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.
"The Melbourne Tramways - A Pictorial History"
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Melbourne Tram Museum
Poster - titled "The Melbourne Tramways - A Pictorial History" providing a detail map, showing the opening, closing, dates and notes of Melbourne's horse, cable, electric tramways and railways. Printed on a plain background.
Has notes on closures, track layouts, accuracy and acknowledgements.
Prepared by Stephen Watson 1993.
See Reg Item 506 for later editions.
Has a $15 price label on rear.
The photograph shows a cable tram in Bourke St, crossing over the electric tram track in William St. The Menzies Hotel (see reference) is in the background, along with the BHP Head office on the opposite corner. Based on the round "tree" type structure on the NW corner, the photo is c1937, Victorian Centenary decorations.
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
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 Bourke St car - Spencer St turning from Spring St into Bourke St 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
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
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 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
The photograph shows cable, trailer 41 climbing the hill from Punt Road to Richmond. A second cable set can be seen in the distance, inbound to Spencer St. In the background are a shoe store, Miss E Temby Milliner, a Baker, Webber Mercer, Love & ?? stores. Photo possibly 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
The photograph shows cable, trailer 383 in Bridge Rd Richmond inbound to the City about to cross the Church St cable tramline. G. Sterling & Sons building in the background. The building remains and in 2024 is a Commonwealth Bank. Possibly 1910s.
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
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 the view along Swanston St from Bourke St.
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, late 1930s.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, cable trams, abbotsford st, north melbourne
Photo of a cable tram set, trailer 389 at the Bourke St terminus shortly after its arrival. Passengers are waiting in the Safety Zone, for the shunting to be completed before returning to Nicholson St. in the background are the Bourke St West Police station, Hudson's Stores, the MTO Co. Head office building and Carlyons Hotel. Under the awning of the MTOC Head office building is Buchanan;s Cafe. Photo late 1930s
Yields information about the Bourke St cable tram terminus, late 1930s
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, south melbourne, tram 306, cable trams, park st
Photo of a cable tram set, trailer 306, in Park St South Melbourne with the St Vincent Gardens in the background. The photo is taken after the construction of the Collins St electric line in 1929 as the destination board notes the tram is connecting with Collins St electric trams. The gripman is waiting for the phtograph to be taken, with the Conductor on the platform of the trailer car. In the background are the Gardens and housing of this area. Photo c1930. The South Melbourne cable tram line closed for conversion in 1937.
Yields information about the South Melbourne cable tram line and Park St.
Black and white print with a plain back
trams, tramways, south melbourne, tram 306, cable trams, park st
Photo of a cable tram set that has arrived at the Northcote line terminus in High St, prior to shunting. Another two cable sets are in the background. The gripman and conductor can be seen to be preparing to shunt the tram. The photo caption says the trailer is No. 235. A Bundy clock can been seen on the pavement on the left side of the photograph. A hairdresser and tobacconist shop are in the view. Photographer and date unknown.
Yields information about Northcote cable tram terminus in High St at Dundas St.
Black and white print with a hand written note on rear.
In pencil "Car 235 at Dundas St"
trams, tramways, northcote, high st, cable trams, tram 235, bundy clock
Photo of VR tram No. 29 (St Kilda Rly Stn) standing outside the Elwood Depot, waiting for the crew before returning to St Kilda Station. A conductor can been seen walking back to the offices. Photo by Les G Poole, mid 1950s.
Yields information about VR trams and Elwood depot.
Black and white print with source stamp on rear
Has stamp of the ARHS Vic Div L G Poole Collection on rear.
trams, tramways, vr trams, elwood tram depot, tram 29, crews
Photograph of 6 men, with gripman William Baker Strong, seated on the table, playing draughts. Based on item 7627, most likely at the Prahran Car House or Depot Mess Room. Two conductors are wearing their trip slip safety pins. One of the men is wearing a large cape and could be either a gripman or a signalman. All the crew members are wearing the uniform of Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co (MTOCo).
Yields information about the tram crews at the Prahran car house in 1914 and W B Strong.
Print of a copy of a black and white photograph on AGFA paper.
"William B Strong playing draughts, seated on table at M&MTB" in ink on lower edge of print.
cable trams, prahran, prahran car house, group photos, mtoco, crews, tram crews, grip men, conductors
Photograph of 18 men at the Prahran cable tram car house or Depot, corner of Carlisle St and Chapel St with a cable tram set behind. Group consists of a number of conductors, gripmen and staff members. Photo dated to be 1914 with gripman William Baker Strong identified in the photo.
Yields information about the tram crews at the Prahran car house in 1914 and W B Strong.
Print of a copy of a black and white photograph on AGFA paper.
"W B Strong six from left rear 1914" in ink on lower edge of print.
cable trams, prahran, prahran car house, group photos, mtoco, crews, tram crews, grip men, conductors
Document prepared for Yarra Trams staff to provide an operations plan for the reconstruction of Port Junction, route 96, Feb. 2009. Has a table of contents.
Demonstrates a Yarra Trams operations plan.
Document - 35 pages, full colour stapled in top left hand corner.
tramways, route 96, port junction, trackwork
Route guides for route 55 (West Coburg - Domain Road), route 47 (West Maribyrnong) and route 86 (Bundoora - Central Pier) which has a note about the Flinders St overpass removal in 2005. See item 1253 for details and associated route guides. Has the logos of Yarra Trams, Metlink and Metcard.
Demonstrates Metlink / Yarra trams route guides.
Set of 3 DL pamphlets - full colour
tramways, timetables, maps, route 57, route 55, route 86
Information document titled "Temporary Service changes" from https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information/article/routes-1-3-5-6-16-64-67-72-temporary-service-changes-from-first-tram-monday-26-august-to-to-last-tram-sunday-15-september-2024 Shows the proposed tram arrangements and alternatives. See item 7300 for the Yarra Trams consultative document.
Yields information about the trackwork reconstruction project at Swanston and Victoria Streets.
Digital Image of a two-page A4 information document downloaded 28/8/2024.
proposed works, swanston st, franklin st, victoria st, elizabeth st, trackworks, consultation
Digital document from Public Transport Victoria (PTV) about the installation of platform stops in La Trobe St including the removal of existing stops. Has a map and images of the works that were undertaken during July and August 2024.
Demonstrates a PTV information document regarding the installation of Platform stops in La Trobe St.
Digital document - 5 pages
tramways, platform stops, consultation, la trobe st, tram tracks
Digital document from Engage Victoria looking at options and feedback for possible changes to the Route 86 route in Fitzroy and Northcote areas for the introduction of low platform stops in Gertrude, High and Smith Sts. Includes a map for proposed stops and existing stops. The document notes that funding for stop upgrades is part of a future budget process.
Demonstrates a Consultative document by Engage Vic. April 2024.
Digital document - 10 pages
tramways, platform stops, consultation, route 86, fitzroy, northcote, smith st, gertrude st, high st
Digital document from Engage Victoria looking at options and feedback for possible changes to the Route 82 route in Maribyrnong and Footscray areas for the introduction of low platform stops in Gorden St and Droop St. Includes a map for proposed stops and existing stops. The document notes that funding for stop upgrades is part of a future budget process.
Demonstrates a Consultative document by Engage Vic. August 2024.
Digital document - 11 pages
tramways, platform stops, footscray, maribyrnong, route 82, consultation
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.
