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Miscellaneous Shunting Yard
misc	trams
Home	trams	melb

Tramway Photographs

Because trams are light railways, they have to go somewhere in this catalogue. But I'm still not sure if this is the right place!

Melbourne's trams survived a concerted blitz by the motoring lobby in the 1960s to rid Australia of its trams. All the the other major cities in Australia, bar Melbourne, were persuaded that trams were an unnecessary clutter to the motoring public. Unfortunately, the congestion of the 80s and 90s came too late for the powers that be to learn the basic rule of transport: the heavier and more dedicated the mode of transport, the more efficient it is.

So while for some 30 years Melbourne was laughed at by other states for its trams, now the smiles are on the other side, for all cities are regretting their short-sighted actions, and some have gone so far as to start reinstalling light rail (e.g., Sydney). The Melbourne tram network is second-to-none in the world, with over 220 route kilometres of track.

Melbourne's trams survived a concerted blitz by the motoring lobby in the 1960s to rid Australia of its trams. All the the other major cities in Australia, bar Melbourne, were persuaded that trams were an unnecessary clutter to the motoring public. Unfortunately, the congestion of the 80s and 90s came too late for the powers that be to learn the basic rule of transport: the heavier and more dedicated the mode of transport, the more efficient it is.

So while for some 30 years Melbourne was laughed at by other states for its trams, now the smiles are on the other side, for all cities are regretting their short-sighted actions, and some have gone so far as to start reinstalling light rail (e.g., Sydney). The Melbourne tram network is second-to-none in the world, with over 220 route kilometres of track.

See also David Hoadley's comprehensive page on Melbourne's tram system

Melbourne Tramways

Melbourne Tramways have moved to a separate page

Maintenance Vehicles

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 101669 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Oct 1988 Photographer : Nathan Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 17747 Description : I think this is a scrubber car??

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 111137 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 24 Apr 2000 Photographer : Nathan Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 17748 Description : I think this is a washer car??

Bendigo Tramways

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=melbourne 93585 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 25 Nov 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18603 Description : N122 (originally HTT-16, at MMTB takeover became N122, in 1928 re-designated C122, in 1947 sold to the SECV and became Geelong No. 32, and later Bendigo's 3rd No. 3), preserved as MMTB No. 122 at the Bendigo Tramways

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=melbourne 147896 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 25 Nov 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18604 Description : C122 "on tour" down Bendigo's High Street (Calder Highway) late 1992.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 135672 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 30 Sep 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18598 Description : One of the Birney cars, originally operated by the Adelaide Municipal Tramways Trust (MTT), and sold to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1936 to operate the Geelong tramways system. Transferred to Bendigo in 1947, the year of the photographer's birth. Seen here at the Bendigo tram depot.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 121976 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 30 Sep 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Ektachrome, slide number 18592 Description : I think this is a W2 class at Central Deborah, Bendigo.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 123899 bytes, 900x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 25 Nov 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18599 Description : (from the Trams of Australia page): These trams were built for the Bendigo system, and they are believed to be the only trams which were. All the others came second-hand from other systems. No. 17 has been rebuilt to its original form by the Bendigo Trust and it can be found at the Bendigo Tramways, as seen here.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 126573 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 25 Nov 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18600 Description : (from the Trams of Australia page): This (and another) tram were built by J. G. Brill & Co. of the USA for the Geelong tramways. These two cars are the only two known Birney cars with longitudinal seating in the world. In 1948/9 these cars were transferred to Bendigo. No. 14 (which became Bendigo no. 11 in 1949) is preserved as Bendigo 11 at the Bendigo Tramways. This tram carries a little Bob Hawke doll, since he drove the tram at some time during his term as Prime Minister of Australia.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=melbourne 138747 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Sep 1992, catalogued 25 Nov 2000 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 18601 Description : The tram on the left is MMTB C class, originally built for the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT) as PMTT-45, reclassified as E-45 when taken over by the MMTB, and then further reclassified by the MMTB in 1928 as C-45. It was acquired by the Bendigo tramways in 1951 and renumbered 18. The centre tram is a Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT) vehicle, originally number 17, but on take over by the MMTB became N class number 123. In 1928 it was reclassified as C-123, and then sold to Bendigo tramways in 1945, where it became their number 23. The car on the right is an MMTB SW2-275 (sliding door W2 class), acquired by Bendigo tramways in 19??.

USA Tramways

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 119642 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 1993, catalogued 04 Jan 2001 Photographer : Stewart Hughes Medium : email digital image Description : Stewart writes: This is the St Charles tram in New Orleans taken in 1993.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 143269 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 1993, catalogued 04 Jan 2001 Photographer : Stewart Hughes Medium : email digital image Description : Stewart writes: This is the Riverfront tram in New Orleans again taken in 1993.

