Trams according to Rick

The public transportation system in Melbourne is well known for its many trams which run in a complicated network throughout the city.

Z1 class built from 1975-78

B class built from 1987 to 1993

Z3 class built from 1979 to 1983. They've been an iconic landmark for over 100 years.There are seemingly hundreds of different types, ages and sizes of trams operating in the city from the very new French built Citadis C2 class German built Combino 3 section D1 class

(as above, but please note that all the trams prior to the French and German cars were built in Melbourne!)

to the older

and the oldest. The iconic and much loved W class, shown here in City Circle service

Our good friend, Greg King from Sunbury, enlightened us about the fine points of this mode of transportation. As it turns out, he is a semi-retired Melbourne tram driver and a dedicated aficionado. He knows everything there is to know about these machines. He teaches drivers, collects information from sources around the world, builds model O-gauge trams and trains for hobbyists

and even has part of real tram in his backyard. I had some free time on my hands and Greg offered to take me to Ballarat to see the Melbourne Tram Car Museum one day. I dropped Karin off at school and drove to Sunbury, where Greg and I started our trek. The Museum is astounding. Located in the country outside Ballarat, it is a complete working tram installation.

The man in charge is just as dedicated to this hobby as Greg is. To hear these two friends discuss on and on about the finer points and details of vintage trams is to hear a foreign language: Power supplies, brake systems, transmissions, historical changes in designs in the W4 Class No. 670 and W3 Class No. 663 over the years, etc etc. To witness the two of them is to marvel. Six fully restored vintage trams, on tracks and complete with overheard wires are all in working order. They're refurbished to pristine condition and their woodwork shines like fine furniture. I must confess I got a bit of the bug myself and came home with an authentic vintage tram headlight assembly to begin my own Tram Shrine in Winnipeg. Plans and photos for the project are forthcoming and who knows, those who visit us may see a bit of nostalgia in the back yard or at the cottage one of these years. In the meantime, we enjoy travelling the many different trams in Melbourne. We may even book for dinner on the Restaurant Tram one of these days! Just recently on the news, Melbourne politicians are promising to maintain and restore the old W-class trams.