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.
"Preston System"
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
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 Melbourne Tram Museum
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 Melbourne Tram Museum
Set of papers, handwritten concerning the development and timing of the "Preston Tramway system" - 14 sheets by the Fitzroy, Northcote and Preston Tramways Trust
Prepared largely by H. S. McComb, with notes dates, depot, track layout, lengths, the Act, dates and calculations, curves, Barkly St terminus, St Georges Road and interface with the cable trams.
Item contained within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "FN&PTT" in red pencil.
Pamphlet produced by the MMTB signed by F D Snell as Chairman about the formation of the State Transport Authority and Metropolitan Transit Authority. Advises the appointment of Mr Lynn Strouse as Chairman and Managing Director of the MTA. Provides an organisation chart for both Authorities. The new authority commenced on 1/7/1983. See reference.
Yields information about the 1983 formation of the MTA.
Pamphlet - 6 Fold item printed on light card.
tramways, trams, the met, mta, organisational structure
Advertisement in the Herald Sun promoting The Melbourne Tram using a Y1 class tram on a tourist service around Melbourne. See items 539, 627, 669, and 6905 for other related documents. The tram, Y1 611 was painted, publicity arranged but the service did not then operate as such. Published by the Public Transport Corporation.
Yields information about the 1992 proposal for a tourist tram in Melbourne.
Newspaper cutting from the Herald Sun 29/9/1992.
tramways, trams, y1 class, public transport, the melbourne tram, tourist trams, ptc
Invitation to attend the "Southbank Tram Depot Time Capsule Ceremony" - to be held on 3/10/1996 by the Minister of Transport Alan Brown and Managing Director of Met Tram Russell Nathan. Provides a list of items to be placed in the time capsule.
Yields information about the 1996 Time capsule to be opened in 2046 at Southbank depot.
Letter or invitation - 3 A4 pages stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, southbank depot, time capsule, invitation, the met, met tram
Pamphlet "Melbourne's Light Rail System" - about Melbourne's tram system with a foreword by Robin Cooper, Victorian Minister for Transport. Gives statistics on the size of the Melbourne system, its fleet, ticketting system, Melbourne itself, the City Circle tram, and the introduction of new trams. Mr Cooper was the Minister during 1997.
Yields information about Melbourne tramways in 1997.
Pamphlet - 4 page A4 full colour.
tramways, melbourne, light rail, city circle, tram fleet
Pamphlet for "From shopping to relaxing we're bringing Melbournians closer to their City" - promoting Yarra "Trams vision, route 109, new tramcars, superstops and a better pedestrian environment. Published c2000 following the awarding of the Franchise to Transdev / Transfield in August 1999.
Yields information about the plans of Yarra Trams c2000.
Pamphlet - 3 fold DL full colour
tramways, yarra trams, melbourne, superstops
Newspaper cutting about the position of Melbourne trams in the world in terms of kilometres of track and the number of routes based on Jane's Urban Transport Systems. Has comments from the National Trust, PTUA, and about the tram fleet. Notes the recent growth in the Melbourne system. Item written by Bruce Tobin. How Jane's obtained or intepreted their information is unkinown - a check at the time of cataloguing notes that Prague was 144km and Poznan was about 66km of route - based on their Wikipedia pages.
Yields information about Melbourne's position in the world tram list in 1995 - but this is subject to interepretion.
Newspaper cutting from The Age 16/1/1995
tramways, melbourne, length, routes
Pamphlet for ""The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant" providing details of prices, contact details and general information about the experience. Dated Jan. 1990. A note of interest is the provision of a Telecom Mobile Phone on board for late bookings.
Yields information about ""The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant" and its services in 1990.
Pamphlet - double sided printed - one side in Mandarin.
tramways, colonial tramcar restaurant, restaurant tram, bands
Newspaper cutting about Michael Norbury a tram enthusiast written by Phil Brown for The Herald Sun. Notes Michael's work, his tramway research into the HTT and Hawthorn Depot. Has a photo of him leaning out of V 214.
Yields information about Michael Norbury and his tramway research.
Newspaper cutting from The Herald Sun 29/8/1993
tramways, michael norbury, htt, tram enthusiasts, enthusiasts
Newspaper cutting about Joyce Barry with a photo of Joyce in a tram cab. Written by Janet Blair, details Joyce's tramway career. driving trams and experiences.
Yields information about Joyce Barry and her work with the Tramways.
Newspaper cutting from The Melbourne Times - 6/11/1991
tramways, joyce barry, tram drivers
Report dated 26/6/1989 provides details on the kilometres operated by each depot on various days, by each route, average headways, route lengths, route statistical information, and tram fleet allocation by type and depot.
