Melbourne Trams

[ozbob]

Twitter

PT Not Traffic ‏@PTNotTraffic 1m

.@UrbanMelbourne on the consequences of free city trams https://urban.melbourne/transport/2015/02/04/less-is-not-more-why-free-trams-are-not-our-friend ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Commuter disruption rolls on as tram drivers prepare to strike again

[ozbob]

[colinw]

ABC News --> National Trust campaigns to keep W-Class tram on rails as new sports facility coffee tram proposed

How about getting some for the Gold Coast? A heritage tram is a nice gimmick.

Its doable.  A 100 year old D class modified to run on 750V DC has been used as a track cleaning vehicle in Sydney.


Personally I'd love to see a "W" or Brisbane "Phoenix" rattle through Southport & Surfers, if only to annoy the "we hate trams" minority down there. But that's foam. 

[SurfRail]

^ As I understand it the scrubber car ran very hot.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> There is set to be four more tram strikes in Melbourne next week

[ozbob]

http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2015/restored-w-class-tram-enters-service/

Restored W-Class tram enters service
18 September, 2015

A third refurbished W-Class tram entered service on the City Circle route today, restored to its former glory but adding modern safety equipment and passenger comfort.

The popular City Circle has around 3.3 million passenger trips each year. These passengers will experience the trams of yesteryear, with modern comforts.

Yarra Trams is restoring four W-Class trams as part of the $8 million project, which brings the trams as close to their original appearance as possible.

Christopher Stinchcombe, Yarra Trams' Director, Rolling Stock, said: "We're proud to see the tram back in service for millions of Melburnians and tourists to enjoy on the popular City Circle route.

"The tram has been restored as close as possible to its original appearance, while improving performance along with driver and passenger safety."

The work extends beyond what people can see and includes detailed engineering, safety and structural work to bring them up to modern standards of safety, reliability, passenger comfort and maintainability.

Each restoration is a complex undertaking, where the tram is stripped down and rebuilt.

This upgrade creates a new class of tram, the W8.

"The amount of work that has gone into creating these restored trams should not be underestimated, because they are essentially a new tram just like the next generation E-Class," said Mr Stinchcombe.

The Yarra Trams project team at Preston Workshops managed the restoration, which was undertaken at the Bendigo Tramways Depot. This included:

    painting and restoring the livery to its original green and gold splendour
    restoring the original seating

    placement of the heritage logo of the Melbourne Metropolitan Tramways Board on internal glass panels
    installing a new PA and passenger information system
    installing an improved traction system, which is the 'engine' that drives the tram
    replacement of electrical systems within the driver's cabin with 24-volt to improve safety
    using LED lighting for headlamps and brake lights to improve visibility.

The tram has been at Preston Workshops undergoing network testing prior to entering service.

"Tourists can now experience a trip on this historic Melbourne icon, while enjoying the comfort and safety of a new tram," said Mr Stinchcombe.

The iconic trams were originally designed back in the 1920s as the 'standard' tram for Melbourne. 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Adam Carey ‏@adamlcarey 4m

Threat of tram strikes is over: @yarratrams and @RTBUnion have reached a deal. 14% over 4 yrs + two payments that = 3% @theage story soon

[ozbob]

17 Sep 2015

Restored W-Class tram rolls out of Southbank depot

The third restored W-Class tram rolled out of Southbank depot today. It will service the City Circle (Route 35) route around Melbourne CBD. The restoration has been undertaken by Yarra Trams.
For more info, see ptv.vic.gov.au/about-ptv/media-centre/me­dia-releases/restored-w-class-tram-enter­s-service/

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/free-tram-zone-extended-for-footy-final-celebrations

Free Tram Zone Extended For Footy Final Celebrations

Monday 28 September 2015

Minister for Public Transport

Melbourne's Free Tram Zone will be extended to stops near the MCG for four days, making it easier and cheaper to enjoy all that the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final Week has to offer.

Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, joined General Manager – Clubs & AFL Operations, Travis Auld, today to announce that services from the CBD to stops 9, 10 and 11 on Wellington Street near the 'G' would be free from Wednesday morning to midnight on Grand Final day.

The Free Tram Zone will also be extended to stops 7a and 7b at Rod Laver and stop 7c at MCG/Hisense Arena on the other side of the MCG to get fans from the city to the footy free of charge.

The extended Free Tram Zone will coincide with the free Foxtel Footy Festival, running from Wednesday 30 September to Saturday 3 October.

The centrepiece of the festival is the free Live Site at Yarra Park, that will host the Kids Zone, musicians, interactive displays and activities, media identities and giveaways, and is the end point for this year's Grand Final Parade.

On Grand Final Friday and Saturday, train, tram and bus services will operate to a Saturday timetable, with additional metropolitan and V/Line services. Fares on both days will be capped at $6 for travel across all modes in Melbourne.

For maps, further details, and to plan your journey this week, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight daily).

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Grand final week is one of Victoria's great celebrations, with thousands of fans from across Australia descending on Melbourne to see the biggest match of the year at the home of footy."

"Extending the Free Tram Zone will get people from the city to the MCG free of charge, making it easier to enjoy the Grand Final and Victoria's newest public holiday."

Quotes attributable to General Manager – Clubs & AFL Operations, Travis Auld

"This is a fantastic outcome for AFL supporters and members.  I thank the Victorian Government for their assistance in making it easy for the public to come and enjoy the free entertainment at Foxtel Footy Festival."

"From Wednesday to Saturday, fans can participate in Grand Final celebrations and activities, with free movies, kids entertainment and great food on site at Yarra Park, outside Gate 3 at the MCG."

"Extending the free tram zone certainly helps our fans."

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[SurfRail]

Extending the FTZ to Bundoora and Vermont South would also make the system easier to use - for everybody!

[ozbob]

Some locals already think they are FTZ!   

[red dragin]

Probably easier than trying to enforce tickets. 

We may have forgotten to purchase them one year when we where at the GF.... mind you the tram was so crowded.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Yarra Trams ‏@yarratrams 11m

Only in #Melbourne 😍 W-Class dog on the City Circle #instatram #tuesday #yarratrams 🚃



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[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Yarra Trams starts emergency maintenance after tram derailment and collision

Thirty-six Melbourne trams are being taken off the rails temporarily, in an emergency measure by Yarra Trams after a serious derailment in Mont Albert on Tuesday.

A C-Class tram was travelling on route 109 from the Kew depot into the city when it derailed at the corner of Whitehorse Road and Union Street about 11am. It crashed into three parked cars.

The tram lost a wheel in the derailment but it is not yet known if this was the cause of the incident.
Images from the scene, including the lost wheel, posted on Reddit.

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy said a full review was underway ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Melbourne's squeaky tram wheels get the oil

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Trams collide in Melbourne's CBD

[ozbob]

Twitter

Melb Tram Museum ‏@TramMuseum 22m

#onthisday 75 years ago: Melbourne's last cable tram ran in Bourke Street. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204388498 ...

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Expanding Bendigo tourist trams into wider commuter service not feasible study finds

[ozbob]

Twitter

Yarra Trams ‏@yarratrams 7m

Our #Melbourne #Monopoly tram was launched today!



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Twitter

PTV ‏@ptv_official 2h

#Melbourne has now become a life-size monopoly board! Look out for this special City Circle tram. #melbournemonopoly

[ozbob]

Heritage tram collection Hawthorn Depot

> http://hawthorntramdepot.org.au/trams/index.htm

[ozbob]

Yarra Trams --> tramTRACKER now in train stations

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Super-size my tram: 45-metre trams foreshadowed for Melbourne's busiest routes

Melbourne's future will be one in which giant trams almost as long as Olympic swimming pools glide along crowded inner city streets where tram tracks were first laid for streetcars no bigger than an ordinary bus.

