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W-class Melbourne tram

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W-class
W6 992 on Victoria Street
ManufacturerMelbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board
AssemblyHolden Body Builders
Holden Street Workshops
James Moore & Sons
Preston Workshops
Constructed1923–1956
Number built752
Number in service11 in Melbourne on City Circle services
Fleet numbers219–1040 (not all numbers in that range are used by W classes)
DepotsSouthbank
Specifications
Electric system(s)600 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Trolley pole or pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The W-class trams are a family of electric trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) between 1923 and 1956. Over the 33 years of production, 752 vehicles spanning 12 sub-classes were constructed, the majority at the MMTB's Preston Workshops.

A small fleet continue to operate on the tramway network of Melbourne, Australia, where they are used on the City Circle tourist route. The W-class tram is a cultural icon to Melbourne: those that remain in the city are classified by the National Trust of Australia.

As well as Melbourne, W-class trams operate on tourist and heritage systems across the world. A number of older variants have been withdrawn from service and later sent to cities such as Copenhagen, San Francisco, Savannah and Seattle, and by private enthusiasts. In 2018, 134 W-class trams were offered to the Australian public for new uses.[1]

As of December 2021, only 11 W class trams remain in service in Melbourne, all of which are W8 trams operating on the City Circle tram route.[2]

History

[edit]
A W5 class tram, 1969

W-class trams were introduced to Melbourne in 1923 as a new standard design. They had a dual bogie layout and were characterised by a substantial timber frame supplanted by a steel underframe, a simple rugged design, and fine craftsmanship (particularly the older models). The W class was the mainstay of Melbourne's tramways system for 60 years. A total of 752 trams of all variants were built.

The original variant (W) was a typical Drop-centre design tram, which was also used in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, and later Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong following movements of earlier Melbourne trams. The W1 was created with no centre doors, and changed to the W2 design, which all earlier Ws were upgraded to. A handful were upgraded to the SW2 design with sliding doors, which were followed by the unsuccessful W3 and W4 designs. All were supplemented in the late 1930s by 120 W5 (or "Clyde") class trams with wider cabins, and more powerful motors. However, they were notorious for being difficult to drive smoothly. After this came the SW5, initially only the last ten W5 trams fitted with sliding doors before entering service, but by the 1990s the majority of the W5 fleet, having been upgraded. The SW6 followed on, and became the most popular W-class tram with crews and passengers alike, because they were fast, smooth and comfortable, compared with earlier W variants. After experimentation with a PCC streetcar, construction of Ws resumed in 1951, with more SW6 and later W6 and the final 40 W-class trams (W7) emerging from Preston Workshops by 1956, when the need to provide something more capable of dealing with Olympic Games crowds than Bourke Street's buses prompted the last expansion of the network.

In April 1971, W7 1024 became the first tram to carry all over advertising livery when it was painted for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, followed by Heinz (June 1971), Preston Market (August 1971), and Channel 0 (October 1971). It was fitted with 400 light bulbs on its roofline.[3] It was joined by W6 900 in 1973.[4] In 1977 W2 546 was fitted with an experimental Siemens pantograph.[5]

The W7 class with its pneumatic sliding doors and softer suspension proved popular with passengers. It was not until the 1990s that the W class was finally considered surplus to rolling stock requirements. Mass withdrawal came with the introduction of the B2 class (although the previous Z and A classes had enabled withdrawal of W2s), with the remaining weather blind trams being removed by 1993, all of the 1980s SW5 conversions besides no.728 (which remained in service until 2011) by 1994, and many SW6/W6/W7 classes. In 1998, all Ws remaining in service were withdrawn due to a strike, and, although unintended, this would become the end for the Ws which were not running on routes 30, 78/79 and 35. In 2014, all non-city circle Ws were withdrawn, in 2018, the restaurant trams, and in 2019, the remaining non-W8 class trams. This left only the upgraded sliding door W-class trams, modernised from 2013 onwards, which were designated the W8 class.

Removal from service

[edit]

In 1992, an official mass withdrawal of the W class was announced by transport minister Alan Brown. That was generally due to the fact that over 200 W class remained in service, while the newer Z-class trams were in storage in varying locations, after being displaced by the newer A and B class vehicles. Protests over the disappearing icons brought about a reconsideration of the withdrawal policy, and it was decided 53 Ws would be retained for tourist purposes. The popular zero-fare City Circle tourist route commenced in April 1994, using 12 of the 53 trams retained.[6]

When the network was privatised in August 1999, 30 W-class trams were allocated to M>Tram and 23 to Yarra Trams.[7]

City Circle trams on La Trobe Street

In mid-2000 all operating W-class trams were removed from service following a series of incidents involving brake problems.[8] Some returned to service in May 2001 on the City Circle route, with 25 operating in September 2003. The return of another 30 W-classes was announced in September 2003, but on more limited routes than before their withdrawal from service.[9] All 53 had been returned to service by late 2003.[10][11] The reintroduction followed the installation of new braking systems, speedometers, and the imposition of a 40 km/h (25 mph) speed limit. The trolley poles were subsequently replaced with pantographs.[9]

The condition of the W-class fleet was criticised by the Australian Rail Tram & Bus Industry Union in September 2008, with a demand for the State Government to repair or withdraw them. A Yarra Trams spokesman said that the fleet met maintenance standards, but required more cosmetic work than other trams due to their wooden structure and age.[11]

