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? Yes
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
This media item is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). You may share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) this item provided that you attribute the content source and copyright holder; do not use the content for commercial purposes; and do not rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) the material.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Ballarat Tramway Museum
Yields information about the use of the trolley ropes and safety matters.
Quarto typed instruction, titled "Safety Trolley Ropes" about the use of the safety rope on the trolley pole and that it must be clipped independently. Dated 14/4/1964. Copy marked for depot foreman. From the Branch Manager to the Acting Departmental Tramways Superintendent
The photograph shows Ballarat No. 39 at the Mt Pleasant terminus with the crew reversing the tram. The driver has lifted the rear pole and the conductor is about to lower the front pole. The tram will then go to the Gardens via Drummond St North. in the background is the shop at the terminus with a "The Sun" newspaper sign. Not known who took the photograph or the date - c1970
Yields information about tram 39 at the Mt Pleasant terminus and the crew reversing the tram - c1970.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, trams, tram 39, mt pleasant, crews
The photograph shows Ballarat No. 42 (Gardens via Drummond St), westbound in Bridge St. Tram has a briquettes roof advert. In the background are a butcher shop and Picot & Widmer, Chemist's shop. Not known who took the photograph or the date - c1970
Yields information about tram services in Bridge St c1970.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, trams, tram 42, bridge st
The photograph shows Ballarat No. 40 running into the depot on 19/9/1971 following its last trip at the time of the closure of the SEC-operated Ballarat tram system. The word "End" can be seen on one of the doors - when they closed it formed part of the expression "The End". Not known who took the photograph.
Yields information about the last tram into the depot on 19/9/1971.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, trams, last tram, closure, depot, tram 40
Biscuit tin with picture embossed into the lid of Ballarat Horse Tram No. 1
Sticker on underside "BEST BEFORE 11 MAY 13"
biscuits, biscuit tin, horse tram, no.1
The photograph shows ESCo Bendigo No. 3 with the conductor and driver standing at the front of the tram. Tram has a Hartley's sporting goods roof advertisement. Taken at the Bendigo Cemetery, Carpenter St Bendigo. The tram has been fitted with windscreens but not converted for one-man operation. Provides information about the uniforms of the time. Photo during the 1920s?
Yields information about Bendigo tram No. 3 and the crew uniforms
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, trams, bendigo, tram 3, uniforms
Photograph shows Ballarat No. 35 at Gardens Loop with a destination of Mt Pleasant. Tram has an electric cooking advert and a white on black destination roll which was replaced during c1966/67. Note the timetable boards on the pole alongside the tramcar. Photo by Len Millar.
Yields information about Ballarat 35 and Gardens Loop in Wendouree Parade.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
On rear in pencil "21 LNM"
tramcars, trams, tram 35, gardens loop, wendouree parade
Photograph shows the Ballarat scrubber tram on an MVC transport low loader after arriving at TMSV Bylands site on 21/9/1971. Not known who took the photo. See item 3776 for a photo of the loading of the tram.
Yields information about the transport of the Ballarat Scrubber tram to Bylands following closure of the SEC Operated tram system.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, trams, scrubber, bylands, tmsv, transporting trams
Photograph shows a horse tram leaving the Grenville St terminus to travel on the north side of Sturt St. Photo from the top of the Nicholl and Allan building. In the background are many pedestrians and one horse drawn car. There is a telegraph/telephone pole line on the right hand side of the photo. See items 5103 for a close up reproduction photo of the horse tram, 836 for a black and white reproduction and 2437 for a coloured postcard of the same image.
Yields information about Sturt St c1904 and horse trams.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
has "3" in a circle and "4" crossed out on the rear.
tramcars, trams, horse trams, sturt st, postcards, grenville st.
Photograph shows the Bendigo Steam tram depot or shed in Mollison St. See item 5734 for a 1943 Wal Jack photo of the building. Shows a steam tram motor with a bogie car and a nine window bogie car No. 4 on the right hand side. There are adverts for Fry's Coca, the Evening Mail, Havelock Tobacco and Robur tea. Reproduction image from The Bendigonian newspaper 5/1/1899.
Yields information about the Bendigo steam tram depot.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, bendigo, steam trams
Photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 12 (Gardens via Drummond North) passing the SEC Wendouree Parade junction. Shows the depot trackwork. Tram has a Twin Lakes sign. Photographer and date not known - c1970
Yields information about tram 12 passing the SEC Depot in Wendouree Parade.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, twin lakes, depot junction, wendouree parade, tram 12
Photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 27 (Sebastopol) in bound in Lydiard St North. Tram has a Twin Lakes sign. Photographer and date not known - c1970
Yields information about tram 27 running a Lydiard St Nth to Sebastopol service.
