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Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Black and White photograph of a MMTB No. 5A truck St Louis only under 548 at Brunswick
One of a series of photographs done by the MMTB to illustrate the various types of bogies / trucks used by the MMTB. Possibly during the 1960's.
Two copies held
Metal badges - relief of a Melbourne V class, number 114 in a largely red colour scheme. with an enamel gloss finish. On the rear of the badge has stamped "Not Transferrable Taiwan"
Demonstrates an item made for wearing on a jacket or cap.
Badge - metal cut into the shape of a tram with a trolley pole and painted. Has a pin clip on the rear with a retention or secure style clip.
trams, tramways, v class, tram 214
The item features a The Met tram possibly No. 955 within a map of Australia with the words Melbourne underneath. A souvenir sold in shops of a visit to Melbourne or to send to someone.
Demonstrates an item made for souvenir shop sale.
Souvenir - gold coloured key ring with badge section of a Melbourne tram finished within a clear section.
trams, tramways, the met, badges, souvenirs
The badge features a MAN Melbourne bus in The Met colours. This type of bus was used by the MMTB and The Met from 1971 to 1993. Not known who made or produced the item.
Demonstrates an item made for wearing on a jacket or cap.
Badge - metal cut into the shape of a bus and painted. Has a pin clip on the rear with a retention or secure style clip.
trams, tramways, the met, badges, man buses
The badge features a conductor with many arrows pointing towards them and a list of people they were to assist such as lost, old, disabled, in a pram, and female. Made at the time of the big strike Jan. 1990 to support the retention of tram conductors. See also items 667, 668, and 1776 for similar badges made for the same purpose.
Demonstrates an item made to support the retention of Conductors.
Badge - Has a pin with a white plastic backing on the rear to enable to be fixed to an item of clothing. Has manufacturer's name and logo on the rear of badge - Badge Minit.
trams, tramways, the met, conductors, melbourne, badges
Lists provide information about the truck mileage for most trams at various dates: 1 - "Truck Mileage for period ending 1st June 1963 - noting it was prepared 15/5/1963 - shows trams in the Workshops or held out of service 2 - List of W2 class trams - High Mileage trucks - dated 24/5/1965 - prepared by R J Tippett - Inspecting Foreman. Also lists last 01, 02 and 03. 3 - list for trams 960 to 1040 showing when last truck change and motors - last date is June 1963.
Demonstrates MMTB practices monitoring truck or bogie change over dates, mileage and workshop practices.
Set of lists - photocopied, hand written or typed
trams, tramways, tramcars, wheels, w2 class, overhaul dates, maintenance, tramcar maintenance
Lists provide information about the type of equipment fitted to W2 class trams 1 - "Trams fitted with D K (Dick Kerr model) controlleres - dated 15/7/1963 2 - "Class W2 cars with 28" dia wheels" - 11/7/1963 3 - "Roller Bearing trams" - listed by motor type, giving the number armatures for GE 288, BTM 265, MV 101 and MV 101 BR motors - These trams were fitted with roller bearings on their armatures = dated 14/10/64.
Yields information about the equipment fitted to W2 class trams during the mid 1960s
Set of lists - carbon copies on either foolscap or quarto paper.
trams, tramways, tramcars, motors, wheels, armatures, dick kerr, w2 class
Provides information in the form of a letter to Parliamentary members about the reasons why the electrification of Collins St should proceed from the MMTB viewpoint, though it was not part of the 1923 General Scheme. The City of Melbourne initially wanted a conduit system, main issue was overhead wires, looks at other possibilities. Has a statement to the Press regarding the Board's decision to convert Collins St - options, Bourke St, Flinders St, traffic issues, and passenger / business development along Collins St. There was a lot of opposition to the proposal from the Doctors in the street.
Yields information about the replacement of the Collins St cable tramways with electric trams and the reasons why.