In January 2010, it was announced by transport minister Martin Pakula that the 26 W-class trams operating the inner city revenue services would be phased out by 2012, claiming that they were no longer suitable for revenue service and would be replaced by more modern trams.[12] This prompted a new campaign from the National Trust of Australia to retain the W-class trams in service.[13] It was also proposed that unused W-class trams could be better utilised by refurbishing and leasing them as "roving ambassadors" to other cities, with the claim that this could generate revenue for investment into the public transport system.[14]

Heritage operations

[edit]

Following a change in government, in May 2011 $8 million over four years was allocated for the restoration of eight W-class trams, with options for new routes to be considered.[15][16] The restoration is occurring at Preston Workshops (where many W-class trams were originally built), with the resultant tram being dubbed W8s, they are receiving full rebuilds and many upgrades, including modernised braking and suspension.[17] The first, W8 946 entered service in March 2013,[18] while the second, W8 959 returned from 18 months of work performed at Bendigo Tramways in June 2013.[19][20] These have since been joined by W8 957[21] and W8 1010.[22] As at February 2017, 981 and 983 were under overhaul in Bendigo.[23]

As at March 2017, 12 W-class trams are in service on the Melbourne tram network,[24][25] All run on the zero-fare City Circle tourist route at any time during operating hours.[26] The last examples on routes 30, 78 and 79 were withdrawn in late 2013.

Three W6 class trams were converted for use on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service which operated three meal services daily. As of October 2018, Yarra Trams has declared the restaurant trams to be too unsafe for use on the network.

Preservation

[edit]

The W-class tramcars are highly popular trams in preservation, both throughout Australia and around the world.

W-class trams were used in the filming of the HBO mini-series The Pacific, including W3-class tram number 667.[27]

A number of W-class trams have been sent overseas, including five that were sold to Seattle between 1978 and 1993, where they operated as Seattle's own heritage streetcar line, George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line, between 1982 and 2005. Since 1990, public outrage has forced an embargo to be placed on the sale of these trams to any overseas interest. Three of these trams have been sold to Loop Trolley for use in St. Louis.

In February 2004, after some years of negotiation, a W6-class tram, Melbourne 930, was shipped to Edmonton as an ambassador for the City of Melbourne. The tram, which is owned by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, operates as part of the High Level Bridge Streetcar fleet, connecting Old Strathcona to Downtown on 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) of track.[28][29]

The Dallas MATA and the Memphis MATA both run W-class trams on their downtown streetcar services. A highly modified W class tram began running in 2009 along River Street in Savannah, Georgia, its AC motors powered by biodiesel-fueled generators. Memphis MATA Trolley has 10 W-2 and 1 W-5 cars.

In the 1980s, W2 520 was bought by the musician and composer Elton John in what he described as one of "my drug-induced moments".[30] John exported the tram to England where it stands in the grounds of Woodside, his country house in Berkshire.[31][32]

W6 965 at the Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum

In 2005, W6 965 was restored at a cost of $25,000 and given as a wedding present from the Victorian Government to Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. Shipping line Maersk transported the tram to Denmark free of charge, waiving the estimated bill of $40,000.[33] It was placed in the custody of the Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum.[34][35]

In October 2016, the government announced the formation of a reference group to formulate a strategy for the over 237 in store at Newport Workshops.[36]

In 2018, the results of the condition audit were published as part of the Daniel Andrews State Government's Retired Trams Strategy.[37] The audit found there was 237 W-class trams in storage in 2018, with most not in a suitable condition for tourist operations.[37] Of the 237, 17 were operational for use on the City Circle line or the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, 25 were in good overall condition and suitable for W8 upgrading, six were privately owned, 11 had historical significance, 20 were former Transporting Art trams, and 24 were of poor or incomplete condition but suitable for donors and spares.[37] Trams with historical significance were to be kept and made available to museums, augmenting the 34 W-class trams already on display throughout Victoria. Five trams were kept for potential gifting and nine for other potential future uses. Former art trams were to be kept in storage for future public display.[37]

The balance of trams, 134, had a condition or significance that did not lend itself to being preserved for operations in any way.[37] These trams were offered to the public by the State Government under an expression of interest process, with trams offered for free to schools, community groups and non-profit organisations.[1][38] Private buyers and business could purchase a tram for $1,000 plus the cost of transport, with owners having to explain how they would restore, repurpose and maintain the trams for use.[38] A panel was established to assess applications, with priority given to maintaining public access. Trams were expected to be used for purposes like cafes or classrooms.[38]

More than 1,500 applications were received through the process.[39] The first two W-Class trams to leave Newport Workshop under the process were acquired by the City of Launceston in Tasmania in 2019 to be restored and used in a public space.[39][40]

Subclasses

[edit]

W

[edit]

There were 200 W-class trams built from 1923 to 1926. They could seat 52 passengers with room for 93 people standing.[41] They were built by the MMTB's Holden Street Workshop and Preston Workshops.[42] Some were also built by private companies including James Moore & Sons of South Melbourne, and Holden Body Builders of Adelaide.[42] All 200 were converted to W2s between 1928 and 1933. No. 380 was converted back to original condition in 1988 for the Heritage Fleet.[42] No. 220 is undergoing conversion by the TMSV Bylands from W2 class back to the original W class tram.[43]

W1

[edit]

There were 30 W1-class trams built between 1925 and 1928. They were a variation on the W-class trams and used a different seating arrangement. The middle of the tram was open like the earlier cable cars and allowed passengers to get on and off the tram quickly. However, in cold and wet weather the openings were only covered by pull down blinds. Passengers were looking for more comfort and these trams were later converted to the W2 design.[44] Four SW2s have been converted back to W1 in preservation.

