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"To think we once hated those buses"
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Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper clipping from The Sun, Saturday 18/3/1950 titled "To think we once hated those buses", about the early Melbourne bus and development of the bus services including cable trams, electric trains and trams. Has a photo of a suburban tram and a Kew horse tram. Written by Frank Moloney.
Photograph shows a cable tram set, trailer No. 559 at the West Melbourne terminus in Abbotsford St at Queensberry St, opposite the engine house. The trailer has the destination of "West Melb". The crew are standing by the grip in MMTB Uniforms. The line closed in July 1935 (see item 1784).
Yields information about the West Melbourne cable terminus and tram 559.
Photograph, black and white, plain back.
Has "10" in pencil on rear.
trams, tramways, cable tram, west melbourne, tram 559, abbotsford st, uniforms, crews
Photograph shows an inbound cable tram - bogie trailer in Royal Parade Parkville at Walker St. The building behind the tram remains in 2024. Photo copied from another photograph.
Yields information about the view along Swanston St from Bourke St.
Photograph, black and white, plain back.
trams, tramways, cable tram, royal parade, parkville
Postcard of Swanston St Melbourne, looking south from Bourke St, Rose Series No. P4458. Has a W2 possibly No. 562 south bound showing route 2A ( ST KILDA BEACH VIA SOUTH MELBOURNE - CITY (via Swanston Street)) which dates from 1930. The Shrine of Remembrance is not visible. There are other trams in the view as well. In the background are the Royal Mail Hotel, Browns stores, Carlton Cigarettes, Robur Tea, Ezywalkin shoes and the Leviathan store
Yields information about the view along Swanston St from Bourke St.
Postcard - black and white, divided back, unused.
"$3" in pencil on the rear.
trams, tramways, w2 class, swanston st, tram 562, route 2a
Colour postcard, with two cable tram sets in Queens Parade Clifton Hil and the buildings on with side of the very wide roadway.
Yields information about the view along Queens Parade Clifton Hill.
Postcard - colour with divided back, used with a Victorian 1d stamp on the rear.
Handwritten note and date stamp of the Clifton Hill Post Office. Has a Christmas Greetings on the rear for a person in Sebastopol.
trams, tramways, cable trams, clfiton hill, queens parade
Postcard of Collins St looking west from Russell St with W2 class tram No. 629 with the destination of Victoria St. The tram entered service during July 1930. Has route number boxes fitted but not in use. Another W2 class tram is westbound. There is a policeman on point duty along with many motor cars. Photo early 1930s. Unknown publisher.
Yields information about the view along Collins St from Russell St.
Postcard - black and white, divided back, unused.
trams, tramways, collins st, w2 class, tram 629
Colour postcard, No. 60717. of the view looking west from Swanston St along Bourke St. c1900 with two cable car sets in the view. Has the Leviathan store on the left, Town Hall, Robertson & Moffat and the Vander? Plugge? Hotel on the right. A Policeman is on duty and a man sweeping the roadway into a pan.
Yields information about the view along Bourke St from Swanston St,
Postcard - colour with divided back, used with two Victorian 1/2d stamps on the rear.
Handwritten note and date stamp.
trams, tramways, cable trams, bourke st
Colour postcard, H&B series, No. 6 of Collins St Melbourne looking west from near Exhibition St Has the Independent Church, Scots Church and Georges in the view along with the Town Hall. Tram has the destination of Spring St. Photo c1910
Yields information about the view along Collins St from near Exhibition St.
Postcard - colour with divided back
In pencil on rear "28/5/1987"
trams, tramways, cable trams, collins st, scots church, independent church
Photo of the interior of an engine house showing the tension wheels for three different cables. See page 76 of Mind The Curve by Keating, showing the cable tensioning arrangements. Based on a review of the window arrangements, it is believed to be the Nicholson St and Gertrude St winding house. See attached email.
Yields information about the interior of a engine house powering three separate cables.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, cable trams, engine houses, power house, winding house, gertrude st
Photo of a cable grip or dummy at the Abbotsford St terminus, North Melbourne. This line closed during July 1935 and was converted to electric trams. Photographer and date unknown, mid 1930s?
Yields information about the Abbotsford St terminus, late 1930s.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, cable trams, abbotsford st, north melbourne
Photo of a cable tram set, trailer 389 at the Bourke St terminus shortly after its arrival. Passengers are waiting in the Safety Zone, for the shunting to be completed before returning to Nicholson St. in the background are the Bourke St West Police station, Hudson's Stores, the MTO Co. Head office building and Carlyons Hotel. Under the awning of the MTOC Head office building is Buchanan;s Cafe. Photo late 1930s
Yields information about the Bourke St cable tram terminus, late 1930s
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, south melbourne, tram 306, cable trams, park st
Photo of a cable tram set, trailer 306, in Park St South Melbourne with the St Vincent Gardens in the background. The photo is taken after the construction of the Collins St electric line in 1929 as the destination board notes the tram is connecting with Collins St electric trams. The gripman is waiting for the phtograph to be taken, with the Conductor on the platform of the trailer car. In the background are the Gardens and housing of this area. Photo c1930. The South Melbourne cable tram line closed for conversion in 1937.
