Melbourne Trams

[Claude_Dreyfus]

A few weeks ago, I spent a rather enjoyable couple of days playing with the trams in Melbourne. They have an excellent free service (route 35, City Circular) which runs a circuit past most of Melbourne's main sights. It is also popular with the locals, meaning the old single car trams get really busy.

 

They use old W series trams from the 1950s, in a variety of liveries. The City Circle trams are mainly in an attractive dark red and cream livery, although there are a couple on an equally appealing red and cream livery. Not so sure about the artistic pink livery however.

 

 

Not all of the old trams were restricted to the 35. These two were on 'normal' services...according to our coach driver.

 

 

Also doing the rounds were the 'restaurant' trams - a silver service dinner from the comfort of an old tram. Hopefully the ride was a little smoother than the trams used on the City Circle, not sure the diners want soup in their laps as the tram clatters across Collins Street!

 

[sandwich station]

Telstra Dome Claude. Did it really still have that on it?

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Well, that is what the board said, and the tram deviated from the City Circle route near to the Parliament building. Apparently the green trams, whilst used on the City Circle, don't have the commentary fitted.

[sandwich station]

Well, that is what the board said,

I only asked as the Telstra Dome changed it's name to Etihad Stadium in March 2009.

[kevinlms]

I only asked as the Telstra Dome changed it's name to Etihad Stadium in March 2009.

That's the trouble with a public building being sponsored & changing its name every 5 minutes. Better for such items (roller blinds) to have the generic title of Docklands Stadium. Not so bad I suppose, on modern programmable digital displays.

 

Edited to change wrong word.

[Stanley Melrose]

I was in Melbourne last week for Christmas and also enjoyed the trams.  Right now I'm sitting on the 15th floor of an apartment overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge and waiting for the first fireworks in one hour from now.

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

Stan

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Ah

 

I only asked as the Telstra Dome changed it's name to Etihad Stadium in March 2009.

Ah, I get your meaning now... Maybe the kept the old name in case the sponsor changes again.

[glennofootscray]

The W class were withdrawn from revenue service (#30, Docklands to St. Vincent's Plaza) just prior to Christmas. So for the first time since their introduction the only W's in service are the City Circle #35 and the three restaurant trams.

 

925 is the all over advertising tram that is I believe is held together by the stickers on the out side, it changes livery every few months.

 

Glenn

[ajaxjones]

'restaurant' trams +1 was very good, and dropped you off at a really nice bar after as i remember

[ber158]

The W class were withdrawn from revenue service (#30, Docklands to St. Vincent's Plaza) just prior to Christmas. So for the first time since their introduction the only W's in service are the City Circle #35 and the three restaurant trams.

925 is the all over advertising tram that is I believe is held together by the stickers on the out side, it changes livery every few months.

Glenn

Do they still operate the Chapel Street service during the day? If not, a real shame. Sad that the W class withdrawl has been able to happen, almost by stealth.

 

At least they still run, I suppose.

 

I do miss seeing them on St Kilda Road and Collins Street like I did as a kid 20 years ago!

[glennofootscray]

The Chapel/Church St service #78/79 was made W Class free in late July, with their stock of serviceable cars transferred from Glenhuntly to Southbank for the #30.

 

 As more new E class trams were introduced, the 'cascade program' went as follows, An E class went to Southbank for the #96, which in turn allowed a D2 class to be sent to Brunswick for the #19, which in turn allowed a B2 class to go to either Preston for the #86/11 to free up an A class for the #30 at Southbank that mothballed a W class, or The B2 went to Essendon for the #55/59, that sent a Z3 to Glenhuntly to offload a W class or ancient Z1/2 class.

 

So this is how by stealth W class trams were 'quietly withdrawn' for revenue service.

 

Glenn.

[Wolseley]

I just spotted this thread and thought I would add a photo of my own.  I have got some more somewhere or other.

 

[Gwiwer]

I have managed to miss this until now.  As a Melbourne resident, former tramway employee and general enthusiast it's always good to see our trams portrayed around the world.  The current state of play is this:

 

W-class (generic term as they are much-altered from their original W6 or W7 condition) in use only on City Circle route 35 with 12 cars for 10 duties.  One at a time is away at Bendigo for rebuild to W8 status and their age means more than one os often unavailable for service.  This creates gaps in the City Circle which has reduced from every 10 to every 12 minutes since its route was extended to the Docklands area in order to use only the same number of cars.  W8 is a complete rebuild with modern traction package but retaining the traditional appearance.  Numerous withdrawn cars still dumped at several locations though steadily being removed and sold or placed in the large storage shed at Newport.  Original Restaurant conversion W2-class 442 and the first pair of W6 restaurants (937, 939) which were Restaurant 01 - 03 are also withdrawn and replaced by three further W6 cars numbered Restaurant 04 - 06.  The last W5 in traffic, 728, was withdrawn some 18 months ago and is under restoration from City Circle maroon to MMTB green / cream for preservation, not for continued use.