Set of six duplicated foolscap sheets secured by a foldable brass clip in top left hand corner.
trams, tramways, parliament, mr strangward, collins st, cable trams, tram replacement, electrification
Transcript of Evidence given to the Parliamentary Committee of Accounts by Mr W O Strangward, Secretary to the MMTB 13/9/1927 - in response to the question "What would be the extra cost to the public if motor buses were substituted for the existing tramways?" Looks at Fare Revenue, operating cost per vehicle mile, relative average speeds, number of tram and bus miles required to carry 224,000,000 passengers, standing passengers and capacity. Notes that 2.25 buses would be required to replace each existing tramcar. Examines Annual Operating cost for both forms, capital outlay including provision for spares, amortization of the present tramway debt and cost of roads. Has a financial summary showing the additional cost would be 1.878,500 pounds to run buses requiriing a fare increase of 75%. Conclusions also note that there is a place for buses on light routes, petrol or diesel production in Australia and accidents.
Yields information about the cost of running buses in Melbourne instead of trams based on 1927 information.
Set of nine duplicated foolscap sheets secured by a foldable brass clip in top left hand corner.
trams, tramways, bus replacement, buses, parliament, evidence, mr strangward, costs
The two pieces of laminate show the different shades used by the MMTB in their vehicles, both trams and buses. These two pieces have been cut for use in the Uniform Workshops to separate size and type of items, in this case trousers and lumber jackets.
Demonstrates two types of laminates used in MMTB vehicles and then used in the the MMTB or The Met uniform store clothing racks.
Set of two sheets of laminex with dymo letter punched into adhesive tape.
See item.
trams, tramways, uniforms
Article - "Melbourne cable and electric tramways" - with the subheading "First Substitution by Diesel Buses", with H H Bell, MMTB Chairman as the author. Describes the current system, cable tram operation, formation of the Board, Chairman Bell, Cameron, conversion, H H Bell's tour, closure of the cable system and operation by diesel buses, the new SW6 tram, Australian PCC cars, Diesel bus development, Fare Structure and notes the Board's payments to the fire brigade etc. Has photos of Y 469, Leyland cub buses, W5 736. Has adverts for Bell Punch ticket machines, Smith's clocks and Karrier trucks. There is a report from Thomas Tilling Ltd about their operation and annual reporting.
Yields information about Melbourne tramways in 1939 and the background history.
Magazine cutting from Modern Transport 25/2/1939 - pages 43 and 44
trams, tramways, mmtb, cable trams, buses, bus replacement, h h bell., melbourne, y class, w5 class, tram 469, tram 736, leyland cub
Used by the MMTB as a Transfer ticket from cable to electric trams. Enabled the passenger to pay one 2 1/2d fare rather than two separate fares. Printed for week day use only. See item 7410 for a 2d example.
Yields information about tickets used on Melbourne Trams in the 1920s
Paper cable tram tickets - 2 1/2d No. 260710 - red ink on a light red paper.
trams, tramways, mmtb, cable trams
Used by Doncaster bus depot to indicate to Inspectors and other staff the allocated run or timetable trip for a particular service. Was displayed in the front window of the vehicle.
Demonstrates a MMTB Run Number plate used on both trams and buses.
Run Number pressed plastic sheet with rounded corners, off white or cream sheet with the letter "D" and number "118" using a red adhesive tape.
trams, tramways, mmtb, timetables, buses, doncaster depot
Card features PCC Class tram 1041 in Bourke St at a tram stop on route 96 to East Brunswick. The tram entered service during August 1973, so presumed this card was printed in 1973. The tram is on display at the Museum at Hawthorn depot.
Demonstrates a MMTB Christmas Card issued with a photo of prototype tram 1041.
Card printed - 8 pages glued - colour photograph and gold front with MMTB logo. Two copies held.
tramways, mmtb, tram 1041, pcc class, christmas, greeting cards, bourke st, route 96
This type of ticket was issued by "safety zone sellers" at the busy city stops to relieve the work on tram conductors. The tram conductor would punch the ticket to cancel it. Has the issuer "MMTB" printed on the ticket and ticket number, Issued using Ultimate ticket machines. See item 7003 for an example.