W2/SW2

[edit]
A W2-class tram overloaded with passengers on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy North in 1944

The W2-class was introduced in 1927 and remained in service until its final withdrawal in mid-1987.

The 406-strong class was the backbone of the MMTB's vast fleet during their heyday from the 1940s to 1960s. Most class members had been converted from the earlier W and W1-classes. The trams featured two enclosed saloon areas at either end of the tram and an open "drop-centre" section in the middle. A trademark feature of these vehicles until the 1970s was their uncomfortable wooden bench-style seats, a feature they shared with most other Melbourne trams of that period.

Mechanically, they had four under-floor motors powering two sets of the MMTB's "number one" bogies. The driver's controls were made by Westinghouse, Dick Kerr controllers, and Clyde Engineering controllers. The W2-class also had many variant gears within the tram bogies, the spur-geared W2 classes were notable due to their humming sound.

Two of the W2-class had their roller blind doors converted to sliding doors and were reclassed SW2. Four W1-class were converted directly to SW2-class.

Towards the end of their useful lives, many class members were converted to service (non-passenger) stock such as carborundum rail scrubbers, permanent-way vehicles, railgrinders and breakdown units. A large number of units were also sold to museums and public transport operators in Australia and around the world, with some still running today.

From 1978 until 1982 many W2s were painted by well-known Australian Artists as part of the "Transporting Art" program. In 1981 W2 442 was converted for use with the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, entering service in November 1982.[45][46] The last W2 to run in regular service in Melbourne ran in December 1987 on route 93 La Trobe Street to Bundoora, although a small number were used well into the early 1990s during extended tram shortages. No.442 was used by the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant until 2006 when it was withdrawn.[47]

While the majority of W2 class trams were sold to private owners or overseas, 26 W2 and 5 SW2 class trams are preserved by heritage tramways in Australia and New Zealand.

W3

[edit]
Preserved W3 661 in original livery at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat in March 2011

The W3-class trams were built between 1930 and 1934. These were the first trams to use an all steel frame.[48] There were 16 trams built at Preston Workshops.[49] They were built from parts and equipment which had been intended for building Y1-class trams.[50]: 32  They had larger wheels, 33 inches (838 mm) in diameter, which were designed to provide a smoother and quieter ride.[49] These wheels came from scrapped S and T class trams.[50]: 32  These larger wheels made the tram body sit higher, and the floors in the drop centre were ramped to reduce the step into the saloon.[50]: 32 

During the 1960s the trams developed cracks in the frame which held the motors and all were withdrawn from service by 1969.[49]

Four W3 trams (661, 663, 667, 668) are preserved by heritage organisations.[51] Preserved car W3 661 was damaged in an accident involving a motor vehicle on 10 March 2019 in Ballarat. The damage from the accident means that the tram requires extensive repairs to the frame and body.[citation needed]

W4

[edit]
Preserved W4 671 in advertising livery in Ballarat in December 2012

There were five W4-class trams built between 1933 and 1935. They had a wider body and lower floor than the W3, and had transverse seating in the saloon. They were all withdrawn by 1968.[52] The wider body of the tram meant the drivers found it difficult to see the steps.[50]: 33 

Four W4 trams (670, 671, 673 and 674) are preserved by heritage tramways in Australia.[53]

CW5/W5/SW5

[edit]
SW5 728 in advertising livery on the corner of Flinders & Market Streets in 2007

Five CW5-class trams, numbered 681 to 685, were built at the Preston Workshops in 1934/35. They had wider bodies, based on the previous W4-class, but utilised electrical equipment recovered from scrapped Maximum Traction C class trams (hence the "C" prefix). They were the only W-class trams with only 2 motors (instead of 4), and were not considered successful. Fleet numbers 686 to 719 were reserved for 34 more of the type using equipment from the remaining C-class trams, but no more were constructed, and all CW5s were converted to standard W5-class trams in 1956.

In 1935, the first of 120 W5-class trams entered service, with the same body as a CW5-class tram, but were equipped with equal-wheel, 4-motor bogies based on those used on the W3- and W4-class trams. Production continued until 1939 and included five CW5-class trams under construction being converted before release to traffic. Many of these W5-class trams were allocated to Essendon and (the new) Brunswick depots as a result of the mid-1930s conversion of the Elizabeth Street cable trams to electric traction. Most cars numbered above 800 had "swept corner" windscreens. From the early 1970s, many cars had their little-used, narrow centre doorways panelled-over, and most had their original windshields replaced with SW6-class types, which had "swept corners" with half-drop side windows, but not all of them received the deeper fascia.

During construction in 1939, the last ten W5-class trams were modified with sliding doors, like as the first of the SW6-class trams which was being built at the same time. They also had metal-framed, full-drop saloon windows with quarter lights. In 1956, W5-class trams 785 and 787 were converted to SW5-class (type 2), following accident damage. Parts from the cancelled order for more W7-class trams were used in the repairs, and the two cars featured half-drop saloon windows, with quarter lights.

An additional 83 W5-class trams were converted to SW5-class (type 3) trams between 1983 and 1986. They were fitted with aluminium sliding doors, but retained their original wooden-framed, full-drop windows.

Apart from those severely damaged in accidents, the first W5 was withdrawn in 1987, and the last in 1994. During the mass withdrawal of W-class trams in 1994–96, the majority of SW5-class trams were retired in preference to the higher numbered trams, ostensibly due to the discovery of asbestos in the controllers.

