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.
Geelong Tramways Brush Truck
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 Ballarat Tramway Museum
Looking in the opposite direction to Item No. 9236, 1 Road at the rear of the depot. March 1912
Black and white print on paper.
12/4 and GRS170/12/1/4 written on reverse in pencil. No. 2 in a circle written on reverse in ink.
Tram line up at the depot with the same personnel (Item 9234) in formal poses in each photo., They are attired in the MESCo uniform that suggests that the photographs were taken before the State Electricity Commission of Victoria takeover on 1 September, 1930. The ex-Melbourne Meadowbank cars 27 and 29 first ran in Geelong in 1928. Date of the photos would therefore be restricted to 1928-1930 but it is possible that they were taken close to or on the handover date as a final record. See Item 9234.
Black and white print on paper.
12-11 and No. 1 written on the reverse in ink. GRS710/12/1/11 written on the reverse in pencil.
geelong tram depot, geelong tramways tramcars and personnel, mesco tramway uniform
Tram line up at the depot with the same personnel (Item 9235), in formal poses in each photo. They are attired in the MESCo uniform that suggests that the photographs were taken before the State Electricity Commission of Victoria takeover on 1 September 1930. The ex-Melbourne Meadowbank cars 27 and 28 first ran in Geelong in 1928. Date of the photos would therefore be restricted to 1928-30, but it is possible that they were taken close to or on the handover date as a final record. See associated item 9235.
Black and white print on paper
12-10 and No. 1 written on the back in ink. GRS710/12/1/10 written on the back in pencil.
geelong tram depot, geelong tramways tramcars, geelong tramways personnel, state electricity commission of victoria
Geelong Tramcar No. 23 lit up for the coronation of King George VI, May 1937. Globes forming the letters "GR" adorn the side of the saloon and many Union Jack flags decorate the car.
Black and white print on paper
12-9 and No. 4 written on the reverse in ink. GRS170/12/1/9 written on the reverse in pencil.
tramcar no. 23, coronation of king george vi, decorated tram
Stages in the construction of one of the two Birney Safety Cars, imported from the J G Brill Company of Philadelphia in kit form in 1924, and assembled in the area formerly occupied by the buses. In the background of Item 9237 is the trailer purchased from the North Melbourne Electric Tramway Company in 1924. Its number in the order in which Geelong cars were acquired was 13 (the Birneys were nos. 14 and 15) and it was eventually converted to a track scrubber car in 1926. It never carried the number 13 but was advertised for sale as such at the closure of the tramways in 1956. See associated Items 9231 and 9232.
Black and white print on paper
13-1 and GRS710/13/1/1 written on the reverse in pencil. No. 2 in a circle written on the reverse in pen.
birney safety car construction, j g brill and co of philadelphia, north melbourne electric tramway company, geelong tramway birney safety car, geelong tramway track scrubber car
Stages in the construction of one of the two Birney Safety Cars, imported from the J G Brill Company of Philadelphia in kit form in 1924, and assembled in the area formerly occupied by the buses. In the background of Item 9237 is the trailer purchased from the North Melbourne Electric Tramway Company in 1924. Its number in the order in which Geelong cars were acquired was 13 (the Birneys were nos. 14 and 15) and it was eventually converted to a track scrubber car in 1926. It never carried the number 13 but was advertised for sale as such at the closure of the tramways in 1956. See Items 9231 and 9237.
Black and White print on paper.
12-8 and GRS710/12/1/8 written on the reverse in pencil. No. 2 written on the reverse in ink.
birney safety car construction, birney safety cars, j g brill company of philadelphia
Stages in the construction of one of the two Birney Safety Cars, imported from the J G Brill Company of Philadelphia in kit form in 1924, and assembled in the area formerly occupied by the buses. In the background of Item 9237 is the trailer purchased from the North Melbourne Electric Tramway Company in 1924. Its number in the order in which Geelong cars were acquired was 13 (the Birneys were nos. 14 and 15) and it was eventually converted to a track scrubber car in 1926. It never carried the number 13 but was advertised for sale as such at the closure of the tramways in 1956. See Items 9232 and 9237.
Black and white print on paper
12-7 and GRS710/12/1/7 written on the back in pencil. No., 2 in a circle written on the back in ink.
birney safety cars, j g brill company of philadelphia, track scrubber car, birney safety car construction
Geelong Tramcar No. 18, freshly painted, in Corio Tce. with Strachan & Co's wool store in the background. The car has been converted for one man operation but retains the MESCo's double lineouts that were replaced by single yellow lines in the 1940s. It is likely that the photographs were taken to display the conversion in 1939. See also Item 9242.
