Historical information

Photograph shows the laying of a new northern exit/entry road for Essendon Depot. Grooved tramway rail and turnouts are in place supported by timber sleepers. Part of the footpath and a section roadway on Mt Alexander Road are excavated for these works. Three workmen in civilian clothes are tightening tie bars; W2 class tram 552 has cleared the new works bound for Essendon Aerodrome route 59 with weather blinds down; three motor vehicles are shown in the distance, two with the distinctive shape of a Holden. The high fence and tennis court opposite the depot are part of a Catholic convent and teachers college.

Records suggest the date is September 1960 when the single northern exit/entry track to the southbound line was replaced with this double track. Until this time, a separate crossover provided a connection to the northbound line. This new arrangement meant that trams running out or in from the northbound track no longer had to negotiate a crossover, thus reducing motor traffic congestion. The obsolete crossover was removed.

It is likely that in the following days mass concrete was used to rebuild the roadway. As tramway rail with a flangeway was no longer produced in Australia from the 1960s, railway-type rail without a flangeway was used instead and the flangeway provided by a groove in the concrete. This photograph is likely an official M&MTB photograph.

Significance

Yields information about Essendon Depot and track improvements c1960

Physical description

Black and white photographs with no note on rear.