Yields information about The Met tram operational statistics for 1989.
Twelve page report dated 26/6/1989 titled "Kilometres Operated by each depot"
tramways, routes, statistics, fleet, depots, operations
Report written by Hugh Waldron on the testing of the Metcard Machines during early Feb. 1996. The author gives details of the testing, timetabling, using Z class tram No. 10. A photo of the tram is included.
Has a close association with Hugh and the testing of The Metcard machines.
Three A4 sheets with photo of Z class tram No. 10
tramways, metcard, testing, z class, tram 10, ticket machines
An Essay "Three Ambitions Achieved" by Erica Downard of Visiting Egypt, working on Melbourne's trams and appearing on the Sale of the Century. Erica worked at the South Melbourne depot.
Has a close association with Erica and he experiences as a conductor.
Single A4 sheet and photo
tramways, erica downard, conductors, south melbourne depot
Button has the raised letters "P & M Tramway Trust" on the front of the badge and the imprint of Stokes & Sons Melbourne on the rear. Used by the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust for their Uniforms. See item 517 for another example.
Demonstrates buttons worn by the PMTT staff.
Button, brass fitted with a hook and a clip - small sleeve or cap.
trams, tramways, buttons, uniforms, pmtt
Each button has the logo of the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. pressed into the front of the badge - a M interwoven with a T. All made by Stokes and Sons of Melbourne. Worn by Cable Tram employees
Demonstrates buttons worn by the MTOCo staff.
Set of five MTOCo coat buttons fitted with hooks - nickel plated brass - 3 large coat, 2 small sleeve or cap.
trams, tramways, cable trams, mto co, buttons, uniforms
Used by the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. to identify its employees, in this case from Richmond car house or depot. Used until about 1916 when replaced by badges marked for the Tramway Board.
Demonstrates the method of identifying cable tram employees.
Round pressed brass badge with the letters "M.T&O.Co. Rd 66". On the rear of the badge, are two metal lugs have been soldered onto the badge and a single-piece leather strap with a buttonhole cut into it to enable it to be worn on a uniform.
trams, tramways, cable trams, employees pass, mto co, richmond depot
Written on the handle in pencil "The dear old "PM" cable trams passed away March 13, 1937" - a souvenir from one of the last trams to Port Melbourne. Both the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne cable lines closed on this date. The South Melbourne line was converted to electric traction; the Port Melbourne line was replaced by a bus service. See item 5556 for another bell cord from the same event.
Has a close association with the closure of the Port Melbourne cable tram line.
Bell cord - for a grip car bell - consisting of a wooden turned handle fitted with a screw at the bottom, a length of sash cord and a cast iron end to which the rope has been glued or fastened into.
On the wooden handle a note has been written in pencil.
trams, tramways, cable trams, grip trams, bell, port melbourne, last trams, closure.
DVD filmed and produced by David Johncock of the UK, providing the history of Melbourne Trams and Trains and current vision of 2022.
Demonstrates the work of David Johncock
DVD - in a clear front black plastic case.
melbourne, trams, trains, dvd, films
The Johnson Fare Box Co. was a manufacturer of Fare Boxes that enabled the viewing as the coin was deposited and receipt of a fare from a passenger - see reference. The MMTB Footscray X1 class trams used fare boxes in 1926 and this may have been a sample coin to show how it worked. See item 7470 for an associated pamphlet that notes the use of Fare Boxes. Further research is required.
Demonstrates an item from the Johnson Farebox Co. of Chicago.
Sample coin? - round, stamped aluminium with a piece of green felt glued to the rear.
"Johnson Fare Box Co. Chicago" in raised letters on both sides.
trams, tramways, fares, tickets, fareboxes, fare box
DVD produced to mark the last Farewell B1tram tour on 12-11-2017 with tram 2001. Produced by Johnathon Scutt with the Scutty Ark logo. See item 7589 for the Z1 & Z2 40th Anniversary & B1 Farewell tram tours.
Demonstrates a DVD recording of a tram tour and the work of Johnathon Scutt.
DVD inside a black plastic box with printed cover insert.
tram tours, tramcars, dvd, scutty ark, b1 class, tram 2001
Set of two DVD's produced to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Z1 and Z2 trams on 14-11-2015 and the B1 class Farewell tram tour on 30-1-2016. Produced by Johnathon Scutt with the Scutty Ark logo. Includes the tour timetable sheet for the first tour. See item 7590 for the Last Farewell tour. The tours used trams 101 and 2001
Demonstrates a DVD recording of a tram tour and the work of Johnathon Scutt.
