Historical information

The photograph shows part of the track laying process in Swanston Street between Collins Street. and Flinders Lane with pedestrians, onlookers and motor cars. Wire mesh is being laid on the road base with some wooden sleepers and rails in place. A large steam powered roller is partially shown at left carrying the name of a popular construction company, The Foundation Coy. Ltd., that was contracted for many of the cable-to-electric tram conversions in the 1920s. Note that the rails being positioned are railway rails that required a check plate to be bolted to each rail to create a flangeway in the road surface. These plates can be seen stacked at the right of the track bed with pre-drilled holes. Work commenced on the conversion of the cable tram track in Swanston Street in December 1925 and proceed in a northerly direction towards Lonsdale Street.

Significance

Yields information about the cable tram conversions in 1925-26 in Swanston Street.

Physical description

Sepia toned photograph with note on rear.

Inscriptions & markings

Written in ink on rear of photograph is "Red Frame 10 of 10"