Timeline of trams in Melbourne

Last updated

The Melbourne tram network began in 1884 with the construction of the Fairfield Horse Tramway. However, the purpose of the line was to increase land prices in the area, and it soon closed during the depression in 1890. [1] The first genuine attempt to construct a tramway network was the construction of the Richmond cable tram line by the Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Company in 1885. Over the next few years, 16 more cable tram lines were constructed, as well as numerous other horse tramways. [2] The depression of the early 1890s slowed further expansion of the cable network. The first electric tram line was the Box Hill and Doncaster tramway which opened in 1889. This was a pioneering line in what was then the countryside and thus didn't receive much patronage. It closed in 1896. [3] The next attempt at an electric tramway was Victorian Railways' St Kilda to Brighton line, which opened in 1906. [4] Later that year, the North Melbourne Electric Tramway & Lighting Company opened lines to Essendon and Maribyrnong. [5] Many local councils formed their own tramway trusts and built tramways within their own constituency. The most successful of these was the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust. [6]

Contents

Consolidation of all of the systems occurred with the forming of the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board in 1920, who eventually took control of all lines except for the two Victorian Railways lines. [7] The MMTB continued the expansion of the electric tramways and began the process of electrifying the cable network, which began in earnest by the mid-1920s. Though many more lines were planned, the Great Depression and World War II slowed the process of construction. The electrification of the cable network was effectively completed by 1956 with the opening of the Bourke Street lines. However, by this time, the increasing popularity of the motor vehicle and the anti-tram Bolte government prevented any expansion in the following years, and overall patronage began to decline. [8] The VR closed its two lines and the MMTB also closed many of its shorter, more marginal routes. The decades following the late 1970s saw the expansion of tram lines to outer suburbs such as Bundoora, Vermont South, Airport West, and Box Hill. [9] Establishment of a state-run corporation to operate Melbourne's tram network occurred in 1983. In 1997, the tram network was split into two and later privatized. Since 2004, Yarra Trams has been the sole operator of the Melbourne Tram Network. [7]

This timeline lists all of the openings, extensions and closures of all lines, as well as other significant events of the Melbourne Tram Network.

1880s

The opening of the Richmond cable line on 11 November 1885 Melbourne's first cable tram.jpg
The opening of the Richmond cable line on 11 November 1885
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889

1890s

1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1896
1897

1900s

1901
1902
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908

1910s

The PMTT opened the Dandenong Road line on 16 December 1911 PMTT Dandenong Road opening.jpg
The PMTT opened the Dandenong Road line on 16 December 1911
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919

1920s

The Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board took over all tramways between by 1922 Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Logo.jpg
The Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board took over all tramways between by 1922
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929

1930s

1930
1931
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939

1940s

1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945

1950s

1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1959

1960s

1960
1962
1965
1967
1968

1970s

1970
1973
1975
1976
1978

1980s

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
A B2 class tram runs of the St Kilda light rail, converted in 1987. Melbourne tram route 96.jpg
A B2 class tram runs of the St Kilda light rail, converted in 1987.
1988
1989

1990s

1990
1992
1993
City Circle tram, which commenced in 1994 City-Circle-Tram,-cnr-Flinders&Elizabeth,-Melb,-12.08.2008.jpg
City Circle tram, which commenced in 1994
1994
1995
1997
1998
1999

2000s

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2009

2010s

An E Class tram in North Balwyn, May 2014 E-class tram in North Balwyn (2).jpg
An E Class tram in North Balwyn, May 2014
2013
2014
2017
2018

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Melbourne tram route 5 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from Melbourne University to Malvern. The 12.6-kilometre (7.8 mi) route is operated out of Malvern depot with Z and D1 class trams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 112</span> Former tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne tram route 112 was operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from West Preston to St Kilda. The 18 kilometre route was operated out of East Preston depot with A, B and D2 class trams.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 109</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 16</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 67</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne tram route 67 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from Melbourne University to Carnegie. The 12.7-kilometre (7.9 mi) route is operated out of Glenhuntly depot with Z and B class trams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne cable tramway system</span> Cable car public transport system in Melbourne, Australia

The Melbourne cable tramway system was a cable car public transport system, which operated between 1885 and 1940 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 1</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne tram route 1 is a tram route on the Melbourne tramway network serving the city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Operated by Yarra Trams, the route is coloured light green and extends from East Coburg to South Melbourne Beach over 13.2-kilometre (8.2 mi) of double track via Nicholson Street, Lygon Street, Swanston Street and South Melbourne. It is serviced out of Brunswick depot utilising Z and B class trams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 3</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 19</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 64</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne tram route 64 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from Melbourne University to Brighton East. The 18.1 kilometre route is operated out of Glenhuntly depot with Z and B class trams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 86</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne tram route 11</span> Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Cameron (tramways administrator)</span>

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The Melbourne, Brunswick & Coburg Tramways Trust was a tram operator in Melbourne, Australia

References

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