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.
Section 99 of the MMTB Act 1928 re safety and Engineering responsibility,
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 handwritten pencil notes - 9 sheets - personal research notes on Section 99 of the MMTB Act 1928 re safety and Engineering responsibility, files with references to projects such as Footscray - Maribyrnong connection file of 1947 to 1951, agreements, the Keilor Road extension, William St and Maribyrnong Road extension.
The photograph shows an internal view of a Y or Y1 class tram possibly at the time of its launch in 1930. See also item 7419 for another internal view.
Yields information about the interior view of a Y1 class tram.
Black and white photograph with photographers stamp and notes on rear.
Has the stamp of "The Argus Melbourne" on rear and a pencil note "Interior Y1 Safety car - One-Man"
trams, tramways, mmtb, y1 class, one-man trams, internal photos, interiors
The photograph is of the six road extension built on the south side of the previous depot building at Essendon. Tracks and overhead are yet to be installed - the foreground of the photograph appears to have been "photoshopped". The photograph is about June 1924.
Yields information about the second shed at Essendon Depot.
Black and white photograph with photographers stamp on rear.
Has the stamp of "Sutcliffe Pty Ltd" on rear.
trams, tramways, depot, essendon depot, new buildings
Letter head used by the "Melbourne and Metropolitan Transit Band" with The Met logo on top of the sheet, mid 1980s
Demonstrates the letterhead of the Transit Band during The Met era.
Letterhead - A4 sheet printed on yellow paper.
the met, transit band, bands, letterhead
Photo shows extensive track lights on the left side of the single-track Nicholson St East Coburg tram line with W2 class tram 473? inbound on route 1 just to the north of Grant St. This section of track was considered dangerous and to alleviate the problem of inbound or southbound tramcars not being visible well in advance to northbound motorists, the MMTB installed the track lights. The Chief Engineer at the 24/3/1960 meeting of the Board advised of the scheme that the track lights would be progressively switched on in advance of a southbound tram. The line was eventually duplicated in Dec. 1966.
Yields information about a track lighting system to improve safety on a single line of tramway in East Coburg.
Black and white photo, plain back
nicholson st, single line, track lights, east coburg
Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board
Record of correspondence
Letters in date order
Details correspondence both internal and external with Councils about a possible tram line along Waverley Rad, Darling Rd, Koornang Rd to the the Carnegie tram terminus in Trugannini Road. Inlcudes cost estimate, and sketch plan.
tramways, new track, extensions, correspondence, darling road, carnegie, koornang rd
tramways, new track, extensions, correspondence, darling road, carnegie, koornang rd
Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board
Record of correspondence
Letters in date order
Details correspondence both internal and external with Councils and others about the construction of tramways along Hawthorn Road to East Brighton and beyond to Moorabbin Railway Station or along North Road. Includes estimates, notices to Passengers, fares for the extension south during 1937, notices to crews, staff working of the single line, and passenger figures.
tramways, new track, extensions, correspondence, hawthorn road, east brighton, safe working, new tramways
tramways, new track, extensions, correspondence, hawthorn road, east brighton, safe working, new tramways
Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board
Record of correspondence
Letters in date order
Details correspondence both internal and external with Councils and others about the possibility of extending the Burke Road line from the corner of Malvern Road along Waverley Road to Dandenong Rd, some 1.5miles. Has a small hand drawn map showing the various possibilities.
tramways, new track, burke road, extensions, malvern, correspondence
tramways, new track, burke road, extensions, malvern, correspondence
Notice No. D6406 and D6407, issued to advise Drivers and Conductors of the through trams from St Kilda Beach to Caulfield Racecourse, via Dandenong Road on Showday 30-9-1948. Gives the fares to be charged for each section for both the forward and return journeys. Second page gives the fares for special trams from the Racecourse to Cotham Road Kew - minimum fare for 4d. Issued to crews at Malvern and Kew Depots.
Yields information the tram fare arrangements for the Caulfield Races Show Day in 1948.
Document two foolscap duplicated sheets, pinned in top left hand corner.
tramways, caulfield races, special trams, fares, tickets, notices to staff
The document issued May 1937, signed by S M Richardson as Manager, sets out the duties and responsibilities of Traffic Inspectors, Rules and Instructions - General, supervision of employees, traffic, tram blockages, accidents and incidents.
Yields information Rules and Instructions for Traffic Inspectors in 1937.
Document or booklet - 16 printed pages + black outside card covers with grey end papers centre stapled.