Demonstrates a roll of tickets of the type that would be issued to ticket sellers.
Roll of Ultimate ticket machine paper tickets commencing 04099.
tramways, mmtb, tickets, ultimate, machine issued tickets
The two photographs show cable trams being shunted into the Brunswick Cable Tram Depot or car house from Sydney Road. The first shows a horse pulling a bogie tram trailer into the car house while the second shows the grip being pushed in by hand. Note the raised position of the grip when this shunting task is performed - 1920s.
Yields information about the shunting of cable trams at the Brunswick car house or depot.
Set of two black and white copy photographs with adhesive marks on the rear.
tramways, tramcars, cable trams, brunswick, brunswick depot, car house, shunting, mmtb, tram 41, trams, grip
Research Essay, possibly the final draft, by Leigh J Harding looking at the engine houses that powered the Melbourne cable tram system from an Engineering and Architectural viewpoint. Has pencil notations to where photographs would be placed. Provides details on the background to their construction by the Melbourne Tramways Trust in the 1880s. Includes notes on the land acquisition, site plan, internal layout plan and notes on the operations and disposal. Notes on the Essendon, Bendigo and Ballarat power stations are included. The author was a Melbourne University Architecture student with this very detailed study part of his course.
Yields information about the Melbourne cable tram engine houses and similar buildings.
Report - 82 foolscap pages - typed and handmade
tramways, tramcars, cable trams, engine house, winding houses, architects, power station
The report titled "Proposed Melbourne to Burwood Electric Tramway and Electrification of Hawthorn Horse Tramway" by McCarty Underwood dated May 1914. Report prepared as a precursor to the formation of the Hawthorn Tramways Trust. The report looks at the estimated costs, revenue, expenditure and engineering difficulties. Only considered a line to Burwood, not Wattle Park. Has a page looking at the use of Storage Battery cars.
Yields information about the establishment of the Burwood tram line.
Report - 16 printed foolscap sheets plus a fold out plan in colour, centre stapled.
Has "1" in a circle in indelible pencil in the top right hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, htt, burwood, report, battery trams
Book published by G D Peters & Co. of Caxton House Westminster London detailing the National Pneumatic door control systems. Provides an introduction, system types, door engines, folding door and step equipment, treadle plates, electrical and pneumatic fittings and location advice. This type of equipment was used on Melbourne tram and buses. Has the stamp of the Melbourne agents - Railways & Rolling Stock Equipment Ltd. throughout.
Yields information about the pneumatic door control systems of G D Peters.
Book - green paper covers containing approx 90 pages detailing the equipment offered with some coloured diagrams. Pages secured by two metal clips.
tramways, tramcars, g d peters, electro pneumatic, door controls, buses
Notes prepared by Norm Wadeson 1961 from Lands Department Records about the history of the Sorrento Tramway. Has notes on the formation, operation, passengers carried, land, possible extension, deputations to the Minister, Mr George Copin, and closure.
Yields information about the Sorrento tramway co. and its Lands Department records.
Two quarto sheets, typed - stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, sorrento, george coppin
A report was written by Alf Twentyman titled "The Horse Omnibuses" about the operation firstly by the Melbourne Omnibus Co from 23/3/1869 and then from 1877 the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co. Looks at the routes, buses, staff, and stables operated. Includes notes on Race days, St Patrick's Day and other special traffic days, passenger loadings, operations and why the Johnston St cable line was known as the Carlton line.
Yields information about Melbourne's horse omnibuses operated by the Melbourne Omnibus Co.
