Tram 1029 is a member of the 40 strong W7 class completed by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board between March 1955 and August 1956. These were the last W class trams built. They were designed to be as quiet as possible with sound proofing, resilient wheels, double helical gears and a different layout in the drop centre. No. 1029’s steelwork was built by Ansair Industries with the wooden coachwork undertaken by the MMTB at Preston Workshops. The tram entered service on 1 February 1956.
It was retired and place into storage at Newport on 12 September 1995. During 2018 VicTrack commenced a process to find new homes for some 134 trams stored at Newport Railway Workshops. Over 1500 applications were received. The Museum was allocated trams SW5 836 and W7 1029. Being an open format tram, it makes it very suitable for days of heavy loading, functions, bus parties etc.
This tram has been modified to make it wheelchair accessible.
History
1.2.1956 – Entered Service after construction at Preston Workshops
10.1970 – Head and tail-lights fitted
2.1980 – Received a 01 (the highest level) overhaul
9.1985 – Painted in The Met livery
12.9.1995 – Transferred to Newport Workshops East block for storage
16.8.2019 – Transferred by VicTrack to the Museum’s Bungaree facility along with tram SW5 836.
12.2.2020 – Transferred to the Museum’s new workshop facility at Bungaree with work on repairing and repainting to a serviceable condition commenced.
Car history information provided by Geoff Warburton
Historical Significance
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HISTORIC
Technical Details
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TYPE
Bogie, drop-centre combination
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TRUCK (BOGIE)
MMTB No. 15 and fitted with resilient wheels
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WHEEL SIZE
28" nominally (700mm)
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WHEELBASE
5'2" (1.575m)
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LENGTH
46'6" (14.17m)
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WIDTH
9'0" (2.74m)
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APPROXIMATE MASS
17.5 tons (17.7 tonnes)
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motors
General Electric 247
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controllers
MMTB RC2 (Remote Control built by the MMTB)
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brake valves
Westinghouse Self-Lapping Drivers Brake Valve - Type W
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compressor
Westinghouse DH16
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compressor governor
General Electric MLA1
