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M&MTB Flusher No 7W

7W at the Domain Road interchange. Photograph Gary Davey.

7W at the Domain Road interchange, South Melbourne. Photograph Gary Davey.

Originally built as No 7 in 1920, this was the first tramcar built by the M&MTB. It was used for flushing and scraping out rail grooves. It was modified in 1950 with weed killing equipment.

In 1964 this tramcar was in a serious collision, which resulted in the ends being rebuilt later that year using the end frames and cabins from W2 class tram No 356, together with some parts from W2 No 508.

It was not used in traffic after 1978, being purchased in 1986 by the TMSV. It is used at Bylands primarily as a locomotive for hauling unpowered trams, as it is fitted with 50 horsepower motors removed from withdrawn X1 class tramcars, making it significantly more powerful than the TMSV’s other tramcars. It is intended to restore this tramcar back to its 1964 condition in string and black service livery, and will also be a test bed for the use of acrylic paints for the exterior restoration of tramcars.

The preservation of this tramcar was due to the foresight of P.A. Hall and N. Maddock, who tirelessly lobbied the government of the day against considerable opposition to ensure its survival. Their efforts are officially commemorated in the Hall/Maddock Collection of the TMSV, of which this tramcar is a member.