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Melbourne Tram Museum- Hawthorn Depot
The Hawthorn Tramway Depot was built in 1916 for the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT).
The depot was close to the HTT’s two main lines which ran into the city. Indeed even
today the best way to get to the museum is by either Tram 70 or Tram 75, both stop
at Riverside Junction (29), close to the corner of Power Street and Wallen Road in
Hawthorn, some 40 minutes from the city centre.
By 1920 the Melbourne and Metropolitan
Tramways Board (M&MTB) had taken over and by 1925 the depot was used also to teach
and train drivers. The depot closed as a running depot in February 1965, but it was
kept on as a training and uniform manufacture until the 1990’s. In 1996 the depot
was added to the Victoria Heritage Register. It was redeveloped and reopened in 2002
as a residential complex, but thankfully the original 4 road shed was kept.
Ever
since 1885, Melbourne has been one of the great tramway cities of the world. Explore
the history of these trams and the contributions they have made. Today Melbourne
has the new “E” class of trams running on various routes, but thanks to the Hawthorn
Depot’s commitment, most of the historic trams that once a common sight on the streets
of Melbourne are preserved here.
Today the four road shed is home to 21 vintage
trams. There are destination board, how a tram is powered and a history of every
tram here. There are a wide range of vehicles including, MTOC cable tram set, VR’s
20 and 53, The M&MTB L104 and 106, the “S” and “T” series and the much loved “W”
Class (these cans till be seen operating on the free tourist tram- heritage City
Circle route 35 today).
Run by volunteers, this static museum is a timely reminder
to both young and old of the importance these trams played in the development of
this city.
Running Time 56 Minutes