Has the name "C N Cogle? Malvern Depot" in ink on the front inside cover.
tramways, inspectors, rules, instructions, traffic, traffic staff
The programme gives details of the "Eleventh Interstate Tramways Football Carnival" held in Melbourne during August 1952. Gives details of the Association officer bearers, history of the Tramways Australian National Football events and personnel, recent carnivals, Council meeting minutes, the Visitors' Itinerary, the three teams (NSW, SA and Vic) details. Has advertisements throughout the item.
Yields information about the "Eleventh Interstate Tramways Football Carnival" held in Melbourne during 1952.
Programme or booklet, 20 off white pages + orange cover sheet, centre stapled.
football, tramways, interstate carnivals, programme
The photograph is of an illustration of the Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St of a busy scene with a large horse drawn Landau open carriage arriving at the Town Hall. There is one north bound cable tram in the view along with a horse drawn cab and many pedestrians. Possibly taken from a magazine showing a state occasion. Possibly c1890.
Yields information about the Melbourne Town Hall and possibly a state event.
Black and white photograph with a plain back.
melbourne town hall, swanston st, cable tram, horse drawn vehicles
The photograph shows PCC Class tram No. 1041 when newly built in St Georges Road Thornbury on a test trip early in 1973. Has the destination of Special. The tram is in its original colour scheme. The tram was built in 1973 - see reference for the tram's story. In the background is a Shell service station.
Yields information about tram 1041 when new in 1973.
Colour print with photographers stamp on the rear.
Has the stamp of A E Twentyman Collection on the rear.
trams, tramways, pcc class, tram 1041, st georges road, thornbury, mmtb
The photograph shows W7 class tram 1018 and SW5 class tram 731 in the yard at Malvern depot, c1980's. Both trams have their run numbers visible in the front window. Tram 1018 is showing route 55 West Brunswick and 731 route 8 Toorak.
Yields information trams 1018 and 731 at Malvern depot.
Colour print with plain back.
trams, tramways, w7 class, tram 1018, tram 731, malvern depot, sw5 class, the met
The photograph shows a cable tram set with trailer No. 534 east bound in Bourke St on its way to Nicholson St passing the St. James Building at William Street. The conductor standing at the back of the grip car is in MMTB uniform with his ticket wallet in his left hand and bag visible. The grip man appears to be ringing his bell. There is a side advertisement for the "All Australian Exhibition". A reference to the exhibition is in The Argus of 3/11/1924 - see reference.
Yields information cable trams in Bourke St and their crews.
Photograph, black and white, plain back
trams, tramways, cable tram, bourke st, conductors, tram crews, william st, tram 534
The photograph shows a cable tram (Spencer St), trailer number 457, in Bourke St about to cross over Swanston St. The grip car or dummy is well loaded. In the background is the Leviathan Clothing Store 1913 - see reference for history details. The motor car ahead of the tram is doing a "Hook" turn into Bourke Street. A young man is skylarking at back of the tram for the photographer. Photo during the 1930s.
Yields information about the intersection of Bourke St cable tram services and the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets.
Photograph, black and white, plain back
trams, tramways, cable tram, swanston st, bourke st, the leviathan
The photograph shows a cable tram (Brunswick) with a bogie trailer, north bound in Elizabeth St having just crossed over Victoria St. The tram is flying two red ensigns. In the background is a horse drawn gig, and the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) building.
Yields information about the intersection of Victoria and Elizabeth Sts and the Brunswick cable tram services, 1920s.
Photograph, black and white, plain back
trams, tramways, cable tram, elizabeth st, victoria st, bogie cable trailers
The photograph shows the view of a passenger or conductor from the rear door of a cable tram trailer looking forward. The gripman in MMTB uniform is standing by his levers. Shows the longitudinal seats.
Yields information about cable trams in the 1920s and 1930s.
Photograph, black and white, plain back
trams, tramways, cable tram, gripmen, uniforms
The photograph shows the view of a gripman looking forward with his levers, the longitudinal seats and the head light. Also shown is the seat in the opposite corner of the grip car or dummy.
Yields information about cable trams in the 1920s and 1930s.
Photograph, black and white, plain back
trams, tramways, cable tram, gripmen, grip tram, dummy
The photograph shows the failure of a tramcar axle after being hit by a train (the Deepdene Dasher) at the Deepdene level crossing in 1923 - see pages 6 to 8 of the reference for details of the event and who was to blame.
Yields information about the damage to a tramcar axle after a collision with the Deepdene Dasher in 1923.
Photograph, black and white, with notes on the rear.
On rear in pencil "Car 65 run into by train at Deepdene, axle Hadfield centre"
tramways, axles, deepdene, accidents, collisions, tram 65, mmtb, trams, railways
The photograph shows the construction of the Stores building at Preston workshops during 1925. In the middle foreground is a lifting jib crane. The Lifting Shop is the background. See also items 5526 and 7418 for other construction photographs.