As of January 2020, there were no SW5 or W5 trams remaining in service, with the majority stored.[54][55] However, nine W5 and three SW5 trams are preserved with heritage tramways in Australia and New Zealand, including a fully restored W5, number 774, on display at Hawthorn Depot.

Fleet numbers

[edit]
  • CW5 converted to W5: 681 – 685
  • Built as W5: 720 – 839
  • Built as SW5: 840 – 849
  • W5 converted to SW5: 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

W6/SW6

[edit]
W6 983 on route 30 on Victoria Parade in October 2004

The SW6-class were introduced in 1939 and were followed by the W6-class which were produced between 1951 and 1955, 150 were built in total. At their introduction, W6-class trams were popular with passengers and crew alike for being fast, smooth and comfortable. The cab controls are the same as of other W-class trams. The first 40 had flip-over wooden seats in the end saloons, the remainder having upholstered bus seats. All had wooden seats in the centre saloon until the 1970s when the entire class was refurbished with upholstered seats throughout.

W6-class trams initially begun as a sub group of the SW6-class trams, but later became their own class. The W6 differed from the SW6 in having quieter wheels and gears plus additional soundproofing.

As of June 2020, no trams are operational in original condition with Yarra Trams, with all of them being converted into W8 trams or stored.[56][57] Two W6 and twelve SW6 trams are in the hands of preservation groups, one of which is used as a café tram in Bendigo. Two SW6 trams had been converted and installed at shelters in Wattle Park in eastern Melbourne.[58] Three SW6-class trams also operated on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service.

W7

[edit]
W7. 1029 at the Ballarat Tramway Museum

Forty W7-class trams were built in 1955/56 for operation on new Bourke Street routes (routes 86 and 96).[59][60] Originally 70 were ordered but the number was cut to 40 following a change of government at the 1955 state election. They were very similar to the preceding W6-class, but with upholstered seats throughout.[61] Thirteen had their frames built by Ansair. As of January 2020, none remained in service with Yarra Trams.[62] Six W7 class trams are preserved by heritage groups in Australia and New Zealand.

W8

[edit]
W8.983 along Victoria Parade.

SW6 922 was partly modernised at Preston Workshops in 1993. It was to be a prototype for rebuilding the remaining SW6 fleet with air conditioning, roller bearings, modern head and tail lights, fluorescent interior lighting, dot-matrix display and pantograph using many of the same components as used in the A2 and B2 class trams. It was designated the W8 class and renumbered 1101. The rebuild radically altered the appearance of the tram and the National Trust ordered the conversion be suspended before completion.[50]: 89 

Four (946, 957, 959 and 1010) were subsequently modernised from 2012 and designated the W8-class. The upgrades include improved traction motors, suspension and braking, improved crashworthiness and LED lighting, while retaining the general appearance of the original SW6 and W7s.[22][63]

Since 2018, W8 trams are the only W classes to have current safety accreditation to run on YarraTram's network.

Currently, there are 13 W8 trams in service, along with one stored after several days of operation, and several currently under conversion.[64] About 25 older W class trams are stored by YarraTrams, awaiting future W8 conversion.

Subclass summary

[edit]
W Type Total built Known scrapped Stored in depots Converted to other class Preserved With Yarra Trams Other interstate Overseas Given to local community Notes
W 200 0 0 200 2 0 0 0 0 2 Converted back from W2 class
W1 30 0 0 30 2 0 0 0 0 2 Converted back from W2 class
W2 406 71 0 7 22 0 28 36 236 2 converted back to W class, 2 to W1 class, 1 to works tram. 6 unaccounted for
W3 16 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 8
W4 5 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0
CW5 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
W5 125 2 3 85 5 0 2 6 16 6 unaccounted for
SW2 6 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 unaccounted for
SW5 95 4 49 0 6 0 4 0 27 5 unaccounted for
SW6 120 10 39 8 11 0 5 5 33 9 unaccounted for
W6 30 0 14 3 3 0 2 0 7 1 unaccounted for
W7 40 2 14 1 10 0 1 0 12
W8 12 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0
Total 756 95 119 339 71 12 42 49 339 1 converted to works tram. 28 unaccounted for

List of preserved W-class trams

[edit]

Preservation groups

[edit]
W type Ballarat Bendigo Bylands Haddon Hawthorn South Australia Sydney Perth MOTAT, NZ Notes
W - - 1 - 1 - - - -
W1 - - 1 - 1 - - - -
W2 1 2 5 2 2 2 3 4 1
W3 1 - 1 2 - - - - -
W4 1 - 1 1 - - - 1 -
CW5 - - - - - - - - - All were converted to W5 class
W5 - - 2 1 1 - - 1 -
SW2 - - 1 - - - - 1 -
SW5 3 1 2 1 - - 1 2 -
SW6 5 2 2 - - - - 1 4
W6 - - 1 - - - - 1 -
W7 4 - 1 - 1 1 1 2 1
W8 - - - - - - - - - All still in service with

