MELBOURNE TRAM CENTENNIAL

News from our outspoken PMP source in Australia!

Dear Dave Spencer,

Now I am back in Canberra - even if only for a few days! - I thought I would send you some information regarding the Electric Tram Centennial in Melbourne.

There has always been some discussion regarding the actual inaugural date of electric trams in that city. Firstly, there was the Doncaster - Box Hill put down in 1888 but which was dismantled after going broke in the 1890s Depression.

Secondly, the Victorian Railways began their 5' 3" gauge services from St Kilda to Brighton in May 1906. The last section of this line was closed in 1959. But the 3 "modern" cars built in the early 1940s were purchased at closure by the M & MTB. Numbered 52, 53 and 54 they somewhat resembled the W6 Class trams on the main system. To non enthusiasts the main difference was their having only two piece windscreens rather than the usual three piece. Although not a worry to the the VR drivers, the window break right in front of the controls was not well liked by the M & MTB motormen.

Anyway, Nos 52 and 53 were regauged and had modifications to the doors and other bits and pieces over the years - but two section windscreens remained. No 54 was never regauged and used as a source of spares for the other two cars.

Stationed at Essendon Depot these two cars normally worked the Footscray - Moonee Ponds line. For those who mourned closure of the VR lines, it was a chance to relive at least a little of the "good olde days". A number of fan trips were organised over the years utilising one or both of these trams. Until advent of the Z Class, they retained their former VR numbers but were then assigned new ones so there would be no confusion with the new trams. Finally they were "retired" but saved for preservation. During 2006 VR 53 was taken to the Bendigo Tramway Workshops where the staff did a good job of taking it back to original condition as much as possible. A special tour day was held in Bendigo during July for those interested. I was not there but understand the day was a great success.

Finally, the first portion of what is the present system was opened 11 October 1906. This was the Essendon Depot with two lines which are now parts of the present West Maribyrnong and Airport West routes. Some minor changes to them have been made over the years but essentially they are the same. This Depot is still the or one of the largest on the network. Both of these original routes are quite heavily patronised and it is not unusual to go past Essendon Depot at afternoon peak and see it all but completely devoid of trams inside.

Gradually other suburban tram systems opened over the following 10 years - all basically feeding passengers in to meet the cable trams which plied into the city centre. Bit by bit these small suburban systems joined up to form a link right round the cable system. Then, towards end of World War I, the M & MTB was formed to bring all this under the one organisation.

From then until 1940 the main task was replacement of nearly all cable routes with electric ones. Only 3 or 4 cable runs were not electrified. As this took place, there were other extensions and the like to the whole system, making it a very comprehensive one. The Depression slowed cable replacements but in October 1940 the last cable car lines were closed. By then buses had become the "in" mode of transport so double decker ones replaced the last cable cars.

Fortunately for the future of Melbourne trams, these double decker buses were a failure right from the start. No one liked them; stories abound of their being "cold", "stairs too steep", etc etc. It being the War years nothing could be done about it then but plans were made for these routes to be electrified. This was fortified in 1948 by appointment of Major General Risson as the Head of M & MTB; a position he retained until 1970.

A martinet, he was also a great advocate of trams. More lines were put down and the Bourke Street routes were electrified in readiness for the 1956 Olympic Games. Even a change of government shortly before that did not deter this project; only the cutting back of building the last W7 Class to run it.

Stories of Risson are still legion all these years later. One is of his putting all tram tracks in concrete as he said it was more economical. Behind his back it was said he did it to ensure the trams remained for a long time to come. When the Centennial of Cable Cars was being celebrated in November 1985, Risson was, although very elderly, still hale and hearty. Reporters visited him at his home and he spoke of his time with the trams.

Naturally, they asked him about his concreting the tracks and was it really due to it being more economical and not just to retain them. He replied that it was more economical to concrete them and - with a smile - added "and if it was the other I wouldn't tell you anyway!"

Kennet's privatisation of the system is too well known for me to make more than a mention of that. But it appears to be working - or bumbling - along okay. Yarra Trams seem to be doing their best for all concerned. Everyone was told to hold off on any Centennial Celebrations earlier in the year as Commonwealth Games took precedence. But even after the Games finished no one knew what was going to be done to celebrate the event.

May saw the VR Tram Centennial pass on a very low key. Nothing much was said or done but a walk along the St Kilda- Brighton route was arranged one Saturday morning. To everyone's surprise, quite a number turned up for this event. One who did was David Frost - no, not the English one! - who lived on this route until it closed and still lives just round the corner from where it ran.

Normally a quiet unassuming person, David, has a wide and deep knowledge of the VR trams as for years he not only lived on and used the Brighton line but also the Sandringham VR line to go to and from work. When the Ballarat group was formed he joined that and became one of their stalwart drivers. Later he joined TMSV and still drives at Bylands for them. Initially David had to learn on the Melbourne system under the same conditions as any applying for a licence to drive trams on it.

