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.
Untitled image
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
Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of PCC 980, south bound in Glenferrie Road, , about to cross over the Kooyong Station Level crossing while running a route 69, St Kilda Beach. c1950.
Alongside is a Sheldon's Baby Napkin Laundry van.
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 Northcote on a test trip. 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
The photograph shows W7 class tram 1018 and W5 class tram 731 in the yard at Malvern depot, c1980. 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, w5 class, tram 1018, tram 731, malvern depot
The photograph shows a cable tram set with trailer No. 534 east bound in Bourke St on its way to Nicholson St passing the Eastern Market. The conductor standing at the back of the grip is in MMTB uniform with his ticket wallet and bag visible. The grip man appears to be ringing his bell. There is an side advertisement for the "All Australian Exhibition". A reference to the exhibition is in The Argue 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, eastern market, conductors, cash bag
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 store - see reference for history details. 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
The photograph shows a cable tram set, trailer No. 129, in Elizabeth St at Bourke St. Alf Twentyman has written on the rear "Brunswick car 129 in Elizabeth St, North Melb car approaching, Sometimes 1890s.", with the Post Office alongside. Two heavy horse-drawn drays are also in the view.
Yields information about cable trams in Elizabeth St c1890s.
Photograph, black and white, with notes on rear.
in pencil on the rear - very faded - "Brunswick car 129 in Elizabeth St, North Melb car approaching, Sometimes 1890s."
trams, tramways, cable tram, tram 129, elizabeth st, bourke st, alf twentyman
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 Royal Parade in the 1920s
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, early 1930s.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, cable trams, abbotsford st, north melbourne
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.
