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A century of Electric Trams

In 2006, Yarra Trams marked an important milestone in the history of the Melbourne tram network - 100 years of continuous operation of electric trams.

Electric trams operated between Box Hill and Doncaster in the late 1800s, but this service was abandoned.

From 1906 electric trams were here to stay.

The Victorian Railways operated an electric tram service from St Kilda to Brighton from May 1906 until February 1959.

The private North Melbourne Electric Tramway and Lighting Company opened in October 1906. Part of this system remains as the backbone of Yarra Trams Route 59 Airport West-City.

News & Publications

old tram image

Yarra Trams Essendon Depot celebrated its centenary. To view the fact sheet please visit the publications page.

Read More

100 years logo

Click here to view the Yarra Trams 100 years of electric trams advertisement that was developed as part of Yarra Trams’ sponsorship of the 2006 Melbourne International Film Festival. (3.65mb)