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.
"Resistance Boxes"
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 Melbourne Tram Museum
Dyeline print of Drawing R9846, "Resistance Boxes - Types on tramcars". Provides a listing of Melbourne tramcar numbers, class, motors, controller, type and box number, Resistance diagrams and remarks - number of tramcars. Includes works cars. Drawing undated, does not include X class cars or VR cars. Note that it superseded drawing R9846.
On rear in red ink (felt pen?) "Resistance Boxes"
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 199, recording the inspection, greasing and brake equipment of tramcars. Printed for cars 1 to 32 with items to be inspected or changed listed. Has been marked up in pencil for changes to the layout, possibly at the time of the takeover of the Trust by the MMTB and the formation of the Eastern System. Has a space for remarks on the rear. Note the "speed alarms" entry.
Demonstrates an HTT tramcar maintenance form.
Printed form on pink card - form No. 99
tramways, htt, forms, tramcar maintenance, tramcar inspection, brakes
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 150, recording the oiling of tramcars. Printed for cars 1 to 32 with items to be oiled listed. Has been marked up in pencil for changes to the layout, possibly at the time of the takeover of the Trust by the MMTB and the formation of the Eastern System. Has a space for remarks on the rear.
Demonstrates an HTT tramcar maintenance form.
Printed form on light yellow card - form No. 150
tramways, htt, forms, tramcar maintenance, oiling, tramcar inspection
Used as a destination or auxiliary board on Sandringham trams and buses that operated from the Sandringham railway station tram/bus depot. Tram and bus services were operated by the Victorian Railways. Have been letter Beaumaris Express and Beaumaris Express Black Rock which indicate more bus rather than trams.
Demonstrates destination signs used by the Victorian Railways on their Sandringham services.
Sign - plywood - 3 ply with a rebated timber section at the top of the sign, painted black with white letters.
tramways, vr, sandringham, vr buses, buses, signs
Receipt issued Mr L Hickman? for 8/- - appears for cost of property and 1 screw driver. Signed by F Guice who became the MMTB Accountant and was Acting Secretary in 1953.
Demonstrates an HTT receipt form.
Completed duplicate receipt form dated 10 June 1919
tramways, htt, forms, receipts, f guice
Set of two Hawthorn Tramways Trust forms for motormen or conductors to notify management of an exchange shifts with one another. Has space for crew names, dates, run and signatures of the parties. Form 55, two different versions - approved by either the Traffic Superintendent or the Chief Inspector.
Demonstrates an exchange of shift forms.
Set of two printed forms on off white paper.
tramways, htt, forms, exchange of shift, tram crews
Set of three Preston Workshops reports for April 1963; 1 - Preston Workshops Tram Summary - week ending 20 April 1963 - detailing the tramcars awaiting attention, lifting shop, body shop, paint shop, trams receiving attention, trams received and trams dispatched with their work done. Lists tram that are held out of service, including those sold. Has ink notes regarding cracked axles. 2 - Sheet reporting on cracked axles supplied by Thompsons in 1923 and Hadfields 3 - Axle survey - 19-4-1963 - in workshops availed for processing of in use - lists by type of gear - BTH, GE, Metro Vickers and by axle status. Has ink notes along bottom edge.
Yields information about Preston Workshops reporting, axles and general management.
Set of 3 typed documents - foolscap sheets.
tramcars, tramways, preston workshops, tramcar maintenance, axles
Set of instructions or Administrative document prepared by the MMTB for the 1970 Royal Visit to Melbourne by HM Queen Elizabeth II and family during April 1970. Instructions for Traffic Officers regarding the Royal Progress, holding tram and bus services while the motorcade passed. Details the arrangements for each day, timing, locations, Traffic Officer's responsibilities, and Inspector table numbers. Dated 17-3-1970.
Yields information about the arrangements for the 1970 Royal Visit and tram and bus planning.
Administrative Record or booklet - 14 typed foolscap pages stapled within a manila folder.
tramcars, tramways, royal visit, royal progress, inspectors, traffic officers
Information cards detailing the types of rail including slot rails used in Melbourne cable tramways by the Melbourne Tramways Trust. Includes dimensional details, weight, sections of cable roads. The second card has the properties of the rail sectons such as area, moment of inertia, section modulus and weight per yard. Both sheets have the name H Orams in the top right hand corner.