Black and white print on paper
12-6 and GRS170/12/1/6 printed on reverse in pencil. No. 1 in a circle printed on the reverse in pen.
geelong tramcar, geelong tramcar no. 18, strachan and co. wool store, geelong, tramcar one-man operator conversion
Saloon underframe of one of the Duncan & Fraser tramcars being assembled at the depot in Geelong c. 1911.,
Black and white print on paper.
12/3 and GRS710/12/1/3 written on the reverse in pencil. No. 2 written on the reverse in ink.
tramcar saloon underframe, duncan & fraser tramcar, tramcar assembly, geelong tramcar
Possibly a Motorman in winter coat (as there are no lapel badges). SEC type numbers are on the latter two hats. The Conductor badges on coat lapels and 5 button coats must have been retained by the SEC for a while. The date of these photos would be c., 1930.
Black and white print on paper.
11/14 and No. 3 in a circle written in pen on the reverse. GRS710/11/1/14 written in pencil on the reverse.
mesco motorman uniform, mesco winter uniform coat, mesco conductor badge
ESCo Sebastopol type No. 21 in Sturt St arriving the Grenville St city terminus. Has a "Suttons for Organs" roof advertisement. Same image as items 178 and 5143.
Yields information the appearance of the Sebastopol type tram when they were in service, c1920 and the north side of Sturt St streetscape.
Glass plate negative, in a black envelope.
trams, tramways, sebastopol type, grenville st, sturt st, esco, suttons, tram 21
Glass plate negative of Bendigo Tramways Co. Ltd steam tram motor (No. 2) and trailer No. 6, Trailer No. 6 has a roof advertising board "Drapery half price Beehive Sale". Shows in detail the presentation of the trams, painting scheme, bogie arrangements. Photo in Mollison St. See items 987, 1439 and 4369 for other reproductions of this photograph.
Yields information about Bendigo steam tram and their trailers.
Glass plate negative in a brown paper envelope.
The envelope has Wal Jack stamps T168 and T169 and a written note "Bendigo Steam Trams"
trams, tramways, bendigo, mollison st, steam trams, trailers, tram 2, tram 6
Photograph of No. 26 the Eaglehawk terminus, 8-4-1950, photo by Keith Kings. Has the Eaglehawk Town Hall in the background. Same as item 5783.
Yields information about tram 26 and the Eaglehawk Destination.
Glass plate negative.
trams, tramways, bendigo, bogie trams, tram 26
Set of two colour prints of Ballarat tram 30 in a park at Kaniva. The tram was recovered by BTPS workers 6/7 July 1974. See Oct. 1974 issue of Trolley Wire) and Feb. 2014 issue of Fares Please! for the trams story. Photographer most likely Bob Lilburn.
Yields information about SECV tram 30 at Kaniva.
Set of two Colour prints - with photographers notes on the rear.
In ink "4-12-73 No. 30" and "To Kaniva 10-2-72, BTPS 7-7-74"
tramcars, tramways, tram 30, kaniva
Colour print of Ballarat tram 12 stored in a Hayshed at Telegraph Hill, near Ararat. The tram was transferred to NSW Steam Tram Engine Preservation Society who in turn passed it to the Sydney Tramway Museum - see Oct. 1974 issue of Trolley Wire for the background and the transport to Sydney during September 1974. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about the storage of SECV Ballarat No. 12 in a Hayshed before its transport to Sydney.
Colour print - on plain paper with rounded corners.
tramcars, tramways, offsite store, telegraph hill, tram 12, sper, stm
Colour print of Ballarat tram 30 after its recovery from Kaniva on 6/7 July 1974 (see Oct. 1974 issue of Trolley Wire). It was stored at the City of Ballarat Council depot for a while before being moved to the Haddon Tramway Workshops which at that time was under construction. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about the recovery of SECV tram 30 from Kaniva and its storage at Haddon.
Colour print - on plain paper with rounded corners.
tramcars, tramways, offsite store, haddon, tram 30
Colour print of Ballarat tram 39 after recovery from Lismore by the BTPS before being rolled into undercover storage at a property at the eastern end of Victoria St Ballarat East, possibly soon after arrival on 9 May 1976. See item 1649 for an appeal for storage space. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about the recovery of SECV tram 39 from Lismore and its offsite storage.
Colour print - on plain paper with rounded corners.
tramcars, tramways, btps, tram 39, offsite store, victoria st., lismore
Colour prints of the BTPS Sebastopol store following the arrival of W3 class 661 and W4 class 671, about June 1975. Possibly taken on the day of arrival. The No. 9 truck purchased at the same time can be seen in front of No. 661. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about BTPS trams stored at Sebastopol June 1975.
