West Coburg tramway timeline
The building of the West Coburg to City tramway was the culmination
of many steps, outlined in the timeline below.
1890, 1900, 1909 |
- Unsuccessful proposals to build the Moonee Vale Railway
through West Brunswick and West Coburg.
|
1910-11 |
- A Royal Commision to inquire into the railway and tramway
systems of Melbourne and suburbs.
|
1915 |
- The MBCTT commissions a report on a possible West Coburg to
city tramway but decides against building it.
|
1918 |
- The Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Act establishes
the M&MTB.
|
1922 |
- March: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways
recommends only part of the M&MTBs route, i.e. Moreland
Road to Royal Park Station.
- September: The same committee recommends
an extension through Royal Park to the corner of William and
Collins Streets, in Melbourne CBD. It also recommends the connection
of the Essendon and Maribyrnong River tramways to the same route
along Flemington Road and William Street.
- December: The Melbourne to West
Brunswick Tramways Construction Act authorises construction
of a double track tramway from Moreland Road to Collins Street.
|
1923 |
- Construction begins in William Street and Flemington Road.
- March: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways
recommends an extension to Bell Street and beyond.
- November: The Zoo horse tram ceases operation after
fire destroys the depot and trams.
|
1924 |
- Construction of the tramway continues through Royal Park and
West Brunswick.
|
1925 |
- February: The Governor in Council authorises the
construction of a double track tramway from Moreland Road to
Bell Street, West Coburg.
- July: Tram services begin from the corner of William
and Collins Streets to Daly Street, West Brunswick and
also to Essendon and Maribyrnong River.
- October: Services begin to Albion Street, using a
single track between Hunter Street and Albion Street.
- Difficulties negotiating the land acquisition between Albion
Street and Moreland Road slow construction.
|
1926 |
- Construction of Melville Road and tramway between Albion Street
and Bell Street, with double track to Reynard Street then single
track to Bell Street.
|
1927 |
- May: Tram services extended to Moreland Road.
- June: Tram services extended to Bell Street.
- August: Track duplication between Hunter Street and
Albion Street completed.
|
1935 |
- Tram services from Essendon and Maribyrnong River redirected
from William Street to Elizabeth Street.
|
1943 |
- The South Melbourne to Melbourne Tramway Construction Act
authorises the construction of a double track electric tramway
from the corner of Collins and William Streets to Sturt Street
and Hanna Street, South Melbourne.
|
1944 |
- Construction of the above tramway including the Dudley Street
terminus.
|
1946 |
- Some southern suburban services rerouted to Dudley Street
or West Coburg.
- West Coburg services extended to St Kilda Beach.
- Duplication of the track between Reynard Street and Bell Street.
|