Historical information

Photograph shows the side of W6 class car 979 in Plenty Road approaching the Bell Street intersection with sliding doors open and carrying passengers. This car entered service in 1955 but has minor panel damage on its front left side below the saloon windows. In front of the tram is a crossover/shunt and several motor vehicles waiting in traffic and parked at the kerb next to shops. Among the parked vehicles are passengers waiting for the tram.

The Bell Street intersection is controlled by Marshalite ‘clock-face’ traffic signals that were designed and built in Melbourne from the 1930s and used at many intersections until the late 1960s. Beyond the intersection on the left but out of sight is the new East Preston Tram Depot opened in 1955 when this electric line in Plenty Road was extended to the city via High Street, Smith Street and Bourke Street. This photograph is an official M&MTB photograph.

Significance

Yields information about tram and vehicle traffic in Plenty Road Preston in 1956.

Physical description

Black and white photographs with typed note attached below and pencil note and stamp on rear.

Inscriptions & markings

Typed note attached to front reads: "Plenty Road, East Preston at Bell Street shunt, 1315 Hours, 21-12-1956"
Hand written note on rear in pencil reads: "Plenty Road, East Preston at Bell Street shunt. Lookimng north. Vehicles parked at shunt. 1315 Hours, 21-12-1956"
Stamp reads: "Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board P25/1/112"