2024 Begonia Festival

Built in 1913 by Duncan and Fraser for the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust and became number 63. Retained this number when classed "H" by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Sold to the Electric Supply Co. of Victoria Ltd. and transferred to Ballarat in 1931, becoming number 18. In 1964 this car was decorated for the centenary of the Borough of Sebastopol and donated to that borough in 1971 by the SEC. The tram returned to Ballarat in 1982 on loan to the Museum. This was the last car to move through the city area of Ballarat.

Built in 1917 by Duncan and Fraser for the Footscray Tramways Trust, but delivered to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board who had taken over the Trust. The car was classed "M" 189 by the Board. Purchased by the SEC in 1935. In 1971 this car was acquired by the Hamilton Pastoral Museum and held by them until procured by the Society in 1977.  

W2 Class 407 entered service in Melbourne on the 5 October 1926 as a W Class tram, being converted to a W2 Class tram in the early 1930’s. For the most part 407 is a stock-standard W2 Class tram, however its fate irreversibly changed one evening in February 1972 when it collided with a cement truck at the corner of Dandenong Road and Chapel Street. One end of 407 was severely damaged in the collision, yet it was driven under its own power to Preston Workshops for repair.  The insurance payout from the truck’s insurer was used to fund the reconstruction of 407 as an apprentice training project. To assist in the rebuild, sister car 259 which had been withdrawn from service was dismantled to provide a replacement chassis, roof structure and other components for the damaged end of 407.  This work was recorded as an 03 overhaul in 407’s car records, but was in reality more of an 01 overhaul. Prior to returning to service, 407 was fitted with the multiple head and tail lights that were fitted to trams of this class from the early 1970’s. 407 continued to run for a number of years until it was withdrawn from service on the 12 January 1982, arriving at Haddon on the 18 February 1982 after having run a total of 2,523,134 kilometres in Melbourne. Tram 407 was purchased without trucks and was mounted on trucks from W2 499 on arrival at Haddon. The number 4 motor in 499’s trucks was found to be defective and required replacement with a serviceable motor prior to 407 being made operable. 407 is fitted with British Thompson Houston (BTH) 265D motors, which were a favourite among tram enthusiasts for their fast running and unique sound. 407 has been restored to its final...