Black and white photograph on plain paper
tramcars, tram 27, lydiard st nth, twin lakes
Black and white photograph of Ballarat trams 35 and 34 standing alongside each other at the Grey St loop on the Sebastopol line with John Fitzsimmons holding some of the last tram mail from Sebastopol to Ballarat on 18/9/1971. Photo by Keith Kings. See item 2942 for a sample of the mail.
Yields information about the Last Tram Mail to be carried in Ballarat.
Black and white photograph with photographers notes on rear.
See image 2
trams, closure, last tram mail, tmsv, post office, last tram
Black and white photograph of Ballarat No 14 and Bendigo 17 in La Trobe St Melbourne during the 1979 Transport Cavalcade and display on 29/1/1979. Photo by John Dare, used in Newsrail Jun 1979, page 111.
Yields information about the 1979 Transport Cavalcade.
Black and white photograph with photographers notes on rear.
See image 2
trams, transport cavalcade, tram 14, tram 17, la trobe st
Black and white photograph of Ballarat No 42 (Mt Pleasant) at the Grenville St tram stop in Sturt St. with the shelter alongside with some ladies standing around. In the background are the Woolworths Big W and Dickins stores. Photographer unknown, c1970.
Yields information about the Grenville St stop c1970.
Black and white photograph on plain paper.
trams, tram 42, grenville st, shelters, sturt st
Newspaper item about the plans to have a tramway operating along the Wimmera River within five years. Ballarat tram No. 41 was given to a Horsham organisation but was later acquired by a Restaurant - see item 4348.
Yields information about a proposed Horsham tramway using tram 41 which did not eventuate.
Newspaper cutting from The Age 21/8/1972
tramways, horsham, tram 41
Photograph taken during Easter 1962 AETA tour of Ballarat with trams 37 and 18 at the Lydiard St North terminus.
Yields information about the trams used for an AETA visit in 1962
Black and white photograph printed on Ilford paper.
has "tram" and "trams at" in red ink on the side of the print.
trams, tramways, aeta, tours, special trams, tram 18, tram 37, lydiard st
Photograph taken during Easter 1962 AETA tour of Ballarat with trams 37 and 18 waiting in Lydiard St North to the North of the level crossing.
Yields information about the trams used for an AETA visit in 1962
Black and white photograph printed on Ilford paper.
has "tram" and "trams at" in red ink on the side of the print.
trams, tramways, aeta, tours, special trams, tram 18, tram 37, lydiard st
Book - 20 pages + card covers, full colour A4 centre stapled.
fiction
Cartoon story book about a lost boy in Melbourne travelling with Trevor the tram.
trevor, tramways, tramcars, cartoon, childrens books
Record shows the condition of the rail head at many points throughout the Ballarat system. Gives the type of rail, its weight, gauge, location and date of measurement See item 9127 for a report on the Special Work. Some sections measured in May 1954, rest May 1955
Demonstrates a detailed report into the condition and wear of the Ballarat Tramways trackwork in 1954/1955.
Report - within a manila card folder with steel clips containing about 44 drawings on drawing paper of rail sections.
Outside cover in ink "Legend Track Gauges"
ballarat, secv, trackwork, rails, reports
On the inside cover "Profiles of various parts of the tramway tracks, Ballarat Feb. 22, 1916. The profiles have been drawn in pencil from measurements at many locations. Gives the outline of the rail showing wear since 1905, location, and rail weight.
Demonstrates and ESCo record of rail track wear after some 10 years of operation.
Notebook - black card cloth based covers containing approx 50 ruled pages.
tramways, ballarat, tracks, rail profiles, rails, esco
Photograph shows SEC Ballarat tram No. 34 climbing Bakery Hill in Victoria St. The photo is taken at Humpffray St looking west. There is a Grocer on the left hand side of the photo. Photo by I K Winney of Sydney, 12/1949.
Yields information about the view looking west along Victoria St from Humpffray St during 1949.
Black and white photograph with photographers details on rear.
"Bogie No. 34 (ex MMTB C class) en route to Victoria St. Ballarat city area in background. 12/1949, I K Winney
tramcars, tram 34, victoria st, bakery hill
Sample of cloth found in a Museum uniform jacket pocket - used in the manufacture of new uniforms for BTM volunteers - same colour as that used by the SECV for its uniforms.
Yields information about the colour of the cloth used in SEC uniforms.
Sample of bottle Green cloth used in new BTM uniforms
uniforms, clothing, secv
Gives details with an index of the rules for Motorman, Conductors, and both types of employees together. Has an "Issued to" form inside the front cover - no entries. Has printer details on inside title sheet and on rear sheet and print stock details "FTY 18-8,-1507/40 on inside front only." Printed by the Government Printer H.E. Daw. Glued into the rear of the book is SEC By-Law No. 1, brown covers giving definitions, fares and charges, regulations re passengers, behaviour, smoking, dangerous goods, luggage, and behaviour of crews. Gives a schedule of fares and charges for Ballarat, Bendigo, and Geelong. Fares applied from 1937 to 1949. (See also item 3110). Printed by the Government Printer H Green. Details names of SEC Commissioners, Minister in Charge of Electrical Undertakings.
