Melbourne's tram classification system is based on classes originally devised by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB). [1] At first this was largely based on the order in which the original tramway operators had introduced each different type of tramcar between 1906 and 1920. [1]
The classification system was simplified in 1928 [1] (or possibly earlier). All the drop-end combination trams of the B, H, J, M, and S classes were added to A class. The straight sill combination classes F, K, Q, and R, were added to G class. Drop-end-and-centre Maximum traction bogie combination classes D, E, N, and P, were added to C class. Sometimes variations on a design were given extra letters or numerals. For example, W type trams classified as W3, CW5, or SW6. Over the years many of the trams were modified and then reclassified – for example, every one of the original 200 W class trams were converted to W2 class between 1928 and 1933. [1]
Individual tram fleets had been numbered (from 1 upwards) by each of the pre-M&MTB tramway operators, but by 1924 the M&MTB had consolidated the numbering across the combined fleet. [1] With the introduction of Z class trams, the M&MTB started a new numbering system. [1] Tramways in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sorrento and the Victorian Railways had their own tram numbering systems. Trams which were moved between the systems were renumbered.
There were also many non-passenger trams, such as rail grinders, breakdown cars and freight cars which were not included in the classification system.
Image | Class | Description | Fleet numbers |
---|---|---|---|
A class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1910–1911) for PMTT [1] : 49 | 1–20 | |
B class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1917–1918) for PMTT [1] : 50 | 21–24, 84–91 | |
| C class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT [1] : 51 | 25–35 |
D class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1914) for PMTT [1] : 51 | 36 | |
| E class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1914) for PMTT [1] : 52 | 36–45 |
F class | Single truck, straight sill, clerestory-roofed, single aisle summer car, built by Duncan & Fraser (1912) for PMTT [1] : 52 | 46–47 | |
G class | Single truck, straight sill, single aisle summer car, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT [1] : 53 | 48–53 | |
| H class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT [1] : 54 | 54–63 |
| J class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company (1915) for PMTT [1] : 54 | 64–83 |
K class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Moore (1919–1920) for PMTT [1] : 55 | 92–100 | |
L class | Bogie combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1921) for PMTT [1] : 56 | 101–106 | |
| M class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917) for HTT and FTT [1] : 58 | 107–116, 183–189 |
| N class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1916) for HTT [1] : 59 | 117–126 |
O class | Maximum traction, bogie, straight sill, combination with one drop end, built by Duncan & Fraser (1912) for PMTT [1] : 60 | 127–130 | |
| P class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917–18) for HTT [1] : 61 | 131–138 |
Q class | Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by MMTB (1922–1923) [1] : 62 | 139–150, 190–201 | |
R class | Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1920) for FNPTT [1] : 63 | 151–153 | |
R class | Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by MMTB (1920) [1] : 63 | 172–176 | |
S class | Single truck, drop end, open California combination built by Duncan & Fraser (1916–1922) for MBCTT and MMTB [1] : 64 | 154–171 | |
T class | Single truck, drop end, open combination with long saloon, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917) for MBCTT [1] : 65 | 177–182 | |
![]() | U class | Single truck, saloon, built by Duncan & Fraser (1906) for NMETL [1] : 66 | 202–211 |
V class | Single truck, open cross bench, built by Duncan & Fraser (1906) for NMETL [1] : 67 | 212–216 | |
W class | Bogie drop centre combination, built 1923–1927 by Holden, James Moore & Sons and MMTB [1] : 23 : 112 | 219–418 | |
W1 class | Bogie drop centre combination, built by MMTB (1925–1928) [1] : 25 | 419–438, 470–479 | |
![]() | W2 class | Bogie drop centre combination, built by MMTB and James Moore & Sons (1927–31) [1] : 26 | 439–458, 480–609, 624–653 |
| W3 class | Bogie drop centre combination, built MMTB (1930–1934) [1] : 32 | 654–669 |
| W4 class | Bogie drop centre combination, built MMTB (1933–1935) | 670–674 |
CW5 class | Maximum traction, bogie, drop centre combination, built MMTB (1934–1935) [1] : 38 | 681–685 | |
| W5 class | Bogie, drop centre combination, built by MMTB (1935–1939) [1] : 35 | 720–839 |
SW2 class | Bogie drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1938, 1953, 1955) [1] : 37 | 275, 426, 432, 436, 478, 644 | |
![]() | SW5 class | Bogie, drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1939–1940, 840–849), converted by Metropolitan Transit Authority (1983–1986, all the other tram cars) [2] | 681–682, 721–734, 736–750, 752–755, 757–760, 764–765, 767–770, 773, 775–777, 780–781, 784–791, 793, 796–797, 800, 802, 805–812, 814–816, 818–819, 824, 828–830, 834, 836–838, 840–849 |
