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Z-class Melbourne tram
The Z-class are single-unit bogie trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. Between 1975 and 1983, 230 trams spanning three sub-classes were built by Comeng, Dandenong. The design was based on two similar Gothenburg tram models, and a prototype built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. While the Z1 and Z2-class trams were very similar, the Z3-class had significant design changes.
Since introduction they have had a variety of liveries, and modifications. The Z1 and Z2-class trams have been retired, with 86 Z3-class trams remaining in service.
When Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) staff were sent to Europe in 1965 to investigate other tramway operations, they took interest in Swedish trams, and upon return in 1966 drew up specifications, and had a timber mockup built. This mockup was to be the basis for a new tram design for Melbourne. The MMTB approved of the design, and in 1972 requested a prototype be constructed, the result was PCC 1041 being built at Preston Workshops. It was 'European in appearance' and utilised some components bought new, and many recycled from an earlier prototype tram, PCC 980. Prototype PCC 1041 became the basis of the Z-class trams, influenced by the M28 design running in Gothenburg, Sweden. PCC 1041 was to be launched by Premier Rupert Hamer on 26 August 1973, but the tram failed at the launch in front of the media. Due to constant electrical failures, PCC 1041 was infrequently used and was out of service between April 1975 and October 1976. PCC 1041 was finally withdrawn in 1984.
Despite the failure of PCC 1041, 100 Z1-class trams were ordered. Between 1974 and 1983, a total of 230 Z1 to Z3-class trams were built by Comeng at Dandenong.
Between 1995 and 1999, the remaining 106 Z1s and Z2s were refurbished by Goninan. The bodies were overhauled in an area of Preston Workshops allocated to Goninan, and the bogies were sent to Goninan's Auburn, New South Wales facility. On all except four, the flap type destination displays and route number indicators were replaced by dot-matrix displays.
When the Melbourne tram network was privatised in August 1998, M>Tram was allocated 94 Z1s, 12 Z2s and 84 Z3s, and Yarra Trams received 31 Z3s. Yarra Trams later transferred its Z3s to M>Tram in 2002 as the C class trams arrived to replace them. Yarra Trams’ former units were either refurbished and repainted in M>Tram livery or left in the former Met Green & Yellow livery after their transfer to M>Tram.
It was envisaged that the delivery of the C and D class trams would allow for the Z1 and Z2s to be retired after the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but rising patronage levels necessitated the retention of 30 Z1 and three Z2s until the E class trams entered service from 2014. Half of those remained in service in December 2015, and the last were withdrawn in April 2016.
In late 2007, the Z3s with analogue signage were fitted with digital signage, replacing the original rolling route destination displays.
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Z-class Melbourne tram
The Z-class are single-unit bogie trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. Between 1975 and 1983, 230 trams spanning three sub-classes were built by Comeng, Dandenong. The design was based on two similar Gothenburg tram models, and a prototype built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. While the Z1 and Z2-class trams were very similar, the Z3-class had significant design changes.
Since introduction they have had a variety of liveries, and modifications. The Z1 and Z2-class trams have been retired, with 86 Z3-class trams remaining in service.
When Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) staff were sent to Europe in 1965 to investigate other tramway operations, they took interest in Swedish trams, and upon return in 1966 drew up specifications, and had a timber mockup built. This mockup was to be the basis for a new tram design for Melbourne. The MMTB approved of the design, and in 1972 requested a prototype be constructed, the result was PCC 1041 being built at Preston Workshops. It was 'European in appearance' and utilised some components bought new, and many recycled from an earlier prototype tram, PCC 980. Prototype PCC 1041 became the basis of the Z-class trams, influenced by the M28 design running in Gothenburg, Sweden. PCC 1041 was to be launched by Premier Rupert Hamer on 26 August 1973, but the tram failed at the launch in front of the media. Due to constant electrical failures, PCC 1041 was infrequently used and was out of service between April 1975 and October 1976. PCC 1041 was finally withdrawn in 1984.
Despite the failure of PCC 1041, 100 Z1-class trams were ordered. Between 1974 and 1983, a total of 230 Z1 to Z3-class trams were built by Comeng at Dandenong.
Between 1995 and 1999, the remaining 106 Z1s and Z2s were refurbished by Goninan. The bodies were overhauled in an area of Preston Workshops allocated to Goninan, and the bogies were sent to Goninan's Auburn, New South Wales facility. On all except four, the flap type destination displays and route number indicators were replaced by dot-matrix displays.
When the Melbourne tram network was privatised in August 1998, M>Tram was allocated 94 Z1s, 12 Z2s and 84 Z3s, and Yarra Trams received 31 Z3s. Yarra Trams later transferred its Z3s to M>Tram in 2002 as the C class trams arrived to replace them. Yarra Trams’ former units were either refurbished and repainted in M>Tram livery or left in the former Met Green & Yellow livery after their transfer to M>Tram.
It was envisaged that the delivery of the C and D class trams would allow for the Z1 and Z2s to be retired after the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but rising patronage levels necessitated the retention of 30 Z1 and three Z2s until the E class trams entered service from 2014. Half of those remained in service in December 2015, and the last were withdrawn in April 2016.
In late 2007, the Z3s with analogue signage were fitted with digital signage, replacing the original rolling route destination displays.