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&MTB’s 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.