Visitor Count
since October 2001
The path taken by the trams: from Preston Workshops, over the hump to High Street, reversed in Plenty Road, then to city via route 86 - High Street, Queens Parade, Smith Street, Gertrude Street, Nicholson Street into Spring Street.
The trams then continued along Spring Street along the new line put in for the City Circle trams, crossing Bourke and Collins Streets before turning into Wellington Parade on the north to east curves emplaced for the altered route 48. The cavalcade then travelled along Wellington Parade, Bridge Road, Burwood Road, thence into Power Street and Riversdale Road.
At Riversdale Road, the trams turned into Glenferrie Road, crossed the Rail Square at Kooyong before travelling all the way to Dandenong Road, reversed and returned along Glenferrie Road to the Depot.
This photo essay covers the trip from Northcote to the Kooyong Rail Square. Unfortunately, at that point I had become quite ill and I retired home to bed - the day was thus over for me.
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I picked up the transfer cavalcade at High Street Northcote just north of the Merri Creek where commerative cannons ceremonially guard the entrance to Northcote. Here 44 leads the Yarra Trams "Tram Recovery Vehicle", one of many support vehicles escorting the two trams. 1600 x 1000 pixels; 587k |
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84 follows 44 past the cannons, High Street, Northcote
1600 x 1000 pixels; 634k |
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Uneventful so far, 44 arrives at the former cable car engine-house (one of the largest engine houses, it was built in late 1880s and drove three cables) at the corner of Gertrude and Nicholson Streets. The lights change and 44 moves into the intersection.....................
1600 x 1000 pixels; 321k |
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......I was just changing location and exposure settings when I captured the instant the lead wheels of 44 derailed on the curve, the tram finally coming to a halt with the lead wheel resting on the tangent track.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 354k |
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Whilst 44 was being rerailed, 84 and 2124 waited patiently in Nicholson Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 417k |
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Fortunately, gently reversing rerailed the lead wheels, and after greasing the track, 44 inched forward carefully, the wheels under intense scrutiny from YT and Bendgio personnel. In the background City Circle tram 961 looked on sympathetically.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 321k |
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Now rolling along quite comfortably, 44 passes the Melbourne icon that is the Windsor Hotel, Recovery Vehicle and 84 not far behind.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 444k |
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And 84 passes the Windsor Hotel as well.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 500k |
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The cavalcade of trams and support vehicles arrive at the intersection of Bridge Road and Church Streets, Richmond.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 263k |
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44 accelerates across Church Street, the pole tracking effortlessly through the "pole compatible" overhead crossing.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 420k |
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44 passes the Amora Hotel @ Riverwalk - the facade belonged to a former cable car depot.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 553k |
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Blythly unaware that history is rolling up behind them, passengers wait for city-bound Citadis 3032 to open its doors; 84 is approaching the Hawthorn Bridge.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 433k |
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Anxious support crew watch 44 handle the corner from Burwood Road into Power Street, Hawthorn.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 456k |
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84 following behind 44 seems quite content with the sign in the window saying "Antiques": corner Burwood Road and Power Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 436k |
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I then moved ahead to the Kooyong rail square, not wanting to be caught up in the traffic content to be following the trams. It didn't take long for 44 to arrive, rolling over the rail square in fine style, the pole tracking perfectly through the overhead.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 464k |
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84 crossed the rail square a few seconds later and worked its way up the hill towards Toorak Road.
1600 x 1000 pixels; 436k |