Melbourne tram classification

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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.

Classes

MMTB Tram Classification and Number
ImageClassDescriptionFleet 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
Ballarat tram No 40.JPG 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
Ballarat tram 38.JPG 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
Ballarat tram No 18.JPG H class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT [1] : 54 54–63
Ballarat tram side view.JPG 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
Ballarat Tram 26.JPG M class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917) for HTT and FTT [1] : 58 107–116, 183–189
Blank.JPG 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
Bendigo tram 25.JPG 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
NMETL first tram.jpg 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
W class tram c1942.jpg 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 tram 661.JPG W3 class Bogie drop centre combination, built MMTB (1930–1934) [1] : 32 654–669
Ballarat tram No 671.JPG 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
HCF Tram in Victoria 1969.JPG 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
SW5.728FlindersStreet.jpg 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
M&MTB 965 on Sporvejsmuseet.jpg 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 983 in Victoria Pde on route 30, 2004 (tram).jpg W6 class Bogie, drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1951–1955) [1] : 43 970–979, 981–1000
W7 1022 in La Trobe St on route 30, 2008 (tram).jpg 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
Melbourne Y1 Class Tram 611 Sydney Tramway Museum December 2023 2.jpg Y1 class Bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1930) [1] : 31 610–613
Melbourne Tram PCC class 1041 Hawthorn Tram Museum, October 2023.jpg 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 design1041
Z1 78 on St Kilda Road.jpg Z1 class Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1974–1978) [1] : 13 1–100
Z2 101 Swanston Street 4-10-2012.jpg Z2 class Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1978–1979) [1] : 13 101–115
Z3 123 (Melbourne tram) in Swanston St, December 2013.JPG Z3 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1979–1984) [1] : 16 116–230
A1 237 (Melbourne tram) in Bourke St, December 2013.JPG A1 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1983–1985)231–258
A2273 YarraTrams New Livery.JPG A2 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1985–1987)259–300
B1.2001 bourke, 2014.JPG B1 class Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1984–1985) [1] : 19 2001–2002
B 2086 PTV livery Sep 2014.JPG B2 class Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1987–1994)2003–2132
C.3025 collins, 2014.JPG C1 class Three-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 202 tram(2001–2002)3001–3036
C2.5123 bourke, 2014.jpg C2 class Five-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 302 trams (2008) [6] 5103, 5106, 5111, 5113, 5123
D1.3528 flinders, 2014.JPG D1 class Three section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2002–2003) [7] 3501–3538
D2 5001 (Melbourne tram) in Elizabeth St on route 19 to City in PTV livery, December 2013.jpg D2 class Five section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2003–2004) [8] 5001–5021
Melbourne Tram E-Class 6007.jpg E1 class Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2013–2017) [9] 6001–6050
E2 class tram.jpg E2 class Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2017–2021) [10] 6051–6100
Front of G-class tram mockup at Alstom warehouse in Melbourne, Tullamarine (53413010003).jpg G class Three-section, low floor Flexity 2 trams built by Alstom (2025–)7001–7100

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-class Melbourne tram (1913)</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-class Melbourne tram (1914)</span>

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-class Melbourne tram</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P-class Melbourne tram</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Y1-class Melbourne tram</span>

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Cross, Norman (2001). Destination City. Sydney: Transit Australia. ISBN   0-909459-17-7.
  2. ↑ "SW5 Class". vicsig.net.
  3. ↑ "W8 Class". vicsig.net.
  4. ↑ "PCC.1041". vicsig.net. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board PCC No 1041". Melbourne Tram Museum. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "C2 Class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "D1 class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "D2 class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  9. ↑ "E class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  10. ↑ "E2 class, Trams DownUnder" . Retrieved 9 April 2018.
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