Tram history - Chapter 6 - Part 1

6.3.2 Overhead wires
Melbourne Metropolitan Tramway Heritage Study, Gary Vines
The early tramways tended to use centre rod cantilevered pole supports for the overhead, but as
road traffic increased, these became an obstacle wand were replaced by wires suspended form
poles along the sides of the road, with the only surviving centre road poles being in reserved
track on Victoria Parade, Royal Parade, Peel Street, Dandenong Road, Fitzroy Street and St
Kilda Road.. Many tramways erected their own poles, rather tan employ existing electricity
supply, both because they required a different voltage supply, and spacings needed to be closer,
regular and on both sides of the road.
A range of pole types were used, both cast iron and timber. Also several forms of attachments,
insulators and finials. In some cases the poles were quite decorative, with moulded ferrules cast
around the poles at various heights, ogee and conical shaped finials, and curlicue brackets. The
original poles survive in many cases, particularly where metal poles were installed.
Figure 105: Decorative tram poles in Fitzroy St. (http://clubtroppo.com.au/2008/02/16/liveability/)
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