Melbourne's tram classification system is based on classes originally devised by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB).[1] At first this was largely based on the order in which the original tramway operators had introduced each different type of tramcar between 1906 and 1920.[1]

The classification system was simplified in 1928[1] (or possibly earlier). All the drop-end combination trams of the B, H, J, M, and S classes were added to A class. The straight sill combination classes F, K, Q, and R, were added to G class. Drop-end-and-centre Maximum traction bogie combination classes D, E, N, and P, were added to C class. Sometimes variations on a design were given extra letters or numerals. For example, W type trams classified as W3, CW5, or SW6. Over the years many of the trams were modified and then reclassified – for example, every one of the original 200 W class trams were converted to W2 class between 1928 and 1933.[1]

Individual tram fleets had been numbered (from 1 upwards) by each of the pre-M&MTB tramway operators, but by 1924 the M&MTB had consolidated the numbering across the combined fleet.[1] With the introduction of Z class trams, the M&MTB started a new numbering system.[1] Tramways in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sorrento and the Victorian Railways had their own tram numbering systems. Trams which were moved between the systems were renumbered.

There were also many non-passenger trams, such as rail grinders, breakdown cars and freight cars which were not included in the classification system.

Classes

MMTB Tram Classification and Number
Image Class Description Fleet numbers
A class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1910–1911) for PMTT[1]: 49  1–20
B class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1917–1918) for PMTT[1]: 50  21–24, 84–91
C class C class Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT[1]: 51  25–35
D class Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1914) for PMTT[1]: 51  36
E class E class Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1914) for PMTT[1]: 52  36–45
F class Single truck, straight sill, clerestory-roofed, single aisle summer car, built by Duncan & Fraser (1912) for PMTT[1]: 52  46–47
G class Single truck, straight sill, single aisle summer car, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT[1]: 53  48–53
H class H class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1913) for PMTT[1]: 54  54–63
J class J class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company (1915) for PMTT[1]: 54  64–83
K class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Moore (1919–1920) for PMTT[1]: 55  92–100
L class Bogie combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1921) for PMTT[1]: 56  101–106
M class M class Single truck, drop end, open California combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917) for HTT and FTT[1]: 58  107–116, 183–189
Image needed N class Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1916) for HTT[1]: 59  117–126
O class Maximum traction, bogie, straight sill, combination with one drop end, built by Duncan & Fraser (1912) for PMTT[1]: 60  127–130
P class P class Maximum traction, bogie, drop end and centre combination, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917–18) for HTT[1]: 61  131–138
Q class Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by MMTB (1922–1923)[1]: 62  139–150, 190–201
R class Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by James Moore & Sons (1920) for FNPTT[1]: 63  151–153
R class Single truck, straight sill, closed combination, built by MMTB (1920)[1]: 63  172–176
S class Single truck, drop end, open California combination built by Duncan & Fraser (1916–1922) for MBCTT and MMTB[1]: 64  154–171
T class Single truck, drop end, open combination with long saloon, built by Duncan & Fraser (1917) for MBCTT[1]: 65  177–182
U class U class Single truck, saloon, built by Duncan & Fraser (1906) for NMETL[1]: 66  202–211
V class Single truck, open cross bench, built by Duncan & Fraser (1906) for NMETL[1]: 67  212–216
W class Bogie drop centre combination, built 1923–1927 by Holden, James Moore & Sons and MMTB[1]: 23 : 112  219–418
W1 class Bogie drop centre combination, built by MMTB (1925–1928)[1]: 25  419–438, 470–479
W2 class W2 class Bogie drop centre combination, built by MMTB and James Moore & Sons (1927–31)[1]: 26  439–458, 480–609, 624–653
W3 class W3 class Bogie drop centre combination, built MMTB (1930–1934)[1]: 32  654–669
W4 class W4 class Bogie drop centre combination, built MMTB (1933–1935) 670–674
CW5 class Maximum traction, bogie, drop centre combination, built MMTB (1934–1935)[1]: 38  681–685
W5 class W5 class Bogie, drop centre combination, built by MMTB (1935–1939)[1]: 35  720–839
SW2 class Bogie drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1938, 1953, 1955)[1]: 37  275, 426, 432, 436, 478, 644
SW5 class SW5 class Bogie, drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1939–1940, 840–849), converted by Metropolitan Transit Authority (1983–1986, all the other tram cars) [2] 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, 840–849
SW6 class SW6 class Bogie drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1939–1951)[1]: 40  850–969
PCC class (1950) Two door bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1950)[1]: 42  980
W6 class W6 class Bogie, drop centre saloon, built by MMTB (1951–1955)[1]: 43  970–979, 981–1000
W7 class W7 class Two door bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1955–1956)[1]: 42  1001–1040
W8 class Bogie drop centre saloon, converted from SW6/W6/W7 trams 946, 959 (2013), 957 (2015), 1010 (2016), 983 (2017), 856, 928, 961 (2019), 888 (2020)[3] 856, 888, 928, 946, 957, 959, 961, 981, 983, 1010
X class Single truck saloon safety car, built by JG Brill Company & St Louis Car Company (1923)[1]: 22  217–218
X1 class Single truck saloon, built by MMTB (1926–1928)[1]: 28  459–468
X2 class Single truck saloon, built by MMTB (1930)[1]: 30  674 (later 680), 675–679
Y class Bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1927)[1]: 29  469
Y1 class Y1 class Bogie saloon, built by MMTB (1930)[1]: 31  610–613
PCC class (1973) PCC class (1973) Prototype two door bogie saloon, last ever tram built by MMTB (1973).[4][5] Formed the basis of the Z1 class tram design 1041
Z1 class Z1 class Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1974–1978)[1]: 13  1–100
Z2 class Z2 class Two door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1978–1979)[1]: 13  101–115
Z3 class Z3 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1979–1984)[1]: 16  116–230
A1 class A1 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1983–1985) 231–258
A2 class A2 class Three door bogie saloon, built by Comeng (1985–1987) 259–300
B1 class B1 class Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1984–1985)[1]: 19  2001–2002
B2 class B2 class Articulated saloon, built by Comeng (1987–1994) 2003–2132
C1 class C1 class Three-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 202 tram(2001–2002) 3001–3036
C2 class C2 class Five-section articulated saloon, low floor Alstom Citadis 302 trams (2008)[6] 5103, 5106, 5111, 5113, 5123
D1 class D1 class Three section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2002–2003)[7] 3501–3538
D2 class D2 class Five section, low floor Combino trams, made by Siemens (2003–2004)[8] 5001–5021
E1 class E1 class Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2013–2017)[9] 6001–6050
Image needed E2 class Three-section, four-bogie articulated trams built by Bombardier Transportation (2017–2021)[10] 6051–6100

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av Cross, Norman (2001). Destination City. Sydney: Transit Australia. ISBN 0-909459-17-7.
  2. ^ "SW5 Class". vicsig.net.
  3. ^ "W8 Class". vicsig.net.
  4. ^ "PCC.1041". vicsig.net. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board PCC No 1041". Melbourne Tram Museum. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  6. ^ "C2 Class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  7. ^ "D1 class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  8. ^ "D2 class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  9. ^ "E class, VICSIG – Trams". vicsig.net. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  10. ^ "E2 class, Trams DownUnder". Retrieved 9 April 2018.
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