Demonstrates aspects of the way the SEC issued rules to employees on how they should behave and perform their duties safely. Yields information on particular items and operations.
Booklet with green cloth covers, titled in gold block "State Electricity Commission of Victoria - Tramways - Rules Governing Employees - May 1936"on heavy card with inside paper covers on heavy paper and 24 pages printed both sides, with stitched pages with white cotton. By-Law 1 dated 9/3/1937 has been glued into the back of the book.
tramways, ballarat, secv rules, by-laws, tickets, fares, motormen, conductors
Black and white photo of one of the saloon doors, possibly tram 37 with the Hawthorn Tramways Trust HTT logo or emblem etched into the glass. Most likely taken during the AETA 1962 tour,
Demonstrates the practice of having a logo etched into a former HTT tram.
Black and white photograph printed on Ilford paper.
trams, tramways, tram 37, htt, logos, emblems
Photograph taken during Easter 1962 AETA tour of Ballarat with trams 37 and 18 at the Victoria St terminus.
Yields information about the trams used for an AETA visit in 1962
Black and white photograph printed on Ilford paper.
trams, tramways, aeta, tours, special trams, tram 18, tram 37, victoria st.
Photograph of the three trams at the Mt Pleasant terminus during an AETA tour 21-4-1962. No. 20 the service tram, 18 and 37 the tour trams. No. 20 has Advertisements for the SEC, Ilford Film and a dash panel advert for The Age newspaper. See item 5249 for a similar Wal Jack photo. The date and location on the rear of the photo are incorrect.
Yields information about the trams used for an AETA visit in 1962 and worked within the service trams.
Black and white photograph printed on Ilford paper.
on rear in ink "Drummond St North 7th April 1962"
trams, tramways, aeta, tours, special trams, mt pleasant, tram 20, tram 18, tram 37
The State Electricity Commission of Victoria had chalets, cafes, mess halls and tea rooms all over Victoria, especially on construction sites and large workshops, from which chefs, cooks, tea persons etc., supplied food and beverages to the workers. The SECV also had a stores system which purchased thousands of sets of crockery & cutlery for use by personnel.
Oval shaped ceramic serving plate
SECV original logo including the wording "STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA", "1921". On underside, "Vitrified. Sold by Cafe & Hotel Supplies Pty. Ltd.". "Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd.". Burslem. Made in England.
secv, crockery, serving plate
Item used to contain the compressor fuse on tram 14, salvavaged during the project to renew the wiring of the tram. The box was located alongside the circuit breaker at No. 2 end of the tram.
Demonstrates an item fitted to a tramcar to contain a renewable fuse.
Wooden box containing a fuse, fuse holder and short sections of associated wire. The fuse holder is secured to the base of the box with brass screws. The box has a cover secured with a brass screw. There are two pieces of wire secured on the ceramic fuse holder, one of which the insulation has deteriorated and fallen off. The other wire has its cloth covered rubber insulation remaining in position. The outside of the box has been painted with the SEC tram green paint.
fuse, tram 14, tramcars, tramcar maintenance
Tramcar Destination Sign used by the Electric Supply Company of Victoria on the Ballarat Electric Trams. The ESCo operated the Ballarat electric trams from 1905 to 1934. Tramcar destination symbols originated in a time when a large part of the population was illiterate. The symbols were displayed on the front of the tram enabling the public to easily identify a tram's destination. The destination signs had a painted circle in the middle, the colour indicated the tram's destination. This particular sign has a yellow circle indicating the destination was Lydiard Street North. See Reg No. 5488.
Yields information about how the public related to the trams and their destinations.
Square sheet of steel, painted dark green and with a painted yellow circle 125mm in diameter in the middle. Has two circular holes near one side with an extended slot for fastening over hooks or screw heads. Has at least two layers paint with slightly different shades; all layers of paint are flaking. One edge is partially rusted away.
ballarat, tramways, tram, destination symbol, esco
Newspaper item about the installation of new bus stops and signs following the closure of the Victoria St tram line that Sunday. Quotes Mr Sharp City Engineer and Mr A Stott of the TRB about the new services and notes that the Skyline Wendouree Bus city stop would be unchanged.
Yields information about the closure of the SEC operated tram system and changed car parking.
Newspaper cutting from The Courier 21/8/1971
tramways, closure, ballarat, bridge st, car parking, bus stops, victoria st.
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.
