Provenance

Various Parties

Purpose/Function

Reference, Research, Information

Arrangement

Arranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)

Content

Trams have played an important role in Kew’s history, not only as a mechanism of transport but also as a cultural and architectural centrepiece. The first tram service in Kew began in 1886, with the route starting at Victoria Bridge towards the city. It would then be further extended by a horse-pulled tram to the Kew Cemetery, which would last until 1914. In 1915 the Kew Tram depot was being built, and by 1916 it was completed and would oversee the newly electrified routes that would travel further up High Street and past the cemetery as time went on. This was the origins of the 48 route, which was extended to its current length in 1938 after being re-routed over Hawthorn Bridge. The Kew Depot would see many different tram routes roll through and would serve for many going out to the Eastern suburbs. In 1993, after the closure of other depots and routes, Kew would be primarily served by the routes 48 and 109. The file includes: Copies of original route maps for services running through Kew, a history of the different classes of trams that have run in Melbourne, tickets from varying eras, photos of the old tram lines, newspaper and magazine articles regarding the trams as well as their histories, letters regarding the preservation of the tram shelter at the intersection of Cotham and Burke Roads, a copy of the Rail News Victoria (1991), multiple articles celebrating the centenary of cable trams in Melbourne, multiple booklets from the local council looking for improvements to the 109 route, a small map of the route 109 and places surrounding the line, and a brief timeline history of trams in Kew.