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.
old stager contrasting the working conditions of the MTO Co to that of the MMTB
Can you reuse this media without permission? Yes
Public domain
This media item is listed as being within the public domain. As such, this item may be used by anyone for any purpose.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Can you reuse this media without permission? Yes
Public domain
This media item is listed as being within the public domain. As such, this item may be used by anyone for any purpose.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Manuscript of an possible article - 2 quarto sheets - untitled - memories of an "old stager" contrasting the working conditions of the MTO Co to that of the MMTB. Looks as the hackney license, pay rates, hours, leave, cash deposit bond, uniforms. Finishes off complaining about the union executive and its relationship with the Board at the time.
Undated - c1930?
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
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 H 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
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.