Yields information about the South Melbourne cable tram line and Park St.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, south melbourne, tram 306, cable trams, park st
Photo of a cable tram set that has arrived at the Northcote line terminus in High St, prior to shunting. Another two cable sets are in the background. The gripman and conductor can be seen to be preparing to shunt the tram. The photo caption says the trailer is No. 235. A Bundy clock can been seen on the pavement on the left side of the photograph. A hairdresser and tobacconist shop are in the view. Photographer and date unknown.
Yields information about Northcote cable tram terminus in High St at Dundas St.
Black and white print with a hand written note on rear.
In pencil "Car 235 at Dundas St"
trams, tramways, northcote, high st, cable trams, tram 235, bundy clock
Photo of VR tram No. 29 (St Kilda Rly Stn) standing outside the Elwood Depot, waiting for the crew before returning to St Kilda Station. A conductor can been seen walking back to the offices. Photo by Les G Poole, mid 1950s.
Yields information about VR trams and Elwood depot.
Black and white print with source stamp on rear
Has stamp of the ARHS Vic Div L G Poole Collection on rear.
trams, tramways, vr trams, elwood tram depot, tram 29, crews
Photograph of 6 men, with gripman William Baker Strong, seated on the table, playing draughts. Based on item 7627, most likely at the Prahran Car House or Depot Mess Room. Two conductors are wearing their trip slip safety pins. One of the men is wearing a large cape and could be either a gripman or a signalman. All the crew members are wearing the uniform of Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co (MTOCo).
Yields information about the tram crews at the Prahran car house in 1914 and W B Strong.
Print of a copy of a black and white photograph on AGFA paper.
"William B Strong playing draughts, seated on table at M&MTB" in ink on lower edge of print.
cable trams, prahran, prahran car house, group photos, mtoco, crews, tram crews, grip men, conductors
Photograph of 18 men at the Prahran cable tram car house or Depot, corner of Carlisle St and Chapel St with a cable tram set behind. Group consists of a number of conductors, gripmen and staff members. Photo dated to be 1914 with gripman William Baker Strong identified in the photo.
Yields information about the tram crews at the Prahran car house in 1914 and W B Strong.
Print of a copy of a black and white photograph on AGFA paper.
"W B Strong six from left rear 1914" in ink on lower edge of print.
cable trams, prahran, prahran car house, group photos, mtoco, crews, tram crews, grip men, conductors
Document prepared for Yarra Trams staff to provide an operations plan for the reconstruction of Port Junction, route 96, Feb. 2009. Has a table of contents.
Demonstrates a Yarra Trams operations plan.
Document - 35 pages, full colour stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, route 96, port junction, trackwork
Route guides for route 55 (West Coburg - Domain Road), route 47 (West Maribyrnong) and route 86 (Bundoora - Central Pier) which has a note about the Flinders St overpass removal in 2005. See item 1253 for details and associated route guides. Has the logos of Yarra Trams, Metlink and Metcard.
Demonstrates Metlink / Yarra trams route guides.
Set of 3 DL pamphlets - full colour
tramways, timetables, maps, route 57, route 55, route 86
Information document titled "Temporary Service changes" from https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information/article/routes-1-3-5-6-16-64-67-72-temporary-service-changes-from-first-tram-monday-26-august-to-to-last-tram-sunday-15-september-2024 Shows the proposed tram arrangements and alternatives. See item 7300 for the Yarra Trams consultative document.
Yields information about the trackwork reconstruction project at Swanston and Victoria Streets.
Digital Image of a two-page A4 information document downloaded 28/8/2024.
proposed works, swanston st, franklin st, victoria st, elizabeth st, trackworks, consultation
Digital document from Public Transport Victoria (PTV) about the installation of platform stops in La Trobe St including the removal of existing stops. Has a map and images of the works that were undertaken during July and August 2024.
Demonstrates a PTV information document regarding the installation of Platform stops in La Trobe St.
Digital document - 5 pages
tramways, platform stops, consultation, la trobe st, tram tracks
Digital document from Engage Victoria looking at options and feedback for possible changes to the Route 86 route in Fitzroy and Northcote areas for the introduction of low platform stops in Gertrude, High and Smith Sts. Includes a map for proposed stops and existing stops. The document notes that funding for stop upgrades is part of a future budget process.
Demonstrates a Consultative document by Engage Vic. April 2024.
Digital document - 10 pages
tramways, platform stops, consultation, route 86, fitzroy, northcote, smith st, gertrude st, high st
Digital document from Engage Victoria looking at options and feedback for possible changes to the Route 82 route in Maribyrnong and Footscray areas for the introduction of low platform stops in Gorden St and Droop St. Includes a map for proposed stops and existing stops. The document notes that funding for stop upgrades is part of a future budget process.
Demonstrates a Consultative document by Engage Vic. August 2024.
