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Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Black and white photograph of a cable tram set in Lonsdale St at William St with the Supreme Court or Melbourne Court houses in the background. The electric tram has been built in William St.
late 1925 and 1931
In ink on rear.
"Lonsdale & William St / West Melbourne cable tram taken by Miss H Fergus between late 1925 and 1931. Harry Williams Family Collection"
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 F 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
Pamphlet details the introduction of the X1 class safety trams to the Williamstown Road route from 9/6/2024. Gives information on the tram, fares, fare boxes, pay as you enter (PAYE), or pay as you leave, and provides hints for passenger behaviour. See also item 7470 for a pamphlet on the tram itself. See 7518 for the pamphlet on the introduction to the Russell St route. Notes the discontinuation of the through service to Russell St,.
Yields information about the attributes of the X1 class tram at the time of their introduction in 1926 to Williamstown Road
Pamphlet - one sheet folded printed on off white paper.
tramways, trams, mmtb, x1 class, fare box, footscray, russell st, williamstown road
Pamphlet details the introduction of the X1 class safety trams to the Russell St Footscray route from 13/9/1926. Gives information on the tram, fares, fare boxes, pay as you enter (PAYE), or pay as you leave, and provides hints for passenger behaviour. See also item 7470 for a pamphlet on the tram itself. See 7520 for the pamphlet on the introduction to Williamstown Road route.
Yields information about the attributes of the X1 class tram at the time of their introduction in 1926 to Russell St.
Pamphlet - one sheet folded printed on light brown paper. Two copies held.
tramways, trams, mmtb, x1 class, fare box, footscray, russell st
Provides the Rules and Regulations for the St Kilda - Brighton Electric Street Railway, dated June 1907. The railway opened on 5/5/1906 and to Brighton on 22/12/1906. the latter largely as a single track. Has the name F E Bradford on the front cover. Gives rules for crossing cable tram lines, those for drivers, speeds, conductors, accidents, bell signals, signals on overhead line, regulations for working by staff and ticket, pilot working, rules for workers on the permanent way, and additional rules such as collecting money from passengers for breaking windows.
Yields information about the "Rules and Regulations" - St Kilda Brighton - Electric Street Railway
Book - cloth cover red covers, 20 pages, centre stapled.
Has initials "PwR" and "Secretary" in ink on the first page.
trams, tramways, cable trams, trackwork, yokes
Drawing No. 939 signed and dated by the Chief Engineer, Mr. Strickland on 31-5-1922, Drawing "Built up Yoke", for contract No. 158 shows a cable tram Yoke possibly to be used in the link between Swanston St and Lonsdale St (west) or repairs. Signed by James Henderson Engineer for Permanent Way. The yoke could be used to support a cable pulley.
Demonstrates a drawing made for cable tram track parts during the early 1920s.
Drawing - blue print - No. 939
trams, tramways, cable trams, trackwork, yokes
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
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.
