Melbourne #930
Melbourne tram #930 is ready for service outside the Strathcona streetcar barn (August 5, 2006) © Hans Ryffel, ERRS
Not less than 765 W class trams were built in Melbourne (Australia) from 1923 until 1956. Not surprisingly, they became sort of an icon and have been designated as heritage items by the National Trust in 1990. Our car No. 930 was built in 1947 and belongs to the second last batch, the so called W6 class. The double-ended car is propelled by four 40 hp motors, has drop-centre entrances and seats for 50 passengers with a crush capacity of about 140 people! It is therefore extremely well suited for the ERRS High Level Bridge line.
No. 930 operated in Melbourne until 1997 when it was withdrawn and placed into reserve storage. After years of negotiations, the car was finally shipped to Edmonton as an ambassador for the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria. The car arrived in February 2004, was unloaded and derailed immediately! Unfortunately, the wheels were not suitable for our track and had to be re-profiled. After extensive truck and brake overhauls car 930 finally entered service in fall 2006.
In spring 2011 Melbourne #930 was temporarily moved to the society workshop at Fort Edmonton Park for roof repairs. The car returned at the end of the 2012 season to the High Level Bridge Streetcar line.
A winter scenario in Strathcona (January 26, 2007)
© Tony Kernahan, ERRS
Years ago #930 operated in regular service and posed together with #800 at West Coburg Terminus in Melbourne © Graeme Farrar