Set of two DVD's inside a black plastic box with printed cover insert.
tram tours, tramcars, dvd, scutty ark, z1 class, b1 class, tram 101, tram 2001
Newspaper clipping about the National Rugby League (NRL) State of Origin match on 26/6/2024 at the MCG. Photo taken at the Museum with Laurie Daley, Dermott Brereton and Mal Meninga standing in front of a tram with the promotion poster on a stand. Published in the Australian Financial Review.
Yields information about the visit of former football greats to the Museum in June 2024.
Newspaper clipping from the Australian Financial Review page 3, 25-6-2024
melbourne tramway museum, nrl, travel promotion, visitors
Blazer used at VFTA events, by tour members.
Demonstrates a sports VFTA blazer in 1960 and has a close association with the Mr K Bryne.
Blazer, medium size made from wool, cotton lined, by David Lack Pty Ltd Melbourne, large embroidered front pocket with VFTA logo, 1960.
Made in Australia, with typed name "Mr K Bryne" and number "6256"
uniforms, vfta, football, sports
Jacket used on Fox FM radio tram, A class 237 during 1992 - see item 2798 for associated documents. Only 9 produced.
Demonstrates a jacket produced by Fox FM for their "Black Thunder" Tram advertising the radio station during 1992.
Medium size jacket, leather and swede, polyester lining, press studs with embroidered FOX on front and back.
Markings on jacket "Dory's" size labels, "Made in Australia"
fox fm, tram 237, a class, uniforms
Item used on the Victorian Railways Sandringham - Black Rock tram line for the short section of the single track of the line between the railway station in Station Street and the depot entrance in Bay Road. Tram drivers were required to carry this to prevent a head-on collision on the single-line section. Image 3 shows the driver placing the item in the "staff box" outside the depot. Image from the DVD "VR Tramways in the 1950s", with permission from Effectch the Producer. The Newport Railway Museum holds the other staffs for this line along with a damaged one (or two) for the same section - see photo 4 for the Black Rock to Beaumaris Section.
Demonstrates an item used to safely work trams on the Sandringham - Black Rock - Beaumaris tram line.
Two sections of steel intermeshed to form a cross and stamped.
Stamped "No. 1 Section" and "Sandringham - Staff Box"
trams, tramways, safeworking, sandringham, section staff
Photo of Norm Maddock, an ex Prisoner of War visiting the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial on 6/10/2009 and another photo of the memorial looking the other way. Date from Ballarat Tramway Museum item No 4498. Not known who took the photo.
Has a close association with Norm Maddock and his visit to Ballarat ex-Prisioner's of War Memorial.
Set of two colour prints on Kodak Xtralife paper.
trams, tramways, norm maddock, ballarat
Card produced by the Connies in conjunction with the City of Darebin to tell the story of the workers of Preston Workshops in particular Dutch born Bernard "Ben" Commandeur.
Has a close association with Bernard "Ben" Commandeur and Preston Workshops.
Printed card with round corners, full colour.
trams, tramways, tickets, the connies, preston workshops, darebin
Provides a set of Instructions supplementary to the Rules and Regulations of the VR St Kilda Brighton Electric St Railway dated 1911. Not all pages have been copied. Issued under the name of W A Holmes Telegraph Superintendent. Gives instructions to crews and workers regarding emergency working, single-line working and operational instructions.
Yields information about the "Rules and Regulations" - St Kilda Brighton - Electric Street Railway
Document - photocopied, approx 80 pages secured along the top edge with two Arnos style clips.
trams, tramways, victorian railways, vr, st kilda, brighton, employees, safeworking
Customer Bulletin - "More bus services for South Sunshine residents" advising that commencing Monday, Oct. 5 (1987) a trial service to South Sunshine, an extension of route 219. Gives times and a route map along with contact details Route 219 in 2024 is from South Sunshine to Gardenvale North Road.
Demonstrates a notice advising bus services for route 219.
Timetable Customer Bulletin A4 printed sheets, green ink on white paper.
tramways, the met, timetables, buses, route 219, south sunshine
Customer Bulletin - "Trams replacing buses - Route 57" - West Maribyrnong to City from Sunday 8/8/1993 advising that the replacement bus, route 357 will cease to operate. This was part of an industrial agreement with the State Government after the big 1990 strike. Gives the timetable at various timing points to City Elizabeth St. The timetable for the Route 82 service for both Saturdays and Sundays is given on a separate sheet. See item 7577 for a similar notice for route 3.
Demonstrates a notice advising trams replacing buses on route 57 and 82.
Timetable Customer Bulletin set of two A4 printed sheets.
tramways, the met, timetables, buses, route 57, west maribyrnong, route 82, footscray
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.
