Preserved Melbourne cable trams

Melbourne once had one of the largest cable tram systems in the world outside of the United States of America. The last of Melbourne's cable trams operated in 1940. Despite this, a number of Melbourne's cable trams have survived. Some were preserved intact. Others found uses as additions to buildings and a number of trams have since been rescued for preservation.

This page endeavours to highlight a number of preserved cable trams from the Melbourne system.

I trust that you will enjoy these pictures.

Cable tram trailer 290 was withdrawn from service and privately preserved by Mr A. E. Twentyman in 1930. As such, 290 was the first tram to be privately presrved in Australia. 290 is now in the care of the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria (Inc.). This photo shows 290 in the Exhibition Shed at the TMSV's museum at Bylands, north of Melbourne in April 2003.

Cable tram trailer 299 has been preserved by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria (Inc.). This photo shows 299 in the Exhibition Shed at the TMSV's museum at Bylands, north of Melbourne in September 2003.

Cable tram grip number 436 was also privately preserved by Mr A. E. Twentyman. 436 is showing side destination signs for the route from Rathdown Street Carlton to Brighton Road, St Kilda. This photo shows 436 in the Exhibition Shed at the TMSV's museum at Bylands in April 2003.

Cable tram trailer number 586 was also privately preserved by Mr A. E. Twentyman. Like number 290, it is painted in the chocolate and cream colour scheme of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, the government operator which, after an interim administration, took over the cable tram system from the private company which first operated Melbourne's cable tram system. This photo shows 586 in the Exhibition Shed at Bylands in April 2003.

Cable tram trailer 485 was one of a number of bogie cable trailers that operated on the route from the City to Coburg along Sydney Road. This tram was obtained for preservation by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria (Inc.) from a backyard in Sunshine in 1996. This trailer was built as a new complete vehicle, unlike some other bogie cable trailers, which were spliced together from two six window horse tram trailers. Number 485 is shown on genuine cable tram bogies which had been retained by the M&MTB after the bodies were scrapped. These bogies were subsequently used at the M&MTB's Preston Workshops. This photo shows 485 in the A.E. Twentyman Shed at Bylands on 19 November 2000.

Cable tram trailer 253 has been converted by the TMSV to a replica of the cross bench horse trams that once operated from Royal Parade to the Royal Park Zoo. This horse tram service ceased after the horse tram depot was burned down in the 1920's. This photo shows 253 outside the A.E. Twentyman Shed at Bylands on 19 November 2000.