 

Z1 and Z2 class trams : all withdrawn as of last year.  These had the distinctive motor whine and an off-centre doorway amidships (side windows 2 and 4 either side) with no rear door.

Z3 class : mostly still in service and found on routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 55, 57, 64, 67, 72, 78, 82 mostly mixed with other types.  Centre door is amidships (windows 3 and 3 either side) and a narrow rear door.  Very narrow nose end.

A1 and A2 classes : in service on routes 3, 30, 48, 64, 67, 70, 75 and 78.

B1 class : 2001 has had its "Farewell Tour" but continues in occasional service on route 86.  If it suffers a major breakdown that will be that.  2002 is withdrawn.  Melbourne's first articulated twin-car trams.

B2 class : almost all remain in service, one accident victim is being used for spares.  Twin-car units found on routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 19, 55, 59, 64, 67, 70, 75, 86 and (occasionally still) 96.

C1 class : Citadis three-module trams bought for Route 109 upgrade and all still in service despite several nasty smashes.  Found on route 109 and also route 48 at times

C2 class : Citadis five-module trams originally leased and then bought from Mulhouse.  Known as "Bumblebees" in their original livery but now gaining green / white fleet livery.  Confined to route 96 due to length and special driver training.

D1 class : Combino three-module trams all in traffic on routes 1, 5, 6, 8, 16 and 72

D2 class : Combino five-module trams all in traffic mostly on route 19 but occasionally seen on routes 1 and 8.

E class : Melbourne;s newest and largest-ever trams.  Three-car units of which around 45 are currently in service of the 100 ordered.  Option exists for another 50.  On routes 11 and 96 plus phased takeover of route 86 from this month.

 

Melbourne currently has just under 500 trams available for daily service on the above routes which radiate up to 20 kms from the city and with a couple of cross-suburban routes (78, 82) also.  It is now regarded as the largest network in the world and runs from eight depots at Southbank, Essendon, Brunswick, Preston, Malvern, Glenhuntly, Camberwell and Kew.  Preston is on the site of the old Preston Workshops (part of which remains active) having replaced East Preston depot on Plenty Road last year.  

 

Long-standing traditions maintained include the Christmas Tram (one or two of the City Circle fleet vinyl-covered in a suitable theme and conveying either Santa or his elves dispensing goodies during December) and Art Trams (which were painted but again now wear vinyl wraps of commissioned artwork in varying styles and which appear on one or two of each major class to cover the network).  Art trams are distinct from the large number of allover advert trams in that the former do not promote a product and purely convey artwork as their livery.

 

Most of Melbourne's network is shared street running though with increasing separation in recent times to assist the free passage of trams.  It is unlawful to obstruct them in any way.  Short sections of non-street route exist between Clarendon Street Junction to both St. Kilda Station (route 96) and Port Melbourne (route 109) where trams replaced "heavy" rail suburban trains.  Another decent off-road section exists on route 55 between North Melbourne and Brunswick Road where it passes through Royal Park

 

B2 Tram 2100 is unique in having never carried any fleet livery.  Delivered in a special brown scheme to celebrate its arrival as the 100th light rail vehicle.  It should have been 2102 but the pair swapped identities at birth and have never reverted.  Since then 2100 has always been an advertising tram.  Most advert trams are regulars with promotions changing quite frequently but all the others have at some time or another worn a fleet livery.

 

Visitors may attempt to travel the entire network in a day though it will require determination!  A daily anytime fare covering all trams, suburban buses and trains is just $7.80 (plus $6 Myki card issue fee) which is pretty good value; that's £4.80 at today's cross rates and covers an area similar to London's six main Oyster card zones which costs £11.80.

[tetsudofan]

Back in 2005/2006 or thereabouts I spent a few days in Melbourne and managed to spend some time riding the trams and had a great time. Have recently found some pictures taken at the time:

 

 

 

 

 

Keith

[SRman]

Some great photos there, Keith. All of those liveries are now consigned to history. Without checking any lists of numbers, all of the trams themselves are probably still in service, with the types depicted being B2 articulated trams and Z3 single units.

[Gwiwer]

Some great photos there, Keith. All of those liveries are now consigned to history. Without checking any lists of numbers, all of the trams themselves are probably still in service, with the types depicted being B2 articulated trams and Z3 single units.

 

All of those are still in service.  Currently the fleet is in a very mixed bag of four iterations of Yarra Trams liveries (grey or white base, gum leaf or other styled relief in blue / green) and the most recent PTV (Public Transport Victoria) "standard" livery of white with a prismatic green style on the ends.  

 

Moonee Ponds junction where those photos were taken has also been redeveloped and now features platforms for future level boarding, currently eliminating the step up from street to tram.  The Z3 showing "83" is on a depot working.  82 is the Moonee Ponds - Footscray suburban route; when extending to Essendon Depot it showed 83 at that time but depot runs are now the normal route number suffixed "d" so 82d would be today's version.