Yarra Trams

Total 10 5 18 7 6 3 5 11 6
W-class trams preserved with Australian and New Zealand Heritage Groups
Class Number Location Comments
W 220 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Under restoration to original condition
W2 245 Sydney Tramway Museum Stored
W2 249 Sydney Tramway Museum Was in a livery for a proposed Canberra system[65]
W2 294 Tramway Museum, St Kilda, Adelaide In operational condition[66][67]
W2 321 Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
W2 325 Hawthorn depot Has been converted to a driver training tram, thus is permanently immobile and housed at Hawthorn tram depot[68]
W2 329 Perth Electric Tramway Society In operational condition[69]
W2 354 Tramway Museum, St Kilda, Adelaide Used as a works tram[66][67]
W2 357 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [70]
W2 368 Perth Electric Tramway Society In need of restoration[69]
W 380 Hawthorn depot Part of the Melbourne historic tram fleet, was reconverted from a W2-series tram in 1988 at Preston Workshops.[71]
W2 393 Perth Electric Tramway Society In operational condition[69]
W2 407 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [72]
W2 421 Bendigo Tramway Rebuilt back from W2, renumbered Bendigo 31[73]
SW2 426 Perth Electric Tramway Society In operational condition[69]
W1 427 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Reconverted from a W2-series tram in 1988 at Preston Workshops courtesy of a Victorian Government grant to celebrate 100 years of trams in Melbourne[74]
W1 431 Hawthorn depot Part of the Melbourne historic tram fleet, was reconverted from a W2-series tram in 1988 at Preston Workshops[75]
W2 441 Perth Electric Tramway Society On loan from Bendigo Tramway and in operational condition[69][76]
W2 456 Bendigo Tramway In storage[76]
W2 504 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
W2 509 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria
W2 510 Hawthorn depot Part of the Melbourne historic tram fleet[77]
W2 568 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W2 600 Sydney Tramway Museum [74]
W2 643 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW2 644 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria
W2 646 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W2 650 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W3 656 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association
W3 661 Ballarat Tramway Museum [78] In operational condition
W3 663 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [49]
W3 667 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W4 670 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [79]
W4 671 Ballarat Tramway Museum [80] In operational condition
W4 673 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W4 674 Perth Electric Tramway Society In operational condition[69]
SW5 681 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored Bungaree
SW5 729 Perth Electric Tramway Society To be returned to service.
SW5 739 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW5 749 Perth Electric Tramway Society To be returned to service.
W5 766 Perth Electric Tramway Society In need of restoration[69]
W5 774 Hawthorn depot [81]
W5 782 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W5 792 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [74]
W5 795 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW5 808 Bendigo Tramway [73]
SW5 810 Sydney Tramway Museum Stored
SW5 829 Ballarat Tramway Museum Lin Onus (Yorta Yorta) Art Tram, Stored.
SW5 836 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
SW5 840 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW5 849 Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association [82]
SW6 855 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
SW6 857 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
SW6 866 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
SW6 880 Bendigo Tramway [73]
SW6 887 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW6 891 Perth Electric Tramway Society, Western Australia
SW6 893 Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
SW6 902 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
SW6 906 Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
SW6 918 Bendigo Tramway Renumbered Bendigo 34[73]
SW6 922 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Static without Bogies. Is to become the museums picnic tram.
SW6 924 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored
SW6 939 Ballarat Tramway Museum Used as a cafe/special function vehicle, named as "Cuthberts 939"
W6 996 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W6 998 Perth Electric Tramway Society, Western Australia
W7 1001 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria [74]
W7 1012 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored at Offsite Storage.
W7 1013 Tramway Museum, St Kilda, Adelaide In operational condition[66]
W7 1017 Perth Electric Tramway Society In operational condition[69]
W7 1023 Perth Electric Tramway Society, Western Australia
W7 1029 Ballarat Tramway Museum After a long restoration to become a multipurpose tram which includes disabled access, it officially entered service in November 2023.
W7 1031 Ballarat Tramway Museum Stored at Offsite Storage.
W7 1032 Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
W7 1036 Sydney Tramway Museum Stored
W7 1039 Ballarat Tramway Museum
W7 1040 Hawthorn depot Last W-class built[83]

