Visitor Count
since October 2001
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Yarra Trams undertook tram track renewal and the construction of platform stops in High Street Westgarth over this week. Route 86 trams to Bundoora from Docklands were diverted along La Trobe Street, Victoria Parade, Brunswick Street, St Georges Road, Miller Street, over the "Hump" thence resuming its normal route along High Street and and Plenty Road in both directions.
In addition, a shuttle tram (route 00) ran from Spencer Street along Bourke Street to Clifton Hill on the "correct" route 86 path. Passengers for Smith Street and Clifton Hill were advised to catch this tram. Bourke Street passngers bound for Preston and Bundoora were also able to catch this route 00 tram and change to the diverted 86 tram at the intersection of Gertrude and Brunswick Streets, Fitzroy. I photographed trams both at the northern end of the diversion (St Georges Road -> Miller Street -> over the "Hump" -> High Street) as it's very unusual to see in-service trams using this line as well as tram activities in Fitzroy at St Vincent's Plaza and at the intersection of Brunswick and Gertrude Streets (where route 86 trams used Brunswick Street crossing their "proper" path at Gertrude Street). Click on the image at left to visit Yarra Trams' website for full information on this renewal. |
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To start with, I thought I better venture over to Miller Street and record the action there, given that the High Street line is to be re-opened in a couple of days (plus I wanted to try out my new lens (fixed focal length 35mm f1.8 - brilliantly sharp, and equipped with shank's pony zoom!). Cold, wet, wintry with light rain tending to intermittent heavy downpours - perfect winter weather in Melbourne. Just as I arrived, the first tram was 2055 inbound on a route 11 Victoria Harbour service: 1600 x 1000 pixels: 300k |
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Soon after an outbound B2.2063 on a diverted route 86 service.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 295k |
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Next A.254 inbound on a St Kilda A2 (????) service, a short burst of weak sunshine didn't last long.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 324k, 328k |
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B2.2077 inbound on the hump on a city-bound 86 service.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 346k |
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B2.2111 on out-bound 86 waits in St Georges Road to turn into Miller Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 385k |
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B2.2009 on out-bound 86 turns from St Georges Road into Miller Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 385k |
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It's almost dark as B2.2108 rolls down Miller Street towards St Georges Road.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 487k |
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This morning I decided to take a shortcut to work (yeah, right...... Port Melbourne to Sunshine via Preston) and was thrice blessed - a patch of sunshine plus 2001 on an outbound 86-Bundoora service plus the destination display was lined up perfectly.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 385k |
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B2.2093 2093 in La Trobe Street on its way to Bundoora via the Brunswick St - St Georges Rd - Miller St diversion.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 236k |
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Whilst the western half of the CBD was bathed in brilliant winter sunshine, a low fog hung over the eastern suburbs. As I arrived at St Vincent's Plaza, the sun was doing its best to burn off the last of the fog. Here's B2.2132 in-bound, having turned into Victoria Parade from Brunswick Street. It will now head down La Trobe Street to its Docklands destination.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 404k |
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B2.2020 on an in-bound 112 service has turned into Gisborne Street whilst C.3012 on a Box Hill 109 turns into St Vincent's Plaza.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 409k |
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Whilst track renewal is occurring in High Street, Northcote this week, route 86 is being diverted via La Trobe Street, Victoria Parade, Brunswick Street, St Georges Road and Miller Street before joining its original route at High Street (cnr Miller Street) Here B2.2055 on such a diverted Thornbury route 86 enters St Vincent's Plaza.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 541k |
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At the eastern side of St Vincent's Plaza, C.3016 on an in-bound 109 service approaches; A.233 on a route 31 follows, whilst SW6.884 (my personal favourite W - I grew up in 884 Glenferrie Road) waits to head back to Docklands.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 584k |
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Bliss! The sun is starting to burn through the fog. It's busy at the Plaza as B2.2052 on an 86 pulls into the stop. The Fire Services Museum (former East Melbourne Fire Station makes a magnificent backdrop.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 366k |
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SW6.884 has commenced its journey towards the CBD and Docklands.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 393k |
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The sun lights up SW6.884.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 393k |
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It's getting busy again: from left to right, C.3034 out-bound on a 109, B2.2061 in-bound on an 86, A.299 outbound on a 31 and W7.1012 on a route 30 waits in Victoria Parade.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 434k |
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The sun's rays have burned off the fog by now and it's a clear morning at 2083 heads in-bound.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 439k |
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Just another shot of W7.1021 as C.3031 heads into Melbourne.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 337k |
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Because route 86 is being diverted via La Trobe Street and St George's Road, a route 00 has been established to serve passengers between Clifton Hill and the city on the inner part of route 86. Passengers going beyond Clifton Hill who've boarded a route 00 tram in Bourke Street de-tram at the intersection of Gertrude and Brunswick Streets, Fitzroy and board the diverted 86s running up Brunswick Street. Here B.2103 in Gertrude Street on a route 00 Clifton Hill service rumbles over Brunswick Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 400k |
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B2.2057 in-bound in Brunswick Street on its diverted route 86 path crosses its normal route (Gertrude Street). I suppose this qualifies as a "Tram Passing Hotels" shot as the Rob Roy Hotel is on the corner.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 338k |
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Siblings B2.2123 and B2.2124 cross paths at Brunswick and Gertrude Streets, 2123 on a West Preston 112 service, 2124 on a route 00 Clifton Hill service.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 399k |
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B2.2050 crosses its"proper path" as it heads in-bound in Brunswick Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 426k |
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The spire of St Patrick's Cathedral and the Eye And Ear Hospital provide a background to B2.2046 heading for Bundoora on its diverted path.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 534k |
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B2.2043 in-bound in Gertrude Street approaches Brunswick Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 479k |
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B2.2043 crosses Brunswick Street. The dome of the Exhibition Buildings rises up in the background.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 436k |
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Now trying to get to work, I'm stuck in traffic; I see B2.2010 on a route 00 heading up Nicholson Street towards Gertrude Street.
1600 x 1000 pixels: 467k |
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Last shot for today..... still stuck in traffic, C2.5103 is out-bound on an East Brunswick route 96 service.
1000 x 1500 pixels: 467k |