Three foolscap sheets - photocopied - stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, horse buses, omnibues, melbourne omnibus co., mtoco, races, st patricks day
Third Annual Report of the Footscray Tramway Trust, for the year ending 30/9/1919. Lists the Trust Members, Consulting Engineers, and Secretary. Details the Trust's activities, finances, and a short review of activities noting the supply of energy from the Victorian Railways Newport Power Station. Engineering report by Christie & Gardiner detailing the construction, welding of joints, tar surfacing, substation equipment, fitting equipment to the seven ex HTT tramcars at Footscray, delivery of equipment for the tramcars, but a delay in the delivery of the trolley wire. There are four pages of accounts and one page for the Auditor's statement. The Trust was taken over by the MMTB during Feb. 1920 who completed the work and commissioned the tramway.
Yields information about the construction of the Footscray Tramway Trust tramways.
Eleven foolscap sheets, duplicated, pinned with a removable foldable clip in top left hand corner. Two copies held.
tramways, tramcars, ftt, footscray tramways trust, new tramways, rails, tramway construction, annual reports, htt
Second Annual Report of the Footscray Tramway Trust, for the year ending 30/9/1918. Lists the Trust Members, Consulting Engineers, and Secretary. Details the Trust's activities, finances and a short review of activities. Engineering report by Christie & Gardiner detailing the construction, supply of materials, rails, special work, and that 7 Combination Cars had been purchased along with motors and trucks. Has four pages of financial statements. The First World War restricted progress in acquiring materials. The tramcar bodies were purchased from the Hawthorn Tramway Trust (HTT). The change in Consulting Engineers was mostly likely due to issues that the firm of McCarty Underwood had with the HTT.
Yields information about the construction of the Footscray Tramway Trust tramways.
Ten foolscap sheets, duplicated, pinned with a removable foldable clip in top left hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, ftt, footscray tramways trust, new tramways, rails, tramway construction, annual reports, htt
First Annual Report of the Footscray Tramway Trust, for the year ending 30/9/1917. Lists the Trust Members, Consulting Engineers, and Secretary. Details the Trust's activities, financial loans, construction, car barn, and that it is the first Australian Tramway to use Australian-made rails. Engineering report by McCarty Underwood lists the lines to be built, and rails to use an 80lb/yard NSW railway section with a 30lb/yard bolt-on check rail. Notes the intention to have 7 one-man-operated cars and 3 combination cars. Gives expected cost of operations. Lists the Footscray Council Officers that were involved in the project. Supplementary letter from McCarty Underwood about the cost of the rails and the composite section dated 15/11/1917.
Yields information about the construction of the Footscray Tramway Trust tramways.
Ten foolscap sheets, duplicated, stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, ftt, footscray tramways trust, new tramways, rails, tramway construction, annual reports
Document gives the data about scheduled speeds in miles per hour for General Electric GE-264 motors for stops per miles, gear ratios, and wheel sizes for form A and B motors. Has a table for truck or bogie data and weights. Enabled street car or tramway operators to select their equipment and motors.
Demonstrates a GE data sheet to assist tramway engineers in their equipment selection.
Data sheet typed on foolscap paper.
tramways, tramcars, ge, general electric, motors, specifications
The colour prints show a Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust - PMTT electrical switching or cable pillar box in City Road, near Queensbridge St, South Melbourne.
Yields information about a former PMTT Electrical switch box
Set of 2 colour prints on Crystal Archive paper and 35mm negatives.
tramways, pmtt, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, electrical switching, switch box
Set of four colour prints of the Victorian Railways tramway shelter at the Brighton Beach Gardens and three of the shelter in The Esplanade Brighton Beach. See item 7479 for colour slides as well.
