Physical description

Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co. Bell Punch No. D1902. 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 IDMA - see btm6. Has "TB" - Tramways Board - stamped on one side along with patent dates.



See also Reg Item 72 and 72.1 for other examples.



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.



See Notes on opening from the Hawthorn Tramway Depot collection - see related documents.

Inscriptions & markings

Has "D 1902" punched above ticket entry slot (both sides), "1902" on handle, "TB" stamped on numbering registering face.