1906 – 2006 and beyond

Yarra Trams is celebrating an important milestone in the history of Melbourne’s tram network with 100 years of continuous operation of electric trams.
2006 marks the centenary of the Essendon Tram Depot.

Essendon Depot - the beginning

Early last century the North Melbourne Electric Tramway and Lighting Company (NMETL) won strong community support for its proposal to build two routes from Flemington Bridge to North Essendon and Maribyrnong.
The NMETL was granted a franchise to construct and operate electric tramlines through the municipalities of Flemington and Essendon, and provide a municipal electricity supply.
A one acre site on the east side of Mt. Alexander Road was chosen for the power station, company offices and tram depot. This is where the Essendon Depot stands today.

The foundation stone for the powerhouse was laid during a lavish ceremony on 24 May 1905, in front of a large and fashionable gathering. The Mayors of Essendon (Cr Showers) and Flemington (Cr Raisbeck) officiated. A month later, The Premier, Sir Thomas Bent, laid the first rail at the western end of Racecourse Road.
The depot had six roads (tracks) and could store 28 tram cars under cover. The company offices were located in a two-storey building alongside the entry track to the depot. The only original structure that remains today is the shed that houses roads (tracks) 13 to 18.

1906 - Essendon Depot opening

The NMETL tramway system was officially opened on 11 October 1906 with a series of ceremonies, finishing with a banquet in a large marquee. The Lady Mayoress drove the first tram, a saloon car, to Essendon Town Hall and then to the Saltwater River terminus.
The opening celebrations continued the next day when local school children were treated to a free service.

Normal services began on Saturday 13 October with all 25 tram cars. Huge crowds turned out on the first Sunday to enjoy the new form of transport, testing the lightly built trailer cars to the limit. The cars had to be withdrawn for strengthening before they could be used in service again.

Boarding the Saltwater (Maribyrnong) River tram, pre World War I. Photo: State Library of Victoria

Essendon Depot staff

When the depot first opened in 1906 there were 20 motormen (drivers) and 20 conductors employed.
The staff worked 60 hour weeks. There was no arrangement for meal breaks and meals had to be eaten on the tram. Drivers were paid £2/6/6 per week and conductors received one shilling less.
Drivers had to drive the trams on open platforms with no protection from the elements. These conditions led to a number of strikes and the subsequent establishment of The Australian Tramways Employees Association in 1910.

NMETL officers and staff at Essendon depot, post World War 1. Photo: Russel Jones TMSV.

The tram crews had a reputation for friendly service. Passengers could travel on the end platform and chat with the driver. The schedules were very relaxed and the trams often waited for late passengers who were seen running across the paddocks.

Routes

Saltwater River

This service ran from Flemington Bridge to Saltwater River, now called the Maribyrnong River. The fare was two pence full fare and one penny concession.

North Essendon

The North Essendon line was 33⁄4 miles (6.04 kms) in length and is now 14.748 kms in length. Part of this system remains the backbone of Yarra Trams Route 59 Airport West-City.

Tram 206, outside Essendon Depot. Photo: K.S King collection.

Puckle Street

The Puckle Street branch line, less than half a mile in length, seemed to be an unnecessary luxury, except it connected the Moonee Ponds station with Moonee Valley Racecourse.
On the Puckle Street tram cars, a payment of two pence full fare or a penny fare entitled the passenger to travel to Keilor Road, Flemington Bridge or the Newmarket Railway Station, without extra charge. This line was closed on 12 January 1924.
It is interesting to note that the rails when removed were used to construct roads 1,2 & 3 inside the former South Melbourne Depot.
The Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) took control of the NMETL services on 1 August 1922.

Essendon Depot – today

Since 18 April 2004 Essendon Depot has been one of eight in the Yarra Trams network.
With a total of 220 staff, the depot operates routes 55, 57, 59 and 82.