18 Nov - 18 Nov 2023
This year is the 100th anniversary of the introduction of Melbourne’s iconic W-Class trams. We will be celebrating with a special event on Saturday 18 November featuring the W Class trams of the Ballarat Tramway Museum and the Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association.
There is no additional cost for the day and normal admission prices will apply.
At 12.30pm the trams will drive in a cavalcade along Wendouree Parade.
Two special trams will be making an appearance as part of the event. BTM’s newly restored W7 No. 1029 will be launched on the day. This tram has been adapted to make it wheelchair accessible. The MTPA’s L Class tram, No. 103, will be in Ballarat for the first time. The L class trams, built for the Prahran and Malvern Tramway Trust are regarded as being the prototype for the later W class trams. Only four if these trams are preserved, and No. 103 is the only one currently in operation.
The museum will also feature displays on the history of the W class trams.
Featured Trams
Tram No. 34
Tram No. 34, built in 1917/18 by Duncan and Fraser for the Hawthorn Tramways Trust, entering service in March 1918 as number No. 31. Renumbered 137 in 1920 when the Trust was taken over by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Sold to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) and renumbered 34 in January 1947. At the time of closure of the SECV operated tramways was donated to the Australian Electric Transport Museum (AETM), Adelaide and operated at their St Kilda Museum Tramway. Returned to Ballarat during 2022, with an agreement that ownership will pass to the Ballarat Tramway Museum when reconstruction to operating condition is completed. 2025/2026 - The tram is at the Bendigo Tramway Workshops for repair and repainting.
Tram No. 407 – W2 Class 407
W2 Class 407 entered service in Melbourne on the 5 October 1926 as a W Class tram, being converted to a W2 Class tram in the early 1930’s. For the most part 407 is a stock-standard W2 Class tram, however its fate irreversibly changed one evening in February 1972 when it collided with a cement truck at the corner of Dandenong Road and Chapel Street. One end of 407 was severely damaged in the collision, yet it was driven under its own power to Preston Workshops for repair. The insurance payout from the truck’s insurer was used to fund the reconstruction of 407 as an apprentice training project. To assist in the rebuild, sister car 259 which had been withdrawn from service was dismantled to provide a replacement chassis, roof structure and other components for the damaged end of 407. This work was recorded as an 03 overhaul in 407’s car records, but was in reality more of an 01 overhaul. Prior to returning to service, 407 was fitted with the multiple head and tail lights that were fitted to trams of this class from the early 1970’s. 407 continued to run for a number of years until it was withdrawn from service on the 12 January 1982, arriving at Haddon on the 18 February 1982 after having run a total of 2,523,134 kilometres in Melbourne. Tram 407 was purchased without trucks and was mounted on trucks from W2 499 on arrival at Haddon. The number 4 motor in 499’s trucks was found to be defective and required replacement with a serviceable motor prior to 407 being made operable. 407 is fitted with British Thompson Houston (BTH) 265D motors, which were a favourite among tram enthusiasts for their fast running and unique sound. 407 has been restored to its final...
Tram No. 671
One of 5 cars built by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board between 1933 and 1935 and classed "W4". This was the first class of Melbourne cars to have wide bodies and transverse seating in the saloons. Purchased by the Society in 1975.
Tram No. 939 – Cuthberts
Tram 939 is an SW6 class tram built in Melbourne in 1946. It became Colonial Restaurant Car No. 3 in 1995, and worked in Melbourne until 2012. The BTM acquired the tram in 2014. No. 939 was adapted for our use in 2015-2016. This adaption included removal of the toilet and the creation of a small kitchen, complete with dishwasher and an espresso coffee machine. In 2020 the tram was withdrawn from service during the COVID-19 outbreak and is currently waiting adaptions which will improve the air flow and circulation within the saloon.
Tram No. 1029
Tram 1029 is a member of the 40 strong W7 class completed by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board between March 1955 and August 1956. These were the last W class trams built. They were designed to be as quiet as possible with sound proofing, resilient wheels, double helical gears and a different layout in the drop centre. No. 1029's steelwork was built by Ansair Industries with the wooden coachwork undertaken by the MMTB at Preston Workshops. The tram entered service on 1 February 1956. It was retired and place into storage at Newport on 12 September 1995. During 2018 VicTrack commenced a process to find new homes for some 134 trams stored at Newport Railway Workshops. Over 1500 applications were received. The Museum was allocated trams SW5 836 and W7 1029. Being an open format tram, it makes it very suitable for days of heavy loading, functions, bus parties etc. This tram has been modified to make it wheelchair accessible.