Seattle Trams

Seattle has a number of W2 class trams bought from Melbourne, that are used to provide a tourist service. You can read more about it in David Hoadley's Australian Trams in the United States of America

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 104221 bytes, 900x600 pixels Date : Aug 1993, catalogued 05 Jan 2001 Photographer : Stewart Hughes Medium : email digital image Description : Stewart writes: This is the tram that runs down to the seafront in Seattle taken in 1993. As with the New Orleans trams, this was part of a trip we did from New Orleans to Boston, then through NE US to Quebec and down to Niagra Falls, then the Rocky Mountaineer train trip from Banff to Vancouver, Victoria Island, then boat to Seattle then LA/Sydney.

Horse Drawn Trams

Victor Harbour-Granite Island

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 79402 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Jan 1996, catalogued 10 Mar 2001 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 19044 Description : I debated whether to include this picture, since it is so over-exposed, but it remains the best front three-quarter I have of the tram, so it is staying in for the moment, at least.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 56907 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : Jan 1996, catalogued 10 Mar 2001 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 19045 Description : A view of the horse-drawn tramway on Granite Island, looking back towards the township of Victor Harbour (through the trees across the water). The bridge linking the island to the mainland can be seen in the middle distance on the left.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 114907 bytes, 900x600 pixels Date : Jan 1996, catalogued 10 Mar 2001 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 19047 Description : The author's sister-in-law and wife pose for the camera as tram number 4 trundles by, just about to enter the bridge to the mainland.

Bordeaux Trams

I visited Bordeaux in 2002, when the city was a huge building lot as they struggled to install their new tram system. I visited again in 2004, and the transformation was astonishing. Controversially, the city decided to go for a new hidden third rail system, as it was concerned to preserve the aesthetic and architectural feel of the city by avoiding overhead wires. This was not without problems (see the the ALSTOM Press Release), but the resultant effect is wonderful. The trams are very comfortable to ride, and run quietly (even more quietly when the third rail system fails!) and effortlessly through the city streets. I was very taken with the overall design - but I have to admit, I still prefer the look of the Lyons trams ...

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 1541246 bytes, 1704x2272 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 10 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16398 Description : Detail of the third rail system used in the new Bordeaux tram system.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 90479 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 10 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16423 Description : One of the new Bordeaux trams at Quinconces, about to depart for Meriadeck. Note the third rail at the centre of the track. This is electrified in segments only as the tram passes over the rail, thus maintaining a safe environment.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 97192 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 10 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16424 Description : One of the new Bordeaux trams at Quinconces

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 94604 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 10 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16464 Description : One of the new Bordeaux trams at the Opera House

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 105419 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 10 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16466 Description : One of the new Bordeaux trams approaching the Opera House

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 90003 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 17 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16469 Description : A Bordeaux tram passes the Bordeaux Opera House. Don't you think this looks like one of those propoganda posters, giving an artist's impression of how the new system will look? Only this one's for real! Very impressive!

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 102293 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 17 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16486 Description : A Bordeaux tram waits at the Quinconces terminal.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 89168 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 17 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16501 Description : A Bordeaux tram approaches the Pont de Borgonne interchange.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 98257 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 17 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16504 Description : A Bordeaux tram at the Pont de Borgonne interchange.

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 80299 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 12 Jul 2004, catalogued 17 May 2005 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location IMG_16505 Description : A Bordeaux tram heading for Meriadeck, at the Pont de Borgonne interchange.

Oslo Trams

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 138421 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 22 Jun 2006, catalogued 21 Oct 2006 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Albums/2006/06/22/IMG_30252.jpg Description : A tram on the streets of Oslo

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 156346 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 22 Jun 2006, catalogued 21 Oct 2006 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Albums/2006/06/22/IMG_30253.jpg Description : Oslo: interesting tram tracks, with tram

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 159219 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 22 Jun 2006, catalogued 21 Oct 2006 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Albums/2006/06/22/IMG_30254.jpg Description : Oslo: interesting tram tracks, with tram

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 174500 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 22 Jun 2006, catalogued 21 Oct 2006 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Albums/2006/06/22/IMG_30255.jpg Description : Oslo: Ljabru tram

Image : dir=misc/trams/ page=index 166714 bytes, 800x600 pixels Date : 22 Jun 2006, catalogued 21 Oct 2006 Photographer : John Hurst Medium : digital camera (Canon S40), image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Albums/2006/06/22/IMG_30261.jpg Description : trams in Oslo

Enjoyed this page? Then why not visit David Hoadley's "Trams of Australia" page?

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