![]() | SW6 class | Bogie drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1939–1951) [1] : 40 | 850–969 |
PCC class (1950) | Two door bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1950) [1] : 42 | 980 | |
![]() | W6 class | Bogie, drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1951–1955) [1] : 43 | 970–979, 981–1000 |
![]() | W7 class | Two door bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1955–1956) [1] : 42 | 1001–1040 |
W8 class | Bogie drop centre saloon, converted from SW6/W6/W7 trams 946, 959 (2013), 957 (2015), 1010 (2016), 983 (2017), 856, 928, 961 (2019), 888 (2020) [3] | 856, 888, 928, 946, 957, 959, 961, 981, 983, 1010 | |
X class | Single truck saloon safety car, built by JG Brill Company & St Louis Car Company (1923) [1] : 22 | 217–218 | |
X1 class | Single truck saloon, built by MMTB (1926–1928) [1] : 28 | 459–468 | |
X2 class | Single truck saloon, built by MMTB (1930) [1] : 30 | 674 (later 680), 675–679 | |
Y class | Bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1927) [1] : 29 | 469 | |
![]() | Y1 class | Bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1930) [1] : 31 | 610–613 |
![]() | PCC class (1973) | Prototype two door bogie saloon, last ever tram built by MMTB (1973). [4] [5] Formed the basis of the Z1 class tram design | 1041 |
![]() | Z1 class | Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1974–1978) [1] : 13 | 1–100 |
![]() | Z2 class | Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1978–1979) [1] : 13 | 101–115 |
| Z3 class | Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1979–1984) [1] : 16 | 116–230 |
| A1 class | Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1983–1985) | 231–258 |
| A2 class | Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1985–1987) | 259–300 |
| B1 class | Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1984–1985) [1] : 19 | 2001–2002 |
| B2 class | Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1987–1994) | 2003–2132 |
| C1 class | Three-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 202 tram(2001–2002) | 3001–3036 |
![]() | C2 class | Five-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 302 trams (2008) [6] | 5103, 5106, 5111, 5113, 5123 |
| D1 class | Three section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2002–2003) [7] | 3501–3538 |
![]() | D2 class | Five section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2003–2004) [8] | 5001–5021 |
![]() | E1 class | Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2013–2017) [9] | 6001–6050 |
![]() | E2 class | Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2017–2021) [10] | 6051–6100 |
![]() | G class | Three-section, low floor Flexity 2 trams built by Alstom (2025–) | 7001–7100 |
The Melbourne tramway network is a tramway system serving the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The tramway network is centred around the Melbourne central business district (CBD) and consists of approximately 1,700 tram stops across 24 routes, with more than 500 trams and 250 kilometres of double tram track which served a patronage of 206 million over the year 2017-2018. It is the largest operational urban tram network in the world and one of the most used. Trams are the second most utilised form of public transport in Melbourne after the city's metropolitan commuter railway network.
The Z-class are single-unit bogie trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. Between 1975 and 1983, 230 trams spanning three sub-classes were built by Comeng, Dandenong. The design was based on two similar Gothenburg tram models, and a prototype built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. While the Z1 and Z2-class trams were very similar, the Z3-class had significant design changes.
The W-class trams are a family of electric trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) between 1923 and 1956. Over the 33 years of production, 752 vehicles spanning 12 sub-classes were constructed, the majority at the MMTB's Preston Workshops.
The Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT) was a former tram operator in Melbourne, Australia. The trust was formed in 1907, with its first line operating in 1910. Its functions were taken over by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board in 1920.
The Ballarat Tramway Museum is an operating tramway museum, located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The museum is run by volunteers and has a fleet of trams which operate on part of the original horse tramway around Lake Wendouree and the Botanical Gardens. It has a large research collection, archive of information and more than 3,500 items about the Ballarat tramways. The trams in Ballarat operated on a large network through the city from 1887 until 1971.
Francis Richard Kirby (1911–1982) was an Australian electrical engineer and tramway administrator. After working at the State Electricity Commission of Victoria as an engineer, Kirby started working for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB). He became the MMTB's fourth Chairman in 1970, taking over from Robert Risson, and was succeeded by Dudley Snell, the last Chairman of the MMTB, in 1976.