Yields information about the then new Preston Workshops being built.
Photograph, black and white, on Kodak Velox paper with notes on the rear.
On rear in black ink "17/6/25"
tramways, preston workshops, construction, buildings
The photograph shows a cable tram in Lonsdale St crossing William St. Alf Twentyman in his notes has identified it as West Melbourne trailer 364. In the background is the Supreme Court building and a tangle of telephone wires.
Yields information about cable trams in the 1890s.
Photograph, black and white, with notes on the rear.
On rear in blue ink "West Melbourne 364 probably early 1890s, later became North Melburne No. 4"
trams, tramways, cable tram, tram 364, lonsdale st, william st, supreme court
The photograph shows the view from the front seat of a cable tram travelling along St Kilda Road with another cable tram on the other track. The photo shows, though out of focus, the median strip trees, street lights and the rock kerb markers known as "dragon teeth". The line was converted to electric traction in 1925/26.
Yields information about St Kilda Road, possibly in the 1910s.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, st kilda road, grip car
The photograph shows a cable tram in Bourke St, crossing over the electric tram track in William Street. The Menzies Hotel 1867 (see reference) is in the background, along with the Goldborough Mort Woolstore building 1862 on the opposite corner. Also in the photo are the Melbourne Centenary "Lollypop" street decorations of 1934. The photo appears to be taken from the roof of the Shell Building in William Street.
Yields information about the Menzies Hotel and the intersection of Bourke and William St.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, bourke st, william st, menzies hotel, goldsborough mort, melbourne centenary
The photograph shows the interior of a Melbourne cable tram engine house, or powerhouse, with the steam cylinders and flywheels in the view. Location and date unknown.
Yields information about the interior of an cable tram engine house.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, engine house, power house
The photograph shows a cable tram entering Bourke Street from Spring Street bound for Spencer Street with the Victorian Parliament House in the background. The conductor is standing on the back platform. Photo has been copied and printed from a 120 Negative.
Yields information about the Bourke St cable trams and Parliament House.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, bourke st, parliament house, spring st, tram 543
The photograph shows a Northcote cable tram set - grip car and trailer No. 3. The trailer is lettered - Clifton Hill - Northcote & Preston. The background has been whited out though possibly a conductor and the gripman can be seen. For the story of the Northcote line, see the Museum's article - Northcote: the on again, off again cable tramway in the references.
Yields information about the Northcote cable trams before they were merged with the MMTB.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, northcote, clifton hill, tram 3
The photograph shows St Paul's Cathedral on the corner of Flinders and Swanston St Melbourne, before the construction of the spires during the 1930s. Several cable trams, including cable car 146 can be seen in Swanston St, along with many motor cars, buses and pedestrians. The photo is early 1920s. The cable line was converted to electric trams during 1925/1926.
Yields information about St Paul's Cathedral and Swanston St cable trams.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, swanston st, flinders st, tram 146, st paul's cathedral, buses
The photograph shows cable, trailer 41 climbing the Bridge Road hill just west of Waltham Steet bound for the city. A second cable set can be seen in the distance, bound for Hawthorn Bridge. Nearly all of the buildings on this south side of Bridge Road remain today including the former Forbes and Sons building. Photo possibly dated c1900.
Yields information about cable trams in Bridge Road Richmond and associated buildings.
Photograph, black and white, plain paper
trams, tramways, cable tram, bridge road, tram 41, richmond
The photograph shows cable, trailer 383 in Bridge Road Richmond inbound to the City about to cross Church Street. G. Sterling & Sons, draper and outfitters establishment of Richmond since 1860 on this site with their 1897 building in the background. The building remains and in 2024 is a Commonwealth Bank. Photo possibly taken c1920 as cable tram appears to be in a MMTB livery.
Yields information about cable trams in Bridge Road Richmond and associated buildings.
Photograph, black and white, Kodak paper.
trams, tramways, cable tram, tram 383, bridge road, church st, richmond
The photograph shows two cable tram sets in Nicholson St and Spring St alongside the Victorian Parliament House with multiple large flags flying. Alf Twentyman has noted "Clifton Hill 168, Nicholson St 55?."
Yields information about cable trams outside Parliament house - possibly mid 1900s.
Photograph, black and white, Kodak paper, with notes on rear.
in pencil on the rear - very faded - "Clifton Hill168, Nicholson St 55?."
trams, tramways, cable tram, alf twentyman, parliament house, nicholson st, spring st, tram 168
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.