Digital document - 11 pages
tramways, platform stops, footscray, maribyrnong, route 82, consultation
Digital document - "History of Kew Depot" by Hugh Waldron from the establishment of tramways in the area including steam tramways, horse tramways, background history to tramways, cable trams, building of the depot by the PMTT in 1915, operation by the MMTB, events, people, incidents, through to July 2017. Includes a bio of the author on page 54. Updated to 21/6/2024.
Yields information about the history of Kew Depot and its relationship with Melbourne tramways.
Digital document - 54 A4 pages
tramways, crews, depots, kew depot, history, hugh waldron
Digital document - MTA Tram Division Relief points and allowances, shift composition each depot July 1989 - listing crew relief points for each depot, routes, times allowed, tram shift composition, (shows shift start and finish times), and the number of rosters at the time.
Yields information about MTA tram depot shifts and rosters.
Digital document - 5 pages
tramways, crews, rosters, depots
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily return" for MMTB dated 5/4/1938 - form 71 of 6/37. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers and the cars for the All Night services and their availability. Lists 6 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. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare notes on applicants for a position - Snesby? ,Fay, Hughes, Jones, Snout, Low, Quick and Coates giving details of seniority, service and Order from buses. See item 7521, 7516 and 7517 for similar reports.
Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at electric tram running sheds - 1925 employee listing.
Completed preprinted foolscap form with typed information and hand writing on the rear.
tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, employment
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily return" for MMTB dated 4/5/1925 - form 71. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers Lists 1 car taken out of service - defective or accidents, provides detail of the status of fire services at depots, and watchmen's tell tales. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare a report by K L Mackenzie on applicants for the Compressed Gas Plant attendant at Clifton Hill depot. The Compressed Gas plant was part of the equipment installed to provide gas for the buses during the early stage of the Second World War. Names listed are: Hence, Wrigly, Maynard, Fay, Coates, Stephens, Lyons, and Langton. See item 7521, 7516 and 7518 for similar reports.
Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at electric tram running sheds - 1925 and the compressed gas system attendants.
Completed preprinted foolscap form with typed information and hand writing on the rear.
tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, cable trams, clifton hill, compressed gas, buses
Administrative record - "Superintendent of cable running sheds daily return" for MMTB dated 21/2/1938 - form 21A of 11/37. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - cars and dummies, and their availability. Lists 2 cars taken out of service - issues or accidents. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare a report by K L Mackenzie on applicants for the Compressed Gas Plant attendant at Clifton Hill depot. The Compressed Gas plant was part of the equipment installed to provide gas for the buses during the early stage of the Second World War. Names listed are: Hence, Wrigly, Maynard, Fay, Coates, Stephens, Lyons, Langton, and C J M Campbell. See item 7521, 7517 and 7518 for similar reports.
Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at cable tram running sheds - 1938.
Completed preprinted quarto form with typed information with hand writing on rear.
tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, cable trams, clifton hill, compressed gas, buses
News Release from the Minister for Public Transport Alan Brown, dated 18/11/1993 - about the future of the W class tram, keeping at least 51, the delivery of the B class tram, and keeping a further 50 for supplementary service. The Herald Sun item by Damon Johnston quotes the release and Alan Brown, Michael Norbury, Paul Mees of the PTUA, Lou Di Gregorio of the Union. Notes the proposed expenditure of $200,000 on each of the trams to be kept. Also has an item of British tourist Will Bright about the use of W class trams and his thoughts along with a photo - written by Anita Quigley.
Yields information the announcement of a policy regarding the W class in 1993 by Government.
News Release - 2 A4 pages stapled and Newspaper clipping from Herald Sun 19/11/1993
tramways, w class, national trust, tramcars, alan brown, b class trams, refurbishment
Article by Damon Johnston about Jeff Kennett and Melbourne's W class tram future including the development of a polity for their future. The reporter notes the lack of awareness for W class trams, compared to the general tram fleet, compares performance with Z class fleet. Quotes National Trust, PTUA and Charles Sowerwine of Melb. Uni urban historian. See item 7613 for the decision News Release.
Yields information the formation of a policy regarding the W class in 1993 by Government.
Newspaper clipping from Herald Sun 28/9/1993
tramways, w class, national trust, tramcars
Report titled "Historic tram plan derailed", concerning a report by Monash University Accident Research Centre about the crashworthiness of the W class trams. Notes issues with the timber framed cabins, National Trust, and others. Quotes Norm Cross about the 1993 proposal with a photo of the tram that was to be the prototype.
Yields information about the investigation into the crash worthiness of the W class tram and Monash University report.
Newspaper clipping from Herald Sun 26/3/2003.
tramways, w8 class, preston workshops, w class, accidents, national trust, monash university
Report on the David Larwill tram No. 722 being removed from service and possibly being painted over. Includes notes on the Ministry of Arts contracts, other trams such as Mental as Anything, and photos of four of the trams and David Lawill. Written by Suzy Freeman-Greene.
Has a close association with the David Larwill Transporting Art tram No. 722.
Newspaper clipping from The Age, 1/4/1992
tramways, transporting art, tram 722, david larwill
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