recording clock key.
Key - or Bundy Clock key made for a Cincinnati Time Recording Clock comprising a circular brass section with a key number section secured by a screw at one end and a flat steel strip inserted into the brass section, with a hole at one end that could be placed on a hook. The steel strip is riveted into the brass round section. Two keys held.
Steel section stamped "tramways" and "55" and "263"
tramcars, tramways, bundy clock, cincinnati, time recorder clocks
Set of four photographs of ex Melbourne scrubber tram No. 8 or 8W being repainted by the Ballarat Tramway Museum. Photos by Steven Altham. 1 - cabs painted, with The Met logo still visible on the tank - 11-10-2004 2 - work largely complete - but not numbers - 5-2-2005 3 and 4 - complete with numbers 25-9-205.
Yields information about the repainting of ex Melbourne scrubber tram 8 or 8W.
Set of four Colour prints with photographers notes on the rear.
In ink on all photo dates and "Steven Altham"
tramcars, tramways, btm, scrubber tram, scrubber, tram 8, tram 8w
Set of three photographs of Bendigo 17 and Ballarat 28 - on the celebration of 100 years of electric trams by the Ballarat Tramway Museum on 25-5-2024. Photo by Steven Altham.
Yields information about the trams used to celebrate the 100 years of electric trams in Ballarat.
Set of three Colour prints with photographers notes on the rear.
In ink on all "25-9-05 and Steven Altham"
tramcars, tramways, 100 years of electric trams, tram 17, tram 28, wendouree parade, btm
Photograph of W4 671 in Pipers livery and SEC Ballarat 14 on the Ballarat Tramway Museum depot fan c2010. Tram 671 was given the Pipers livery during 2009. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about trams 671 and 14 c2010
Colour print with plain back.
tramcars, tramways, w4 class, tram 671, tram 14, pipers
Demonstrates how the SEC used signage to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.
A brass metal plate sign with stenciled lettering and border lines etched and painted black. A small hole has been drilled in each of the corners to enable fixing to the tram car. The reverse has remnants of glue and timber fragments from past adhesion.
tram signs, tram cars, tram safety signs
Demonstrates how the SEC used enameled signs to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.
An enamel sign with black lettering and border line on an off white background. The enameling is stained due to rust. The sign reads "To stop Car pull left hand cord ONCE". Where the enamel has been chipped, an attempt to disguise the damage has been made with paint. The reverse has been enameled in a mixture of black and white, but this shows signs of chipping and rust damage. Two holes have been drilled in the centre of the LH and RH edges to enable the sign to be attached to the tram car. The reverse shows signs that the enamel has been marked prior to firing as the sign rested on a framework which removed the enamel surface, allowing lines of rust to form.
tram signs, tam car signage
Demonstrates how the SEC used etched signs to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.
Brass metal sign with border and writing etched and painted black. Sign reads "NO EXIT". A small hole has been drilled in each of the four corners to enable the sign to be attached to the tram compartment.
Demonstrates how the SEC used enameled signs to convey instructions to passengers, and confirm the advice of the conductor.
Enameled metal sign, black capital letters and border lines on an off- white background. Reverse enameled in black. Sign reads "Passengers must not travel in this compartment". The writing appears to have been stenciled over the white enamel base. The enameling has broken away from areas near the two screw holes formed to attach the sign to the compartment. An attempt has been made to address damage with paint. Enamel on reverse is marked where the sign appears to have been laying on a frame prior to firing.
