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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.
Newspaper clippings titled:
“Our courteous commuters”
Newspaper clipping from the Age 21/11/2019
Letters section
Positive feedback from tram user on city trams. Passenger was offered seat by community minded people.
Pamphlet produced by Met Tram Marketing about the hiring of trams - gives rates, seating capacity, depots and tram types. Has a list of depots and the contact details. Not dated, c1995. Has an enquiry form attached.
Yields information about hiring a tram c1995.
Pamphlet, 3 fold DLfull colour.
met tram, tramways, tram hire, charters
Pamphlet produced by Met Bus, the Government operator of 7 routes following the 1993 tender to provide information on the operation, its plans, public transport, routes operated, contact details and general information. Managing Director John G Wilson. Services were operated out of the former Footscray Tram depot in Buckley St.
Yields information about Met Bus in 1993.
Pamphlet, 3 fold DLfull colour.
met bus, buses, public transport
Typed report by Mr Alex Cameron of the PMTT titled "Chairman giving a comparison between Original and Revised estimate of Noyes Bros in regard to proposed tramways" Orginal Estimate dated May 1906, revised June 1907. One of the principal savings was the purchase of power from the Electric Traction and Lighting Co instead of building their own Power Station. There were other changes to the estimates for track, alterations to sewers, water mains and drains, and rolling stock.
Yields information about the cost of construction of the first stage of the PMTT in 1907.
Document or report 5 foolscap sheets - carbon copy
tramways, tramcars, pmtt, costs, new tramways
Typed report on the type of brake shoe fittings fitted to each tram as at 8/7/1963. The report lists each passenger tram from VR 52 to W71040, and what their status was if not in use - eg stored, sold, scrapped. The list excludes the early MMTB trams of A to V class. Works cars are not listed.
Yields information about the status of the MMTB Passenger fleet in 1963 and the type of brake shoe types fitted to each.
Document or report 5 foolscap sheets - carbon copy
tramways, tramcars, lists, scrapped trams, brakes
Typed report on the possibility of converting solid steel wheels to wheel centres after they were worn out and then placing a tire or tyre onto them. Looks at the costs, and mileages. Understood this was not proceeded with. Report dated 24/7/1964.
Yields information about the examination of costs and methods of recycling solid wheels as wheel centres.
Document or report 1 foolscap sheet - carbon copy
tramways, technical information, preston workshops, costs, wheels, tyres
Typed report on the use of precision casting methods at Preston Workshops foundry to reduce the amount of machining post-casting. Looks at the methods of precision casting, the type of equipment needed for this, and those companies in Melbourne using shell moulding, Includes an extensive list of items and the number of units used each year that this method could be used for. Report by J Scholtz dated 12-7-1963.
Yields information about the examination of costs and methods of using shell moulding processes at Preston Workshops.
Document or report 7 foolscap sheets - carbon copy
tramways, technical information, preston workshops, costs, foundry, castings, plate shop
Typed report on the costs of overhauls by Preston Workshops for 01, 02 and 03 type split in to tram type for three financial years 1960 to 1963. Shows that the cost of overhauls of W2's class tramcars was more expensive than that of the steel framed tramcars. Dated 4/9/1963.
Yields information about the costs of overhauling trams during the early 1960s.
Document or report foolscap sheet - carbon copy
tramways, technical information, overhauls, preston workshops, tramcar maintenance, costs
Booklet published by the Melbourne Tramways Trust outlining its operations to Oct. 1888. Gives details on the formation, Trust members, Committee, motive power, Officers, agreements, Acts, description of the cable system including materials, relocation of services, horse or cable, contracts, engines and boilers, issues with patents, and dates of opening of lines to 26/10/1888. Gives details of each line, contracts, engine houses, issues, including horse tramways with some notes on finance.
Yields information about the construction of Melbourne Cable tramways to 10/1888.
Booklet - 48 pages stapled and glued within light manila coloured cover.
tramways, cable trams, mtt, mtoco, track construction, engine houses
Produced by Yarra Trams - Keolis Downer for the information of tram drivers, providing information on each tram route. Dated 12/2021. For each route gives details of the suburbs served, attractions, public hospitals and police stations. The fold out sheets lists every tram stop with with their stop number, stop id, zone and symbols regarding the location such as the Arts Centre.
Demonstrates a Yarra Tram publication for the use of employees to provide information to passengers.
Wire bound booklet, 24 foldout pages, + 1 sheet + card covers, titled "Network Guide"
yarra trams, tram routes, tramways, routes, stop information
Provides information on the General Electric B series controllers, including BA, BA-2, B3, B4, B8, B13, B16, B19, B23, B24 controllers. Lists the various parts, with some illustrations. Has sheets giving the drum development or connections as the controller is moved through the various notices. The B23 type controller was used on Melbourne Maximum Traction bogie trams.
Yields information about early General Electric controllers
Document 32 pages printed on quarto paper within a cardboard folder, with pages 3 & 4 missing - parts catalogue No. 4724A of Oct. 1910.
tramways, technical information, tramcars, electrical equipment, tram controllers, general electric
Provides information on the British Westinghouse 90 and 90M controllers. Lists the various parts, prices and illustrations. Has a sheet giving the drum development or connections as the controller is moved through the various notices. The 90M controller was used on some ESCo Ballarat tramcars.