Other preserved

[edit]
W-class trams preserved in Australia and New Zealand
Class Number Location Comments
W1 432 - Sydney Tramway Museum.[74] Destroyed in fire 23 October 2015
W2 221 Irishtown Body located at private property along with W2 433 & W2 565. All three in poor condition.
W2 283 Blackburn Body privately owned in Blackburn.
W2 293 Bruthen
W2 315 Magic Mountain Merimbula Used as a Kiosk at Magic Mountain Merimbula, NSW.
W2 323 Trafalgar Holden Museum [74] Located Trafalgar Holden Museum Victoria
W2 370 - Sydney Tramway Museum.[67] To Glenreagh Mountain Railway. Scrapped
W2 379 Methodist Ladies' College, Kew Painted in a colourful artwork.
W2 388 Windsor Hotel Perth Front half of tram is located outside the building. The opposite side of road is located WA B Class No 15.
W2 410 Lauriston, Victoria Converted into a Bed & Breakfast. Partly destroyed by a tree after a storm in 2021.
W2 429 Gosnells, Western Australia A part of the Gosnells Hotel.
W2 433 Irishtown Body located at private property along with W2 565 & W2 221. All three in poor condition.
W2 438 Yuroke
W2 444 Albion Hotel in Cottesloe Located inside of the Albion Hotel at Cottesloe.
W2 447 ? Sydney Tramway Museum.[74] Sold 15 November 2015
W2 470 Bendigo? Formerly owned by Bendigo Tramways, now privately owned. [74]
W2 472 Dixons Creek Located at Fergusson Winery & Restaurant as private accommodation.
W2 475 Cremorne Street, Cremorne, VIC 3121 Was located at a farm along Research-Warrandyte Road, Victoria. Moved to Cremorne Street sometime prior to August 2020.
W2 477 Sunraysia Being converted to BnB.
W2 487 Tarnagulla
W2 522 Tramway Museum Society of Victoria? [74]
W2 529 Drysdale, Victoria Plinthed just outside of Drysdale, it is visible from the road.
W2 556 The Crooked Carrot Café near Perth, Western Australia Only half of the tram exists, plinthed with SW6 942. [84]
W2 563 Corop Moved from Newbridge to Corop Sculpture Park in June 2024.
W2 565 Irishtown Body located at private property along with W2 433 & W2 221. All three in poor condition.
W2 584 Broadford Body located at a property in Broadford.
W2 590 Wallaroo Used as accommodation at Last Stop Ambledown Brook Near Wallaroo. [85]
W2 604 Private Body located at a property in Benella.
W2 608 Private Used as accommodation in Krowera, Victoria.
W2 609 Chewton
W2 638 Private Body privately owned in Daylesford.
W2 649 Mount Isa Located inside the Mount Isa Irish Club in Mount Isa, Queensland. Painted in a colourful red livery.
W2 653 Private Plinthed at property on Bellarine Peninsula with another classmate.
SW2 275 Clyde Grammar, Clyde Renumbered Bendigo 33.[73] Sold to Clyde Grammar and plinthed near school entrance.
SW2 432 - Sydney Tramway Museum. Destroyed in an arson attack in October 2015[86]
SW2 436 North of Auckland, New Zealand Privately owned, was converted from a W1-class tram to SW2-class in 1938. Previously Masterton, New Zealand. Restored in M&MTB green and cream as private accommodation.
W3 655 Gruyere, Victoria
W3 657 Campbellfield, Victoria
W3 659 Lake Eildon, Victoria
W3 660 Berwick, Victoria
W3 664 Boolarra, Victoria
W3 665 Wallan, Victoria
W3 666 Woolert, Victoria
W3 669 Mangrove Mountain, NSW
W5 684 Victorian Railway Workshops Art and Antiques, Seymour, Victoria
W5 685 Liston Transport Heritage Park, NSW. Noted as being located Eveleigh, NSW
SW5 725 Coburg Primary School, Coburg, Victoria
SW5 728 Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Victoria
SW5 730 Tara B&B, Guildford, Victoria
SW5 732 Mansfield Zoo, Mansfield, Victoria Converted to a Cafe for visitors to purchase food and drinks from.
SW5 733 Our Friends Farm, Tallarook, Victoria Repurposed as Accommodation, Giftshop, and bar along with SW6 920 & 955.
SW5 734 Casey Grammar School, Cranbourne, Victoria
SW5 736 ?? Tram spotted along Yale Drive, Epping on the 19/11/24. Location not known.
SW5 737 Shepparton, Victoria
SW5 742 Riverbend Park, Launceston, Tasmania Tram was to be delivered to the park but was apparently cancelled due to asbestos concerns.
SW5 745 The Oaks Lilydale, Lilydale, Victoria Launched as a BnB after an 18-month transformation. Original seating retained as a lounge area.
SW5 750 Victorian Railway Workshops Art and Antiques, Seymour, Victoria
SW5 755 Chatham Primary School, Chatham, Victoria Tram is listed on Victrack Website, though does not appear to be on school site.
SW5 757 Balcombe Grammar School, Mount Martha, Victoria
W5 761 Don Watson Transport, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria Plinthed near Don Watson Transport just outside of Bacchus Marsh.
W5 762 Sydney Tramway Museum? [74]
SW5 764 William Angliss Institute, Melbourne, Vic Transported to William Angliss Institute in November 2022. [87]
SW5 767 Spit Shack, Canberra, ACT Used for dining purposes.
SW5 768 Deer Park North Primary School, Deer Park North, Victoria Tram is currently located at Bendigo to be delivered to the school site.
SW5 770 Riverbend Park, Launceston, Tasmania Tram was to be delivered to the park but was apparently canceled due to asbestos concerns.
SW5 775 Jennings Street School, Laverton, Victoria Tram is listed on Victrack Website, though does not appear to be on school site.
W5 778 Newton, Victoria
W5 779 Poowong, Victoria
SW5 787 Campbellfield Located at Eye Kandy Productions in Campbellfield.
SW5 788 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW5 789 Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery, Cororooke, Victoria
SW5 790 Edgars Mission, Lancefield, Victoria
SW5 791 Port Melbourne Primary School, Port Melbourne, Victoria
SW5 793 Edgars Mission, Lancefield, Victoria
W5 794 Withers Holiday Village, Lakes Entrance, Victoria
W5 801 Koondrook, Victoria
W5 804 Fawkner, Victoria
SW5 805 Bendigo Artists, Bendigo, Victoria
SW5 807 Mt Perry Men's Shed Association, Mount Perry, Queensland
SW5 812 Diamond Creek Rotary, Diamond Creek, Victoria Fully restored. A Tram Cafe opened in October 2020. Acquired from the Victorian State Government after a successful application by the Rotary Club of Diamond Creek, Diamond Creek CFA, Diamond Creek Men's Shed and Nillumbik Shire Council. The cafe also features a large deck and pergola and state of the art playground. Araluen, a disability support service in Diamond Creek run the cafe three days a week.[88]
SW5 815 Grange Junction Café, Glen Huntly, Victoria
W5 817 Templestowe, Victoria
SW5 818 Corryong Historic Machinery Society, Corryong, Victoria