The next generation of trams will be an imposing 45 metres in length - 12 metres longer than the new E-Class trams that are being steadily rolled out and more than three times longer than the old W-Class trams that still rattle around the city centre.

Built to carry about 300 passengers, the jumbo trams are part of Public Transport Victoria's future plans to handle rapid patronage growth on Melbourne's tram system, which is increasing at 3.6 per cent a year.

Exactly when they will hit the network is unclear, but PTV could easily pull the trigger on their introduction. E-Class trams have a modular design that can be extended by adding a fourth compartment to their current three ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/supersize-my-tram-45metre-trams-foreshadowed-for-melbournes-busiest-routes-20151120-gl3uoh.html

[ozbob]

PTV --> New E-Class trams

As part of the Tram Procurement Program, 50 next-generation E-Class low floor trams are being delivered to Melbourne's tram network. Customers are benefiting now with 23 new E-Class trams on Route 96, three on Route 11 and more new trams on the way.

The 2015-16 State Budget included $274 million for 20 new E-Class trams, taking the total order to 70, to be built in Dandenong. The Budget also included $21 million to refurbish the B-Class tram fleet.

More --> http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/new-e-class-trams/

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/20-new-e-class-trams-secures-hundreds-of-victorian-jobs

20 New E-Class Trams Secures Hundreds Of Victorian Jobs

Monday 23 November 2015

Minister for Public Transport

The Andrews Labor Government has placed the order for 20 E-Class trams, securing hundreds of Victorian jobs.

The new trams will be built by Dandenong train and tram manufacturer Bombardier, who is currently building 50 E-Class trams ordered by the Brumby Labor Government.

The former Liberal Government did not order a single tram in its four years in office, putting more than 500 jobs at Bombardier and related suppliers at risk.

The Labor Government's order of 20 extra E-Class trams provides certainty to these workers, and ensures there will be no changes to production levels at Bombardier for the next three years.

The last of the 50 original E-Classes ordered is due to enter service in May 2017, with the first of the next 20 expected on the network in June 2017. All 70 are expected to be in service by  late 2018.

The Labor Government's $274 million investment in 20 new E-Class trams was funded in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget and is part of Trains, Trams, Jobs 2015-2025, Labor's ten-year rolling stock strategy.

The Plan sets out a long term order book that will ensure the supply of new trains and trams keeps pace with patronage growth, and provides certainty to manufactures and workers in the local rolling stock industry, which employs up to 10,000 Victorians.

E-Class trams are the biggest, safest and most accessible on the network. Each tram can carry more than 200 passengers when full, and boast state-of-the-art audio and visual passenger information, air conditioning, improved safety features and dedicated spaces for passengers with mobility aids or prams.

The 30th E-Class tram will soon enter service on Route 11. E-Classes currently operate on Routes 11 and 96, but will gradually spread across the network as they roll off the production line at Bombardier and into service.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

"The 20 new E-Class trams will provide certainty for manufacturers, secure 500 local jobs and boost Melbourne's iconic tram network, to carry more people every single day."

"E-Classes are the biggest, safest and most accessible trams on the network. They are made in Melbourne, for Melbourne, and every single one of them has been ordered by a Labor Government."

"We are delivering bigger, better trains and trams, and getting on with the major public transport projects our network needs, like Melbourne Metro Rail and the removal of 50 dangerous and congested level crossings."

Quotes attributable to Yarra Trams CEO, Clément Michel

"Demand on Melbourne's tram network is forecast to grow significantly in coming years and we need these new trams to help keep the city moving.

"As E-Class trams enter service, larger trams with greater capacity and real-time passenger information are being cascaded onto lines where patronage or demand is greatest."

[ozbob]

Bendigo trams reached a significant milestone on 5th December 2015, 125 years!

Trams have been part of Bendigo since 1890 and 125 years on are still going strong.

