Melbourne's Restaurant Trams

Melbourne's famous Restaurant Trams, operated by the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Company, have been a feature of Melbourne since the 1980's. The original Restaurant Tram, number 442, was converted from a W2 class tram. Later Restaurant Trams were converted from SW6 class.

The Restaurant Trams operate to a regular timetable along a defined route. When justified by bookings, they operate in convoy. Anyone seeking a booking is advised to do so months ahead to ensure that they secure the date they wish, as the Restaurant Trams are a very popular tourist attraction, as well as being popular with Melbournians.

The Restaurant Trams were originally based at South Melbourne Depot. However, when this Depot was closed and replaced by Southbank Depot, their base was moved there. The passenger boarding point has also been moved to Normanby Road at Clarendon Street, on the west end of the Casino. The original passenger loading location was in Nolan Street at St Kilda Road, by the Arts Centre

Images of Melbourne's Restaurant Tram

Converted W2 tram 442 is now a restaurant tram. 442 was photographed in Clarendon Street at Park Street, South Melbourne, heading north on Sunday 11 June 2000. 442 was near the end of a Sunday lunchtime run when this picture was taken. The lunchtime service commences at 1 pm and takes approximately 2 hours.

Shortly after the above picture was taken, Restaurant tram 442 was photographed in the tramway reservation between Whiteman Street and Normanby Road at Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, at around 3pm on Sunday 11 June 2000. 442, followed by 937, was waiting for the B2 tram to pass before shunting and unloading passengers at the end of its lunchtime journey.

Restaurant tram 442 was flash photographed about to depart from the Albert Park siding in Albert Road, Albert Park one wet evening in June 2000. The Restaurant tram stops at this location for around 20 minutes to allow patrons to stretch their legs before making the final leg of the trip back to near Casino West. The driver of 442 was waiting for the B2 tram on the right to pass by before departing.

442 was photographed shunting in Park Street, South Melbourne, just west of Clarendon Street one Saturday afternoon in May 2000. The driver was climbing back into the cab of 442 after switching the points at the crossover at this location. Presumably 442 was preparing for a special run as this is not understood to be on its normal Restaurant tram route.

SW6 tram 937 was also converted to restaurant service. 937 was photographed in Clarendon Street at Park Street on Sunday 11 June 2000.

Restaurant tram 937 was photographed in Whiteman Street, just west of Clarendon Street about to discharge its load of lunchtime diners on Sunday 11 June 2000. 442 is just in front of 937, while track cleaning tram 11W (ex Sydney scrubber tram and K class passenger tram) passes by on its journey to Southbank Depot.

Restaurant tram 939 was photographed at Southbank Depot on Tuesday 25 April 2000. The three Restaurant trams are based here when not in service. Behind 939 is 937, while 442 is visible just to the left of 939.