SW5 819 Michael Unwin Wines Windermere, Victoria Being worked on to become a prominent feature of the winery, to become a function space. It is missing its bogies.
W5 822 Lancefield, Victoria
W5 825 Queanbeyan, NSW
W5 827 Reservoir, Victoria
SW5 830 Benetook Farm, Mildura, Victoria
W5 833 Big 4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park, Healesville, Victoria
SW5 834 Bairnsdale Workers' Accommodation in Lucknow
SW5 837 Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria
SW5 838 Parsons Gully Heathcote Winery, Heathcote, Victoria
SW5 841 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW5 845 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW5 847 Taradale Primary School, Taradale, Victoria
SW6 851 CFA Training Center, Fiskville, Victoria
SW6 854 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 861 Wattle Park, Burwood, Victoria Replacement for number 885 since 2013 after the latter was burnt down in December 2011[58]
SW6 865 Clunes Community Gardens, Clunes, Victoria
SW6 867 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 868 Alice Miller School, Macedon, Victoria Converted into a recording studio and internet radio station for students.
SW6 871 Terang RSL, Terang, Victoria Cosmetically Restored as a World War 2 tribute for veterans.
SW6 874 Wallace Hotel, Wallace, Victoria
SW6 877 Bighouse Arts, Coburg North, Victoria
SW6 878 St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Altona, Victoria Delivered to the school in July 2023.
SW6 879 Dilato Investments, Melbourne, Victoria Was at Clunes Bottle Museum
SW6 882 Sarah Thomas BnB, Penola, South Australia
SW6 883 Ballarat, Victoria? Was formerly at Mount Clear Primary School but has moved from location.
SW6 884 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 885 Wattle Park, Burwood, Victoria Destroyed in a fire in December 2011[58]
SW6 889 Main Ridge Alpacas, Red Hill, Victoria
SW6 894 Tell Tales Bed & Breakfast, Creswick, Victoria Formerly at the Acorn Bar and Restaurant. Listed for sale on Facebook in June 2023 and moved on the 21st of September 2023.
SW6 896 Corop Delivered to Corop Sculpture Park on 26th September 2024.
SW6 897 Tamana Farm B&B Formerly at Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society.
SW6 903 Highfields Pioneer Village Highfields, Queensland
SW6 904 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 905 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 907 Channel 10, Forest Hill, Victoria A static set for the soap opera Neighbours.[89][90]
SW6 908 Bungaree, Victoria
SW6 910 Axedale, Victoria
SW6 911 Terindah Estate, Bellarine, Victoria Converted to a function area giving guests a unique dining experience.
SW6 912 Big 4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park, Healesville, Victoria
SW6 913 Mark McWhinney NSW Tram Museum??, in Sydney Noted as being located Bexley, NSW
SW6 914 1/2 Arce Coffee Lounge and Nursery Howlong, NSW
SW6 915 Taxibox Group Braeside, VIC
SW6 917 Torquay Brewery, Torquay, Victoria
SW6 920 Our Friends Farm, Tallarook, Victoria Repurposed as Accommodation, Giftshop, and bar along with SW5 733 & SW6 955.
SW6 921 Kangaroo Ground, Victoria Formerly at Newstead.
SW6 927 Mount Evelyn Garden Centre, Mount Evelyn, Victoria
SW6 933 Newstead, Victoria
SW6 935 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 936 Wattle Park, Burwood, Victoria
SW6 937 Pepper Green Farm, Bendigo, Victoria Cafe
SW6 938 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 941 Near Ballarat, Victoria Privately owned
SW6 942 The Crooked Carrot Cafe, Myalup, Western Australia Plinthed with half of W2 556.
SW6 951 Ballarat, Victoria Privately owned at a property outside of Ballarat.
SW6 953 Kinglake, Victoria Formerly at Yarram Club Hotel. Will apparently going to a BnB in Kinglake?
SW6 955 Our Friends Farm, Tallarook, Victoria Repurposed as Accommodation, Giftshop, and bar along with SW5 733 & SW6 920.
SW6 956 Fitzroy High School, Fitzroy, Victoria Painted in an aboriginal livery. Tram is used as a re-engagement program for students.
SW6 958 Corop SW6.958 delivered to Corop Sculpture Park on 25th September 2024.
SW6 962 Nambour, Queensland
SW6 963 Near Bendigo, Victoria Privately owned
SW6 964 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 967 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
SW6 968 Essendon Traffic School, Essendon, Victoria
SW6 969 Vintage Garage, Preston, Victoria Formerly used at the Arts Centre, now located near Newman Reserve and the Preston Depot.
W6 970 Corop W6.970 delivered to Corop Sculpture Park on 25th September 2024. [91]
W6 973 Riverview Farm, Tatong, Victoria
W6 974 Quealy Winemakers, Balnarring, Victoria
W6 975 ?, Tasmania Located somewhere in Tasmania
W6 976 Montrose Located at Mr Hummer Limos Montrose
W6 978 Impiana Estate, Skenes Creek, Victoria
W6 985 Taxibox Group Braeside, VIC
W6 986 The Wattle Point Farm, Wattle Point, Victoria
W6 989 Boisdale
W6 992 St Louis de Montfort's School, Aspendale, Victoria
W6 993 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
W6 995 Houn Valley Independent School Association - Peregrine School, Nicholls Rivulet, Tasmania Used for school catering & functions.
W6 999 Sunbury United Sporting Club, Sunbury, Victoria
W7 1002 Links Community Garden, Lalor, Victoria Used to welcome visitors and showcase Victoria's history.
W7 1004 Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages, Cooran, Queensland
W7 1005 Benton Rise Farm, Tuerong, Victoria Plinthed alongside Tait (train) Motor Car 256M.
W7 1006 Altona Miniature Railway, Altona, Victoria Has traction motors but is missing trolley polls and control stands. Roof was installed over the tram in June 2024.
W7 1007 Koko Black? W7.1007 loaded on a semi-trailer on 25th July 2024 to unknown location.[92]
W7 1009 Bega Cheese Factory, Port Melbourne, Victoria
W7 1011 Luna Park, Melbourne, St Kilda, Victoria Was donated to Luna Park for use as a party tram.
W7 1014 Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society, Gisborne, Victoria Still fitted with AGC Finance advertising and has an operational bell, painted in blue colour.
W7 1020 Bendigo Tramway Currently stored in the Bendigo extension.
W7 1026 Mansfield, Victoria To be restored for Mount Buller Alpine Resort Chalet
W7 1033 Hounds Run Vineyard, Great Western, Victoria
W7 1035 Lot 19 Gallery Arts Collective, Castlemaine, Victoria
W7 1038 Grill'd, ? Grill'd location not listed