>> https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Things_to_Do/Attractions_and_Events/Events_Calendar/125th_Anniversary_of_Trams_in_Bendigo#.VmNPbYG_NEY

Event details

Trams have been part of Bendigo since 1890 and 125 years on are still going strong. To celebrate and thank the Bendigo community for their ongoing support, we will be running a FREE 20 minute service on 5 December. Come on down and be part of the fun. Official proceedings will take place at the Tram Depot and Workshop at 2pm, including celebrating the 100th Birthday of Tram No. 7.

We will also be running the FREE 20 minute service well into the evening so that you can catch a tram to the Christmas at Central Deborah Gold Mine event being held from 7-9pm. Park anywhere along the tram route and catch the tram into town and to the mine free for the day!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Andrew Lund ‏@andrew_lund 14h

All aboard as Bendigo celebrates 125 years of trams! @9NewsMelb



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Twitter

Nine News Melbourne ‏@9NewsMelb 14h

Birthday bash: 125 years since trams started rattling through Bendigo. @andrew_lund on the major milestone #9NewsAt6

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Billions go to train and tram operators with little improvement

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTUA ‏@ptua 16h

70% of peak travel on Smith St is by tram,so tram priority lanes make sense. But will they work with no enforcement? http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tram-lane-blues-the-road-rule-melburnians-habitually-ignore-20160112-gm42lr.html ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Tram work delay in Southbank to cause more commuter pain on Monday

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Melbourne's happiest tram driver brings joy and connection to the daily grind

[ozbob]

Melbourne today bid farewell to the first B-Class tram, number 2001, which will shortly be retired. #9News pic.twitter.com/5kTyJxqw7N

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 30, 2016

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Traffic lights, tram cameras, action: signal review reduces peak-hour grind

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> E-class trams plagued with safety flaws, report suggests

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

3AW Melbourne ‏@3AW693 now

"THEY ARE SAFE" | Minister hoses down concerns over new tram fleet http://bit.ly/1WTjZw5 

[red dragin]

Melbourne Age --> E-class trams plagued with safety flaws, report suggests

Try standing on an IMU160 series between Petrie & Dakabin - there are three transitions into/out of curves that will through you around, one that nearly put me into the doors once. I always remain seated until the "next station is Dakabin" announcement. Even worse if running wrong road.

[petey3801]

Melbourne Age --> E-class trams plagued with safety flaws, report suggests

Try standing on an IMU160 series between Petrie & Dakabin - there are three transitions into/out of curves that will through you around, one that nearly put me into the doors once. I always remain seated until the "next station is Dakabin" announcement. Even worse if running wrong road.

Carseldine to Bald Hills can be bad for that too, especially the curve before Telegraph Rd.

[ozbob]

Melbourne's trams ranked from best to worst

>> https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-trams-ranked-from-best-to-worst-033116

[brissypete]

Very accurate ratings, those D class are dreadful.  Love live the Z

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Zed's nearly dead: Melbourne's first modern trams to be retired within days

Who will mourn the Z-Class, Melbourne's first "modern" trams, when they are gone?

Small and boxy, with steep steps and no air-con (except in the driver's cabin), they lack the old-world charm of the W-Class or the mod-cons of the newer trams.

But the Zeds have been the humble workhorse of Melbourne's tram fleet for 40 years, and by month's end the first generation of them will be gone, mostly retired to workshops to be pulled apart for scrap.

Fewer than 10 of the original Z-Class - the Z1 and Z2 models - remain in service today, operating on three routes between Melbourne University and East Malvern, East Brighton and Carnegie.
Advertisement

By the end of April that number will be zero, and with no heritage listing proposed for these 1970s trundlers, volunteer-run tram museums may soon be the only place to find one.

Adam Chandler, communications manager for the Melbourne Tram Museum, said the Zeds are relatively unloved today, except among a handful of enthusiasts, but were "a marvel for their time". ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/zeds-nearly-dead-melbournes-first-modern-trams-to-be-retired-within-days-20160412-go4n4c.html