So he became the focus of attention on the tram walk. Being so long since the line closed there are now few about who have comprehensive knowledge of it.
Along with his tram interests David also is involved with other local historic groups in the area. This led to his putting out a small photocopied sheet of a short history about the VR lines. Other enthusiasts then got him to expand on this and in July a small booklet was released about the VR trams. Although a booklet it does contain quite a bit of information on the subject.

So, now to the Centennial itself. I was going down to it anyway, but some of the organisers were enthusiasts known to David and myself. From what I can gather, Yarra Trams got them to ask known enthusiasts and members of the 4 Victorian Tram Groups (Ballarat, Bendigo, Haddon and TMSV) to assist on the day.

I was in my suit as it is some years since I last wore my Ballarat uniform (have expanded outwards a lot since then!) but most others came in various uniforms of M & MTB, and Bendigo. Bendigo Trust sent down a busload of their drivers in uniform and did they look smart! David Frost caused quite a stir as he came in the M & MTB brown uniform of the early 1970s. It is very rare to see this one nowadays and his was the only one of that type there.

So rare and such a stir that he was interviewed by ABC (our national) TV as well as Chinese Cable TV. Both also interviewed Campbell Blight, a friend of ours, who had brought along a book of old tram tickets he had collected. Both of them "hammed it up" so naturally for the cameras. They saw themselves on TV that night!

Sunday 8 October dawned fine and sunny and the whole day was just what the Dr ordered weather-wise. During the early hours of that morning they brought a number of old trams from the Preston Workshops and Hawthorn Depot to the Docklands at City West. Outside Telstra Dome there is a long passing loop intended for trams associated with crowds to and from the Stadium. All the through routes were cut short of these tracks for the day and City Circle went down Spence St instead of going to the Docklands.

Each tram was set on its own so that one could take photos with other trams impinging on it. The only single truck car was V214 (now back to its original 1906 No 13), the oldest electric tram in Melbourne. All types of W Class and other bogie trams were displayed, including the Z, A, B, Citadis and Combino.
VR 53 was there and a big hit was the "Malcolm Tram" from the movie of that name. Everyone but everyone wanted to be photoed on the seat of that one!

Inside the Z Tram a screen had been set up and a continuous movie of the beginning and [close to] end of "Malcolm" along with some publicity film of the trams from the 1960s.

There were large loads of "goodies" - posters, badges, pens, caps, history sheets, etc, etc, - handed out all day byt Yarra Trams. Even though little had been heard before the day, they had certainly put together a nice range of items and displays for all present. The Tramways Band ( or whatever it is called now) played for a while, too. All in all, a most pleasant day.

No special tram rides were held; all the trams remained static during the day. They were driven away about 2.00 a.m. on the Monday morning. Three of them - VR 53, No !3 and another old bogie car - were taken to Essendon Depot in readiness for a special Centennial Day there on the Wednesday 11/10. We saw them still there on the afternoon of Tuesday 17/10.

Then, about 11.30 a.m. Wednesday 18/10, I happened to be waiting for a tram on Swanston at Latrobe when I spotted VR 53 coming along from Victoria St connecting line. As at most times I had my camera with me and got some shots of it approaching me. Then as luck would have it, I ran out of film and had to change rolls. While I did this it turned into Latrobe and ran on down to a crossover just past Elizabeth St. Thence it made its way back towards me.

By then my camera was reloaded and ready. Got a number of shots of it and was doubly in luck as it had to pull up for a red light where I was standing. It gave me enough time to grab some more shots, one of which I am told will be made into a post card. As you would gather, to see VR 53 in the streets of Melbourne is something very much out of the ordinary. While at the lights the driver told me it was being taken from Essendon to Preston Workshops. Then immediately afterwards they were either getting a cab or being driven back to Essendon Depot to collect No 13. Boy, was I lucky!!

Two trams have been painted to celebrate the Centennial. Combino 5006 is in a white with sort screen print pictures of various old trams on it. On the apron is a small copy of the Centennial Logo which shows a stylised version of the old No 13 and front of a Combino. Simple but effective design. Inside the tram are all sorts of small do-dahs depicting old ones hanging from the roof. This trams seems to ply the St Kilda - Brunswick lines along Bourke St.

The other one painted as such is W6 909 which does the City Circle. Shortly after capturing VR 53, I was in front of Flinders St Station meeting a friend - in fact I was on my way to meet him when I came across VR 53 - when 909 came along. Normally it is far too crowded at this intersection to get a good shot but somehow the crowds parted enough for me to grab two quick ones. One of these is also to be made into a post card, I am told! So meeting my friend had some good results!! It was a lovely clear day with good sunlight in all the spots where these trams were so I could not complain.

There is to be a special tram tour in conjunction with the COTMA Conference in November. To be held on Wednesday 22 November, there are all sorts of stories about this event having vintage and new trams but I am playing a "wait and see" policy so as not to be disappointed if it only has new ones. Due to all these new insurance and accreditation policies, tram tours are now becoming so rare as not to be had.

Will close for now

"Canberra Kid" a.k.a. "Count de Tranvias" - Earl Ewers