tramways signs, passenger information signs, enameled signs
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 11 running into the SECV Wendouree Parade Depot. Tram has the destination of Gardens via Sturt St West indicating it ran in from the Gardens and revesed outside the depot. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 11 and the depot run in tracks in 1949.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 11 outside Ballarat Depot, near Gardens terminus 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sec depot, tram 11, wendouree parade
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 13 just before it crossed Albert St on its way to Lydiard St North. The photo shows the "wilds" or unkempt nature of Albert St at the time. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 13 and the nature of the southern section of Albert St. Sebastopol.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 13 on open right of way 1/2 mile from Sebastopol terminus, Ballarat 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sebastopol, albert st., tram 13
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 13 crossing Albert St on its way to Sebastopol. Has some of the Sebastopol shops in the background on the left side of the image. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 13 and the location where the tram crossed Albert St. Sebastopol.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 13 en route to Sebastopol crossing from left to right side of road, Ballarat 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sebastopol, albert st., tram 13
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 19 at the Sebastopol terminus shortly after arriving. The pole is yet to be reversed, though the destination has been set for Lydiard St North. The Royal Mail Hotel is in the background. Note the departure clock on the tram stop pole - see second image - appears to be set for a 20 min service at 2mins etc past the hour. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 19 and the Sebastopol terminus.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 19 at Sebastopol terminus, Ballarat 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sebastopol, tram 19, albert st., royal mail hotel, clocks
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 18 in Wendouree Parade at a location opposite the View Point Hotel. The "gazebo" at this location can be seen behind the tram. The tram has the destination of View Point and an auxiliary sign of "Lake View Point Only - connect with launches". On the left side of the photo is a highway advisory sign "Motorists Drive Slowly" Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 18 and the Lake View route.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"No. 18 at View Point terminus, note supplementary sing re ferry connection across Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, tram 18, wendouree parade, lake view, road signs
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 16 westbound to Grey St Sebastopol, in Sturt St at Doveton St with a passenger about to board the tram. In the background is the Tunbridges store. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 16 and Grey St Sebastopol short workings in 1949.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Ballarat No. 16 in Sturt St at Doveton St bound for Grey St Sebastopol, 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sturt st, tram 16, doveton st
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 15 at the Grant St loop in Barkly St Mt Pleasant. There are three schoolboys on bicycles alongside the tram. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about the Grant St loop in Barkly St Mt Pleasant during 1949.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Ballarat bogie No. 15 at Grant St loop Mt Pleasant line, 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, tram 15, grant st, mt pleasant, barkly st
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat trams 16 (Mt Pleasant) and 34 (Gardens via Sturt St West) crossing at the Carlton St loop. The conductor is standing in the rear door of No. 16. The grass alongside Wendouree Parade is overgrown. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about the use of Carlton St loop during 1934
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 16 and 34 on loop on west side of lake, Ballarat. 12/1949, I K Winney"
tramcars, sturt st, wendouree parade, tram 16, tram 34, carlton st loop
The photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 14 at the intersection of Sturt and Dawson Sts outbound to the Gardens via Sturt St West. The tram is in the green and cream rocker panels livery. The overhead for the Dawson St crossover is visible. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about tram 14 and the corner of Sturt and Dawson Sts during 1949.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Car No. 14 cnr Sturt & Dawson Sts en route to Gardens via Sturt St W". 12/1949, I K Winney
tramcars, sturt st, dawson st, tram 14
The photograph shows Ballarat No. 17, with the destination of Lydiard St North mid to late 1950s at the City terminus - Sturt and Lydiard Sts. A "Pay as You Enter" sign is visible on the inside front of the tram. The Ballarat Town Hall is in the background. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about tram 17 in the mid to late 1950s.
Black and white print - plain back.
tramcars, tramways, tram 17, city centre, town hall
The photograph shows Ballarat No. 11, with the destination of Lydiard St North mid to late 1950s. Location unable to be determined. A lady with a straw basket can be seen inside the tram. A bogie tram is behind. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about tram 11 in the mid to late 1950s.
Black and white print - plain back. Two copies held.
tramcars, tramways, tram 11
Melbourne Electric Supply Company tramway Motormen outside the main entrance in Yarra St. Photograph taken between 1912 and 1916. Several of the men in the photo appear in photo item 9243.
Black and white print on paper.
mesco motormen, geelong mesco motormen c. 1912-1916
Men laying sleeper tram tracks for the North tram route along The Esplanade. In the midddle distance, the double track towards the city is in Mercer St. (now The Esplanade South). The street off to the left is Victoria Tce., (now Western Beach Road). 1928
Black and white print on paper.
GRS710/25/1/10 and 25-10, written on the reverse in paper. The No., 2 inside a circle, written on the reverse in ink.
geelong tramway, geelong tramway laying sleeper tracks
Commencement of construction of the East tramline along Ryrie Street. Photographer is a few hundred metres east of the Moorabo9ol St. intersection facing east. The Geelong Theatre is on the right, opened in 1913 and facade preserved. 1922.
Black and white print on paper.
GRS710/25/1/7 and 55-7, written in pencil on the reverse. The number 1 within a circle written on the reverse in ink.
geelong east tramway construction, geelong tramway east line commenced, geelong theatre
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
