Simply put, Melbourne, Australia has the greatest tramway system in the English-speaking world, and third-largest as well. Its fleet of 500-plus trams travel on 29 routes over 245 route kilometers (152 miles).

While the system has been extensively modernized over the last twenty years, it still has a sizable fleet of 1950s-era historic trams operating on a few dedicated routes.

The history of Melbourne’s tramway system begins in 1885, when cable cars commenced operation, ultimately becoming one of the largest cable tramway systems in the world. The first electric trams began running in 1889 in the eastern suburbs of Box Hill and Doncaster. However, the first electric tramway in Melbourne itself was the North Melbourne Electric Tramway and Lighting Co. (NMETL), which connected with an in-town cable car line and worked its way up to Essendon. The same year, Victoria Railways opened a tram line between St. Kilda and Brighton. More electric tramways, called Tramway Trusts, came on line throughout Melbourne starting in 1910, introducing the California-type car to Melbourne. By 1920, the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board had taken over all cable car lines and tramway trusts, and the celebrated W-class drop-center trams, which were to become a symbol of Melbourne, were introduced in 1925.

By 1940, the last cable car lines were converted to electric traction, and for nearly four decades the friendly green/cream trams trundled about their business, largely through the stewardship of Sir Robert Risson, who defended tram operation against hostile sources badgering for replacement. To paraphrase the present-day Yarra Trams slogan, it was ‘Melbourne W’s All Over’. In 1975, new orange-hued Z-class cars, ultimately totaling 230 units, began to retire the frailest of the W2s. By 1987, the W2s were history, with many migrating to the US, where they serve in Seattle, Memphis, Minnesota, and San Jose. San Francisco’s No. 496 is a typical representative of this venerable class of tram, and will reach its 80th birthday in 2007.

Meanwhile, control of the system passed to the Metropolitan Transit Authority which reverted to a green/yellow color for all trams beginning with the B-class, Melbourne’s first articulated trams. These in turn bumped many of the W5s and W6s (built 1935-1955) to standby status or dead storage. Today, 53 of the W5s, W6s and W7s survive in service.

A major change to Melbourne transport occurred in August, 1999, when all trams, buses, and suburban rail operations were privatized. The tram system was divided into two entities—Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams. Operation of the remaining W’s fell to Yarra Trams, who—in 2004—assimilated M-Tram, successor to Swanston Trams.

To get back to the W situation, all 53 active cars were withdrawn temporarily in early 2000 because of braking concerns (they were returned to service after track brakes were retrofitted). More recently, all Ws have had pantographs installed in order to simplify the overhead wire infrastructure. This had the effect of restricting operations with trolley pole-equipped trams, including a large fleet of historical trams stored at Hawthorn Depot. In the past, there had been some special tram operations with historic cars, but at the moment, they are being held hostage by the company’s desire to prevent them from ever operating in Melbourne—a political dictum which has angered historians. There is no Market Street Railway-type group in Melbourne to promote operation of vintage tram service, but individual efforts may turn the tide with some government influence.

The remaining W operations consist of the City Circle, which runs daily in both directions via Spencer, La Trobe, Nicholson/Spring and Flinders Streets. City Circle trams are painted in a handsome wine red and gold livery. Traditional green/yellow Ws operate on Route 30 into Docklands—a developing district of high-rise condos and apartments whose residents demanded Ws as a way of linking Melbourne’s wonderful past with its vibrant present—and Routes 78/79, an east side crosstown route between Richmond and St. Kilda Beach. Because of the systemwide proof-of-payment fare method instituted in the late 1990s, Ws are now operated by one person.

There is also a restaurant tram which runs around downtown Melbourne, using two W6s and W2 No. 442, the last active W2 in Melbourne, and the last equipped with trolley poles.

All in all, a visit to Melbourne and its trams is a truly rewarding experience, and its people go out of their way to help visitors enjoy their unique city and transportation experience. Cheers, mate!