Yields information about the various cable tram rails
Set of two ruled photocopied cards
tramways, rails, mtt, cable trams, cable slot
Notice posted in tramcars by the Hawthorn Tramways Trust about the 1919 "Influenza Outbreak" and precautions passengers should take to prevent the spread. Advises that spitting or expectorating is forbidden on trams and that windows will be kept open as recommended by Health Authorities.
Yields information about the 1919 influenza outbreak in Melbourne.
Notice or Pamphlet - printed on off white paper.
tramcars, tramways, covid-19, influenza, htt, health
The drawing shows a 3 road depot layout, with an access track from Glenferrie Road, referring to a letter and a point D on the drawing. Drawing dated 18-12-1908 is some 18 months before the PMTT opened with a 6 road depot and is possibly related to land acquisition.
Yields information about PMTT depot planning in 1908.
Blueprint of a drawing showing the track layout for the entry to Malvern Tram depot.
tramcars, pmtt, malvern depot, trackwork
Report or list titled "Particulars of single truck cars & Suggested order in which they should be scrapped" Dated 26/4/1927. Seems that the 3rd and 4th sheets were initial drafts while the 1st and 2nd the later version, though still with some corrections. Lists car (tramcar) numbers, No. of cars, seating capacity, wheel base, horse power, type of car body - lists class, type of truck and type of equipment. The 3rd and 4th sheets also gave the weight in tons. List the cars that had already been scrapped. The S and T class cars were to last in service until the 1950s.
Yields information about the MMTB single truck fleet in 1927.
Set of four typed foolscap sheets, carbon copies some with handwritten notes.
tramcars, mmtb, scrapped trams, single truck cars, four wheel trams, list
Contract tender analysis for the second batch of PMTT tramcars - contract No. 44 - giving the tenderers name, price per body (combination or summer), totals for each type, delivery and remarks. Tenderers were Duncan and Fraser, Meadowbank who also offered Sydney cars as a special offer, Noyes Bros and Pengelley & Co. The contract was let to Duncan and Fraser. The trams became the G and H class type, entering service in 1913 - Destination City 5th Edition pages 53 and 54.
Demonstrates a PMTT Tramcar body tender analysis
Typed sheet on special size paper, ruled vertically with red lines.
pmtt, tramcars, tenders, contracts, g class, h class
1 - No. 51 - 19/12/2012 - 8 pages - new CEO of Yarra Trams, 3 years of KDR, myki system, end of Metcards, route 96 news, new look for Domain interchange in 2013, ticketing testing using tram 240 and item on Michael Sainsbery about the new ticketing system. 2 - No. 58 - 24/4/2013 new Domain Interchange, Minister Mulder, the Rhino return and driver training. 3 - No. 76 - 15/1/2014 "Star Power for the Open" Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, changes to route 75, E class, and super Saturday - 4/1/2014 - punctuality exceeded 90%.
Demonstrates Yarra trams staff newsletters.
Set of 3 Yarra Trams internal newsletter "The Wire", All A4, printed in full colour. All four pages unless noted otherwise, full colour, performance snapshot on front cover on first two issues.
yarra trams, domain interchange, e class, route 96, tennis, route 75, metcard, myki
Public Transport Victoria Blind Person's travel pass expiring 30/6/1996 - printed with PTC words in the background with space for a passport sized photo and the name of the person issued to. On the rear are the conditions of use. Available on V/Line and The Met services.
Demonstrates a PTC Blind person's travel pass for 1995/1996
Printed and numbered paper with space for name and a photograph - 3 copies held - Nos 5783 to 5785
tickets, public transport, the met, v/line, blind persons
Poster that was adhered to tramcar windows, reminding passengers that they had to hand fare to the conductor before leaving the vehicle. Has an image of a conductor, with cap No. 9999 in uniform and clippers. Possibly late 1960s. See also items 5548 and 679 for other examples. Penality $10, and on second copy $50. Item 679 refers to By-Law No. 5.
Demonstrates a MMTB Poster regarding payment of fares.
Poster printed in full colour on light card. Two copies held - the second has a white $50 sticker over the original printed $10 amount.
trams, tramways, mmtb, by-laws, conductors, tickets, behaviour
Four-page printed brochure with illustrations 1940’s? describing the Point turning mechanism with illustrations, of the equipment, method of operation advantages, wiring, the street box and curb (kerb) control box. This type was used for many years at the intersection of Swan and Church Sts Richmond. Published by the Forest City Electric Co. of Manchester.