Yields information about VR tramway shelters
Set of 7 colour prints on Crystal Archive paper and 35mm negatives.
tramways, shelters, vr, brighton beach, sandringham, esplanade, bay road
Set of 23 colour slides of MMTB tramway substations and the Victoria St Office, by Robert Green Mar 1990. 1 - Carlton Substation - Queensberry St. 2 - Carlton Substation - Queensberry St. 3 - Coburg - Moore St 4 - Glen Huntly Depot substation 5 - Fitzroy - Young St. 6 - Fitzroy - Young St. 7 - Station St Camberwell 8 - Malvern Tram depot 9 - Brunswick Rd, Brunswick 10 - Brunswick Rd, Brunswick 11 - Brunswick Rd, Brunswick 12 - Holden St North Fitzroy 13 - Holden St North Fitzroy 14 - East Kew - High St. 15 - East Kew - High St. 16 - East Kew - High St. 17 - East Kew - High St. 18 - Little Bourke St Melbourne 19 - Former branch offices - Victoria Parade Fitzroy 20 - Former branch offices - Victoria Parade Fitzroy 21 - Former branch offices - Victoria Parade Fitzroy 22 - Former branch offices - Victoria Parade Fitzroy - 2004 23 - Former branch offices - Victoria Parade Fitzroy = 2004
Yields information about Melbourne tramway substations
Set of 23 Kodak colour slides in plastic mounts.
All slides have their location marked on them in black ink.
tramways, mmtb, substations, carlton, queensberry st, coburg, glen huntly, north fitzroy, young st, camberwell, malvern depot, brunswick road, brunswick, holden st, east kew, little bourke st, branch offices, victoria parade
Set of 15 colour slides of Tramway Board and MMTB tramway shelters, by Robert Green Feb1990. 1 - Macarthur St and St Andrews Place (Tramway Board) 2 - Macarthur St and St Andrews Place (Tramway Board) 2A - Macarthur St and St Andrews Place (Tramway Board) - logon on the shelter 3 - SW Corner of St Kilda Road & High St 4 - Cnr St Kilda Road and Dorcas St 5 - Batman Ave and St Kilda Road - removed with Batman Ave closed, now at the TMSV Bylands 6 - ditto 7 - ditto - shows the Bundy clock on the office wall. 8 - Victoria and Brunswick Streets 9 - ditto 10 - Cnr St Kilda Road and Bromby St 11 - Victoria and Brunswick Streets 12 - Cnr Dandenong Road and Wattletree Road 13 - Victoria and Brunswick Streets 14 - Bourke and Spencer Streets - note the Bundy clock. Behind is the MTOCo Offices and Carlyons Hotel.
Yields information about Melbourne tramway shelters.
Set of 14 Kodak colour slides in plastic mounts and one unmounted phtograph
All slides have their location marked on them in black ink.
tramways, shelters, tramway board, mmtb, macarthur st, st kilda road, brunwick st, batman ave, victoria parade, wattletree road, bourke st
Tramway Pass for a Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldier pass No. 505 made out to R H Prentice of Prahran and signed by R A Spencer MMTB Secretary. Has the availability conditions, and is available until 30/6/1948. Mr Bob Prentice was a tramway enthusiast who collected VR Tramcar No. 20, photographs and items and authored several small books about Victorian Tramways. See January 1993 and the April. 2024 (page 9) issues of Ballarat Tramway Museum Fares Please - (reference links)
Has a strong association with a well respected tramway enthusiast and collector.
Grey cloth card folded item with two pre-printed pieces of paper glued to the inside, one with details of the holder on the left hand and the right hand side with a photograph of the holder.
tramways, trams, soldiers, tickets, mmtb, passes, bob prentice
Letter addressed to Mrs B Bartley of Carlton dated 6/6/1965 regarding the possibility of rejoining the Board as a conductress. Details the wages average earnings, and leave etc. Signed by the Secretary W Aird. The photograph shows a lady conductress on a tram step of W2 258, presumably Mrs. Bartley. Not known whether she took up the offer.
Has a close association with Mrs Bartley and demonstrates MMTB recruiting at the time of a shortage of staff.
Letter on a sheet of quarto MMTB Letterhead with a black and white photograph taped to the bottom right hand corner.
tramways, tramcars, conductress, w2 class, tram 258, job offer, mmtb
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