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M&MTB W7 No 1001

This tramcar was the class leader of the W7 series of Melbourne trams, which was the culmination of the thirty-three year development of the base W type design. These tramcars were built specifically for the conversion of the Bourke Street routes from omnibus to electric tram services, No 1001 being constructed in 1955 at Preston Workshops. The reason for the conversion was that the buses could not cope with the loadings being generated on the Bourke Street routes, which had been closed as cable tram routes fifteen years previously.

The original order for W7 trams consisted of 70 vehicles, but this was reduced to 40 cars as a result of the change of State Government from the Cain Labor administration to the Bolte Liberal government, and a resulting change in policy. The Bolte administration was noted for its opposition to any further development of Melbourne’s tramways, in favour of the development of private motor vehicle transport.

Due to significant opposition to trams when this class was being built, special effort was put into making these tramcars as quiet as possible, as one of the major objections to electric tramcars was the amount of noise generated by their operation. These cars were fitted with resilient wheels and double helical gears for this purpose. The bodies were also fitted with soundproofing and fully upholstered seats throughout in order to improve passenger comfort. They are notable for the interior layout of the drop centre differing markedly from virtually all other W series tramcars.

Apart from a short period in the late 1950s, W7 trams served exclusively on the Bourke Street routes until 1975. These trams were used for the introduction of any new features, notably the replacement of cast iron brake shoes with Ferodo composition brake shoes commencing in 1966.

No 1001 is notable as the first electric passenger tramcar to travel down Bourke Street, and was also used as the official tramcar for the opening of the Bourke Street electric line in 1955. It started its career operating from Preston Depot, before it was displaced by Z class cars to Essendon Depot. It returned to Preston Depot prior to its withdrawal.

This tramcar is one of eight tramcars on loan to the TMSV from the State Government. The loan commenced on its withdrawn from service in 1991.