Tram history - Chapter 6 - Part 1

Melbourne Metropolitan Tramway Heritage Study, Gary Vines
after the 2006 Commonwealth games, but increasing demand meant that even Z1 and Z101 of
the heritage fleet went back into service. The very similar Z2-class followed in 1978 and from
1979 to 1984, 115 Z3-class trams were introduced, being a significant improvement with an
additional door each side and much smoother acceleration and braking. A feature of the Z class
was the seating position of the conductor, which anticipated the eventual removal of conductors..
6.2.13 A Class
The A-class was introduced in 1984 with a similar general form to the Z but with wider cabins
also built by Comeng. They did away with the concept of a seated conductor. 70 were built and
are still in service today. Like the Z-class, the A1 trams were originally fitted with trolley poles,
however they were subsequently removed and replaced with pantographs from 1988. All
subsequent trams were fitted with pantographs, and the remaining W Class trams were also
converted, and with the use of pantographs, the overhead wiring was changed so that trolley
poles could no longer operate on many lines.
6.2.14 B Class
A larger articulated version of the A class was also introduced in 1984. They originally had dual
level steps for light rail operation at Railway height platforms on the converted Port Melbourne
and St Kilda Lines which were later removed. The first two B1 class trams, 2001 and 2002 were
built as prototypes for the very large fleet of B2 class trams, 130 cars the largest single class of
tram other than the W2. The B2 did not have the dual level steps
6.2.15 C Class
The Citadis trams are three section articulated vehicles, manufactured in France by Alstom and
introduced following privatisation of Melbourne's tram system. Thirty-six are in service. The
five C2-class trams are another low floor tram with 5 sections, introduced in 2008 after being
leased from Mulhouse in France. They have been dubbed 'Bumblebees' due to their distinctive
yellow colour, and exclusively run on route 96. These have now been purchased by the state,
becoming the C2's
6.2.16 D Class
The now defunct M>Tram purchased the German made Siemens Combino which have now
reverted to Yarra Trams. The Combino is a three-section (D1-class) or five-section (D2-class)
articulated vehicle.
W6-7
SW5
Z1-2
B I O S I S R E S E A R C H 1 3 8