Set of two Colour prints on plain paper.
tramcars, tramways, ballarat, btps, sebastopol, offsite store, tram 671, tram 661
Colour print of the BTPS Sebastopol store late 1978 with trams 11 (part outside), 671, 661 and 33. Tram 33 was taken to the depot on 11/12/1978 when 14 was taken to Melbourne for the 1979 Australia Day Pagent. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about BTPS trams stored at Sebastopol late 1978.
Colour print on plain paper.
tramcars, tramways, ballarat, btps, sebastopol, offsite store, tram 11, tram 671, tram 661, tram 14
Black and white print of BTPS 14 stored at the Sebastopol offsite site store following its return from Melbourne in Feb. 1979 Australia Day Parade. Alongside is tram 661. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about tram 14 stored at the Sebastopol offsite store during June 1979
Black and white print on Kodak paper dated June 1979
tramcars, tramways, ballarat, tram 14, btps, sebastopol, offsite store
Colour print of Bendigo 2 (Eaglehawk) and a Birney (Golden Square) at Charing Cross during the mid to late 1950s. Has the Beehive buildings with Mobilgas roof advert in the background. Not known who took the photograph or date.
Yields information about Charing Cross and tram 2 during the mid to late 1950s.
Colour print - on plain paper
tramcars, tramways, bendigo, tram 2, charing cross
Colour print of W3 class tram 661 in Wendouree Parade possibly on its first day of operation, 11-10-1980 for the BTPS. Tram 671 is in the shadows. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about BTPS W3 671 in Wendouree Parade on its first day of operation.
Colour print - on plain paper
tramcars, btps, wendouree parade, w3 class, tram 661
Colour print of W4 class tram 671 in Wendouree Parade possibly on its first day of operation, 11-10-1980 for the BTPS. Photographer unknown.
Yields information about BTPS W4 671 in Wendouree Parade on its first day of operation.
Colour print - on plain paper
tramcars, btps, tram 671, w4 class, wendouree parade
Colour print of W3 class tram No. 661 at the intersection of Victoria St and Brunswick St, being transported from Malvern Depot to Preston Workshops. This tram was acquired by the Museum in 1976 - see reference. Has the Salvation Army Training building in the background. Photographer unknown, date early 1976.
Yields information about transporting W3 class tram 661 to Preston Workshops for on-sale to the BTPS.
Colour print - on plain paper
tramcars, tram 661, victoria parade, btps, w3 class
Set of two colour prints of ex Adelaide Birney No. 302 (former Bendigo tram 29) in Melbourne for the 1982 Australia Day Transport Pagent. The first photo is at Swanston and Flinders St with Young and Jackson Hotel in the background and the second at Flinders and Market Streets with a Hitachi Silver train on the railway viaduct. Not known who took the photographs. See Feb. 1982 issue of Electric Traction for a note regarding this tram in Melbourne for the Pagent.
Yields information about Bendigo No. 29 as Adelaide 302 in Melbourne
Set of two Colour prints - on plain paper
tramcars, tram 29, bendigo, birney tramcars, flinders st, swanston st, pageant
Colour print of Bendigo Birney No. 29 leaving the depot in now Tramways Ave on its way to Golden Square . The tram has large reflectorised triangles on its dash panel. Photographer and date not known.
Yields information about Bendigo No. 29 and the depot lead.
Colour prints - on plain paper
tramcars, tram 29, bendigo, birney tramcars, bendigo depot
Colour print of Bendigo No. 6 in Bridge St on its way to North Bendigo, April 1967. Photo by Noel Simons. See also item 1191 for a colour slide.
Yields information about the Bridge St loop and tram No. 6.
Colour print - on plain paper.
tramcars, tram 6, north bendigo, bridge st
Set of 3 colour prints of tram 35, after it had been obtained from Ballarat College by the BTPS at the Bungaree site 5-6-1978, Some photos show the body of ex MMTB No. 121 alongside. The body was in poor condition and later dismantled.
Yields information about the status of tram 35 in 1978.
Set of 3 colour prints - two on Kodak paper.
tramcars, tram 35, bungaree
Photograph shows Geelong power station after completion. Power house building on the SW corner of Corio Tce. and Yarra Sts, Geelong, with new furnace room on the left, turret removed from the corner of the building, a third floor added on the Corio Tce. side but offices and concreted company name above where the trams entered the depot from the street not yet built. Date between 1924 and 1928 (based on photograph of Pengelly tramcar arriving and recently received, secondhand Melbourne tramcar). The ground floor offices facing Corio Tce. appear to be boarded up.
Yields information about the Geelong Power station c1926
Black and white print on paper.
Plate number 1-8 in ink on back of photo.
tramways, geelong, mesco, power station
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.