The C-class was a group of 11 trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide for the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (P&MTT) in 1913, numbered 25 to 35. All retained their fleet numbers when passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB) on 2 February 1920, after it took over the P&MTT. They were designated C-class sometime after October 1921, and by late 1923, all M&MTB drop-end-and-centre Maximum Traction trams were grouped together as C-class trams. The 22E Maximum Traction trucks were of JG Brill design, although manufactured by Brush in England.
Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (P&MTT) tram No.36 was one of a batch of ten Maximum Traction bogie cars built in 1914 by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide. Although the lowest numbered of this group, it was the last to enter service, and was the first P&MTT tram to be equipped with 2 x 65 hp GE 201G motors. Subsequently, all other P&MTT Maximum Traction bogie cars were later retro-fitted with the same type of motors. The 22E Maximum Traction trucks were of JG Brill design, although manufactured by Brush in England.
The E-class was a group of 10 trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide, for the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (P&MTT) in 1914, numbered 36 to 45. Number 36 was converted to a different form by the P&MTT c. 1916, and was later designated D-class. All retained their fleet numbers when passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB) after it took over the P&MTT on 2 February 1920, and they were designated E-class sometime after October 1921. By late 1923, together with other all M&MTB drop-end-and-centre Maximum Traction trams, they were re-classed as C-class trams. The 22E Maximum Traction trucks were of JG Brill design, although manufactured by Brush in England.
The L-class was a class of six trams ordered from James Moore & Sons by the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT). However, by the time they were delivered in 1921, the PMTT had been taken over by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB).
The M-class was a class of 17 trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide for the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT) as numbers 1 to 10, and 33 to 39. All passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board on 2 February 1920 when it took over the Municipal Tramway Trusts, becoming the M-class and being renumbered 107 to 116, and 183 to 189.
The N-class was a class of 10 trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide for the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT) as numbers 11 to 20, all passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB) on 2 February 1920 when it took over the HTT, becoming the N-class and being renumbered 117 to 126.
The O-class Melbourne tram were a group of four trams built in 1912 by Duncan & Fraser (Adelaide) for the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (P&MTT) upon the recommendation of W. G. T. Goodman, Chief Engineer and General manager of the Adelaide tramways. They were allocated P&MTT fleet numbers 21 to 24. At the time of their introduction, they were by far the largest street-vehicles in Melbourne, and earned the nicknames Zeppelins and Dreadnoughts. Proving to be less than satisfactory in service, they were later sold to the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT) in August 1916 as "surplus to requirements", however P&MTT soon ordered replacement tramcars. Coincidentally they retained their fleet numbers whilst at Hawthorn.
The P-class was a class of eight trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide for the Hawthorn Tramway Trust (HTT) as numbers 25 to 32. All passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board on 2 February 1920 when it took over the HTT becoming the P-class and being renumbered 131 to 138.
The Q-class was a class of 24 trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB). They were built as part of the MMTB's plan to quickly increase the size of its fleet at its Holden Street Workshops. Twenty were rebuilt for use on all night services and in this role they travelled across the network.
The S-class was a class of 18 trams built by Duncan & Fraser, Adelaide for the Melbourne, Brunswick & Coburg Tramways Trust (MBCTT). The first 12 entered service in 1916, numbered 1 to 12. All passed to the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) on 2 February 1920 when it took over the MBCTT, becoming the S-class and renumbered 154-165.
The X1-class was a class of ten trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. Developed from the X-class, they differed in having four doors. They were initially allocated to Glenhuntly and Hawthorn depots. Six were transferred to the isolated Footscray network In June 1928 with the other four following in June 1929.
The X2-class was a class of six trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. Developed from the X1-class, they differed in having larger wheels, angled windshields and only two doors.
The Y-class was a one-member tram class built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. It entered service in September 1927 initially operating a 24-mile tourist service, before being used on regular services on the Burwood line and all night services from Camberwell depot in company with the Y1-class.
The Y1-class was a class of four trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board built as a modified version of the Y-class to trial one man operation. Initially used on East and West Preston routes from Collins Street, from 1934 they were transferred to the Toorak line. From 1936 they were used on Burwood services from Camberwell depot. In 1933, 613 was used on Victorian Railways' Sandringham railway station to Black Rock line.