Overseas

[edit]
W-class trams exported overseas
Class Number Location Comments
W2 234 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[93]
W2 244 Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch, New Zealand Owned by the Heritage Tramway Trust, the commercial arm of the Tramway Historical Society Operating on the Christchurch City Tramway.
W2 272 Arlington, Washington, USA Formerly used in Seattle (Waterfront Streetcar line), 1990–2005; now in storage in Arlington, Washington awaiting possible developments for return to service.
W2 321 MOTAT Located MOTAT Auckland, New Zealand. Restored to mid 1970s configuration.
W2 331 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley, renumbered 455, ex-New Orleans[93] (Riverfront Streetcar Line)
W2 336 Iowa, USA
W2 353 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley, renumbered 1978[93]
W2 369 Dallas, Texas, USA Operates along McKinney Avenue M-Line, nicknamed Matilda[94]
W2 392 Thailand [67] To Thailand Jun 2018
W2 403 San Jose, California, USA Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
W2 411 Christchurch, New Zealand Restored as a restaurant tram for use on the Christchurch Tramway but was stored in the city tram barn after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Returned to service in late 2013.
W2 417 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[93]
SW2 478 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley, renumbered 454, ex-New Orleans[93] (Riverfront Streetcar Line)
W2 482 St Louis, Missouri, USA Formerly used in Seattle (Waterfront Streetcar line), 1982–2005; later taken to St. Louis and put in indefinite storage for potential future restoration and use.
W2 496 San Francisco, California, USA Used in regular service on F Market & Wharves line[95]
W2 497 Iowa, USA
W2 503 Memphis, Tennessee, USA
W2 512 St Louis, Missouri, USA Planned to be used in service as Loop Trolley No. 003, St. Louis, Missouri; previously used in Seattle (Waterfront Streetcar line), 1982–2005
W2 518 St Louis, Missouri, USA Formerly in use in Seattle (Waterfront Streetcar line), 1982–2005; later taken to St. Louis and put in indefinite storage for potential future restoration and use.
W2 520 Woodside, Old Windsor, Berkshire, UK Purchased by Elton John in the 1980s
W2 525 Arlington, Washington, USA Formerly used as spares in Seattle, now in storage in Arlington, Washington awaiting possible developments for return to service.
W2 531 San Jose, California, USA Operates on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority historic trolley line[96][97]
W2 533 Iowa, USA
W2 539 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[93]
W2 540 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[93]
W2 545 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[93]
W2 551 Iowa, USA
W2 553 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Destroyed by fire on 7 April 2014 [98]
W2 567 Iowa, USA
W2 586 San Francisco, California, USA
W2 601 Chisholm, Minnesota, USA Used at the Minnesota Discovery Center[99][100]
W2 605 Arlington, Washington, USA Formerly used in Seattle (Waterfront Streetcar line); 1993–2005; now in storage in Arlington, Washington awaiting possible developments for return to service.
W2 606 Chisholm, Minnesota, USA Used at the Minnesota Discovery Center [99][100]
W2 626 Memphis, Tennessee, USA Used in regular service on MATA Trolley, renumbered 452, ex-New Orleans[93] (Riverfront Streetcar Line)
W2 630 Iowa, USA
W2 648 Rio Vista, California, USA Preserved in operational condition at Western Railway Museum;[101] operated in San Francisco during the Historic Trolley Festivals of the 1980s
W5 735 ?, USA
W5 751 Iowa, USA
W5 756 Savannah, Georgia, USA Was used on the River Street Streetcar, now located at the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Electric motors are powered by a generator and battery hybrid drive[102]
W5 771 ?, USA
W5 799 Memphis, Tennessee Used in regular service on MATA Trolley[103]
W5 839 Iowa, USA
SW6 852 Auckland Dockline Tramway, Auckland, New Zealand [104] Owned by MOTAT. Under overhaul.
SW6 881 Auckland Dockline Tramway, Auckland, New Zealand [104] Owned by MOTAT Unique colour scheme. Operational.
SW6 893 MOTAT Located MOTAT Auckland, New Zealand. PTC configuration. Operational.
SW6 906 MOTAT Located MOTAT Auckland, New Zealand. Unique colour scheme. Operational.
SW6 916 San Francisco, California, USA Used in regular service on F Market & Wharves line[105]
SW6 930 Edmonton Radial Railway Society, Edmonton, Canada Used on High Level Bridge Streetcar line during the summer[29]
SW6 965 Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum, Denmark Owned by HRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary
W7 1032 MOTAT Located MOTAT Auckland, New Zealand. PTC configuration. Stored pending overhaul.

References

[edit]
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