Yields information about early Westinghouse controllers
Document 18 pages printed on quarto paper within a cardboard folder - parts catalogue No. 6554, May 1913
tramways, technical information, tramcars, electrical equipment, tram controllers, westinghouse
Report by T Hamilton Engineer and Secretary of the Melbourne Tramways Trust dated 10/3/1913 on the wear of the Melbourne cable rails with the assistance of Mr Gerard Wight on Melbourne University. Looks at the type of rail used, the wear per annum on average, life span, wood blocks and a summary of the wear on each line including the opening dates. Includes comments on the renewal of the rails and the relationship with the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co.
Yields information about the wear on the Melbourne cable tram rails by 1913.
Document printed quarto paper, four pages.
tramways, technical information, motors, cable trams, rails, track materials, track maintenance, mtt, mtco
Provides information on the GE 264 Ventilated Commutating Pole Motor, prepared by the MMTB dated 4/8/1922. Gives graphs for various gear ratios and wheel sizes. Would have been used for gear and wheel size selection. This type of motor was used in X 217 - see reference.
Yields information about the motor used in Birney X 217
Document printed on foolscap paper.
tramways, technical information, tramcars, electrical equipment, motors, x class, tram 217
"Westinghouse Australia self-lapping driver's brake valve Type W" circular No. C6 dated 1936, describing the type of brake valve, its features, operations, adjustment, associated double check valve and drawings shown with parts. This type of valve was used by the MMTB, replacing the Manual Lap type on almost the entire fleet. It gives a lot better control over the braking of a tram by drivers.
Yields information about the Westinghouse Type W brake valve.
Document or catalogue circular - 4 loose pages, quarto No. C6
tramways, technical information, tramcars, brakes, brake valves, westinghouse
EMB circular No. 45 giving details of their "steel case controllers for tramways, ships winches etc. This type was not used by the MMTB.
Yields information about the EMB "Steel case controllers"
Document or catalogue circular - 4 pages with two punch holes on the left hand side.
tramways, technical information, emb, tramcars, electrical equipment, tram controllers
EMB circular No. 63 giving details of their "Unbreakeable jointless rustless grid type resistances" used in tramcars such as the Melbourne W7 class trams, steelworks, cranes etc. Gives details of the materials, repairs, terminals, and their use in tramcars either underfloor or in steel cases.
Yields information about the EMB "Unbreakeable jointless rustless grid type resistances"
Document or catalogue circular - 12 pages centre stapled with two punch holes on the left hand side.
tramways, technical information, emb, resistance grids, tramcars, electrical equipment
British Westinghouse (UK) Technical information document titled "Circular B1080 - No. 200 Tramway Motor" - providing details of the motor, its characteristics, technical details, photographs, dimensions and output graph. On the rear cover is a list of company offices
Yields information about the Westinghouse No. 200 tramway motor.
Document or catalogue circular - 12 pages centre stapled with four punch holes on the left hand side.
tramways, westinghouse, motors, technical information
British Westinghouse (UK) Technical information document titled "Circular B1113 - No. 220 Tramway Motor" - providing details of the motor, its characteristics, technical details, photographs, dimensions and output graph. On the rear cover is a list of company offices
Yields information about the Westinghouse No. 220 tramway motor.
Document or catalogue circular - 16 pages centre stapled with two punch holes on the left hand side.
tramways, westinghouse, motors, technical information
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 95, recording the work done on the reconstruction of the HTT track for the week ending. The card has been marked up in ink for changes to the layout, at the time of the takeover of the Trust by the MMTB and the formation of the Eastern System. The HTT tramway track had fell apart due to poor ballasting material and had to be reconstructed by the Trust and the MMTB.
Demonstrates an HTT track reconstruction form.
Printed form on off white - form No. 95
tramways, htt, forms, trackwork, track repairs
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 89, recording the inspection of the various electrical components of tramcars. The three cards have been marked up in pencil for changes to the layout, at the time of the takeover of the Trust by the MMTB and the formation of the Eastern System.
Demonstrates an HTT tramcar maintenance form.
Printed form on blue card - form No. 89 - set of 3
tramways, htt, forms, tramcar maintenance, tramcar inspection
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 82, recording the oiling of the various components of tramcars over 28 day period. Has been marked up in pencil for changes to the layout, at the time of the takeover of the Trust by the MMTB and the formation of the Eastern System.
Demonstrates an HTT tramcar maintenance form.
Printed form on off white card - form No. 82
tramways, htt, forms, tramcar maintenance, tramcar inspection
Hawthorn Tramways Trust form No. 91, recording the inspection, and repair work needed on the body of tramcars. 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. Notes 800 wanted.
Demonstrates an HTT tramcar maintenance form.
Printed form on green card - form No. 91
tramways, htt, forms, tramcar maintenance, tramcar inspection
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 to be for the cost of property and 1 screw driver. Signed by H Guice who became the MMTB Treasurer and Accountant and was Acting Secretary in 1953. Herbert (Bert) Norman Guice was appointed by the HTT at its meeting of 21/1/1916 as its Accountant. He retired from MMTB in 1956.
Demonstrates an HTT receipt form and has a close association with the signatory - H Guice who had a long career in the Melbourne Tramways.
Completed duplicate receipt form dated 10 June 1919
tramways, htt, forms, receipts, h 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
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.