Yields information about the Forest City Collins Point turners.
Four page Pamphlet or Brochure Forest City No. 18T, "Collins Patent Automatic Point Turner".
trams, tramways, forest city, points
Comprises 12 photos of Melbourne, mid to late 1930s. Produced by Rose Stereograph of Armadale. 1 - Botanical Gardens and Government House 2 - The MacRobertson Fountain with Shrine in the background and Government house in the distance - no advanced trees. See reference - completed 1934. 3 - Flinders Street Railway Station with a W2 class tram in the view 4 - St Kilda Road Melbourne 5 - Collins St with the Regent Theatre, National Mutual and the Town Hall 6 - Princes Bridge and the City Skyline 7 - The Conservatory Fitzroy Gardens 8 - The Cathedral Corner - St Pauls and Gas & Fuel building 9 - St Kilda Road with the Shine of Remembrance in the distance 10 - Looking across Princes Bridge to St Kilda Road - is Prince Henry Hosptial there? 11 - Parliament House 12 - Captain Cook's Cottage, Fitzroy Gardens - which dates from 1934.
Yields information about Melbourne city views and new attractions mid 1930s.
Paper envelope folder with 6 photos on each side of a foldout section titled "Picturesque Views of Melbourne"
melbourne, post cars, photo folders
Administrative record - "Car and Bus Mileage" for 28 days ended 29th June 1940, lists each electric depot, cable, and bus for each bus route. Includes total to date. Signed by F Guice as Treasurer and Accountant.
Yields information about the mmtb tram and bus mileages to June 1940, a few months before the cable system closed.
Carbon copy typed foolscap sheet signed F Guice
tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, mileages, buses, cable trams, statistics
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily report" for MMTB dated 28/2/1939 - form 3/312 of 1938. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers and the cars for the All Night services and their availaiblity. Lists 5 cars taken out of service - defective or accidents, provides detail of status of fire services at depots, and watchmen's tell tales. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports.
Yields information the mmtb tram allocation and events at electric running sheds - 1939
Completed preprinted foolscap form with type information.
tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports
Pamphlet details the introduction of the X1 class safety trams to the Williamstown Road route from 9/6/2024. Gives information on the tram, fares, fare boxes, pay as you enter (PAYE), or pay as you leave, and provides hints for passenger behaviour. See also item 7470 for a pamphlet on the tram itself. See 7518 for the pamphlet on the introduction to the Russell St route. Notes the discontinuation of the through service to Russell St,.
Yields information about the attributes of the X1 class tram at the time of their introduction in 1926 to Williamstown Road
Pamphlet - one sheet folded printed on off white paper.
tramways, trams, mmtb, x1 class, fare box, footscray, russell st, williamstown road
Pamphlet details the introduction of the X1 class safety trams to the Russell St Footscray route from 13/9/1926. Gives information on the tram, fares, fare boxes, pay as you enter (PAYE), or pay as you leave, and provides hints for passenger behaviour. See also item 7470 for a pamphlet on the tram itself. See 7520 for the pamphlet on the introduction to Williamstown Road route.
Yields information about the attributes of the X1 class tram at the time of their introduction in 1926 to Russell St.
Pamphlet - one sheet folded printed on light brown paper. Two copies held.
tramways, trams, mmtb, x1 class, fare box, footscray, russell st
Provides the Rules and Regulations for the St Kilda - Brighton Electric Street Railway, dated June 1907. The railway opened on 5/5/1906 and to Brighton on 22/12/1906. the latter largely as a single track. Has the name F E Bradford on the front cover. Gives rules for crossing cable tram lines, those for drivers, speeds, conductors, accidents, bell signals, signals on overhead line, regulations for working by staff and ticket, pilot working, rules for workers on the permanent way, and additional rules such as collecting money from passengers for breaking windows.
Yields information about the "Rules and Regulations" - St Kilda Brighton - Electric Street Railway
Book - cloth cover red covers, 20 pages, centre stapled.
