Melbourne Cable Trams

Melbourne was formerly served by one of the most extensive cable tram systems outside of the United States of America. The system, first opened from the City to Richmond in 1888, finally ceased operation in 1940. Originally operated by a private company, the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company (MT&OC), the cable tram system was taken over by the Government when the private company's concession expired. The final operator of the last of Melbourne's cable trams was the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (M&MTB).

The cable tram system with few exceptions did not see lengthy extensions after the initial construction. Electric trams made their debut in 1906 and were mostly constructed to connect with the outer ends of the cable tram network, though some, such as the Hawthorn Tramways Trust line along Swan Street, were constructed into the City.

The City of Northcote constructed its own cable tram line from Clifton Hill to Northcote which connected with the MT&OC's line to Clifton Hill. After the takeover of both systems by the M&MTB, the two lines were joined and a through route from the City to Northcote instituted.

Conversion of cable trams to electric tram commenced during the 1920's, with the conversion of the Swanston Street lines in 1925. The Depression years of the 1930's slowed the expensive conversion process with the Elizabeth Street cable lines converted to electric in 1935. The final cable trams operating along Bourke Street closed in 1940, being replaced by buses. The Bourke Street buses were themselves replaced by electric trams in 1955.

This page shows a small number of pictures of cable trams in actual service. The pictures honour the memory of their photographer, my uncle, Jack Lazarus. He was a keen and skilled photographer who photographed a wide range of subjects, and won a prize from a Melbourne newspaper for one of his pictures.

Images of Melbourne cable trams

Cable tram grip and trailer 543 were photographed in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, at the Gertrude Street junction with the Exhibition Gardens in the background. The gripman is visible in the centre of the grip car. The tram was on the Nicholson Street line which terminated at Nicholson Street near Park Street, North Fitzroy. Note the stop line for the tram. The trailer was painted in the green and cream colour scheme of the M&MTB. I understand that this photo was taken by my uncle and made into a postcard, from which it was copied. Judging by the shadows, the photo was probably taken around 11 am in the summery months and was probably taken in the mid to late 1930's.

An unknown cable tram grip and trailer set was photographed from the steps of the Victorian State Parliament House as it turned from Bourke Street into Spring Street, City, probably bound for Nicholson Street. This photo was taken by Jack Lazarus, as I have the negative and was probably taken in the mid to late 1930's.