Has initials "PwR" and "Secretary" in ink on the first page.
trams, tramways, cable trams, trackwork, yokes
Drawing No. 939 signed and dated by the Chief Engineer, Mr. Strickland on 31-5-1922, Drawing "Built up Yoke", for contract No. 158 shows a cable tram Yoke possibly to be used in the link between Swanston St and Lonsdale St (west) or repairs. Signed by James Henderson Engineer for Permanent Way. The yoke could be used to support a cable pulley.
Demonstrates a drawing made for cable tram track parts during the early 1920s.
Drawing - blue print - No. 939
trams, tramways, cable trams, trackwork, yokes
Metal badges - relief of a Melbourne V class, number 114 in a largely red colour scheme. with an enamel gloss finish. On the rear of the badge has stamped "Not Transferrable Taiwan"
Demonstrates an item made for wearing on a jacket or cap.
Badge - metal cut into the shape of a tram with a trolley pole and painted. Has a pin clip on the rear with a retention or secure style clip.
trams, tramways, v class, tram 214
The item features a The Met tram possibly No. 955 within a map of Australia with the words Melbourne underneath. A souvenir sold in shops of a visit to Melbourne or to send to someone.
Demonstrates an item made for souvenir shop sale.
Souvenir - gold coloured key ring with badge section of a Melbourne tram finished within a clear section.
trams, tramways, the met, badges, souvenirs
The badge features a MAN Melbourne bus in The Met colours. This type of bus was used by the MMTB and The Met from 1971 to 1993. Not known who made or produced the item.
Demonstrates an item made for wearing on a jacket or cap.
Badge - metal cut into the shape of a bus and painted. Has a pin clip on the rear with a retention or secure style clip.
trams, tramways, the met, badges, man buses
The badge features a conductor with many arrows pointing towards them and a list of people they were to assist such as lost, old, disabled, in a pram, and female. Made at the time of the big strike Jan. 1990 to support the retention of tram conductors. See also items 667, 668, and 1776 for similar badges made for the same purpose.
Demonstrates an item made to support the retention of Conductors.
Badge - Has a pin with a white plastic backing on the rear to enable to be fixed to an item of clothing. Has manufacturer's name and logo on the rear of badge - Badge Minit.
trams, tramways, the met, conductors, melbourne, badges
Lists provide information about the truck mileage for most trams at various dates: 1 - "Truck Mileage for period ending 1st June 1963 - noting it was prepared 15/5/1963 - shows trams in the Workshops or held out of service 2 - List of W2 class trams - High Mileage trucks - dated 24/5/1965 - prepared by R J Tippett - Inspecting Foreman. Also lists last 01, 02 and 03. 3 - list for trams 960 to 1040 showing when last truck change and motors - last date is June 1963.
Demonstrates MMTB practices monitoring truck or bogie change over dates, mileage and workshop practices.
Set of lists - photocopied, hand written or typed
trams, tramways, tramcars, wheels, w2 class, overhaul dates, maintenance, tramcar maintenance
Lists provide information about the type of equipment fitted to W2 class trams 1 - "Trams fitted with D K (Dick Kerr model) controlleres - dated 15/7/1963 2 - "Class W2 cars with 28" dia wheels" - 11/7/1963 3 - "Roller Bearing trams" - listed by motor type, giving the number armatures for GE 288, BTM 265, MV 101 and MV 101 BR motors - These trams were fitted with roller bearings on their armatures = dated 14/10/64.
Yields information about the equipment fitted to W2 class trams during the mid 1960s
Set of lists - carbon copies on either foolscap or quarto paper.
trams, tramways, tramcars, motors, wheels, armatures, dick kerr, w2 class
Provides information in the form of a letter to Parliamentary members about the reasons why the electrification of Collins St should proceed from the MMTB viewpoint, though it was not part of the 1923 General Scheme. The City of Melbourne initially wanted a conduit system, main issue was overhead wires, looks at other possibilities. Has a statement to the Press regarding the Board's decision to convert Collins St - options, Bourke St, Flinders St, traffic issues, and passenger / business development along Collins St. There was a lot of opposition to the proposal from the Doctors in the street.
Yields information about the replacement of the Collins St cable tramways with electric trams and the reasons why.
Set of six duplicated foolscap sheets secured by a foldable brass clip in top left hand corner.
trams, tramways, parliament, mr strangward, collins st, cable trams, tram replacement, electrification
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.
