Hawthorn tram depot facts for kids
Hawthorn tram depot viewed from Wallen Road
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| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Wallen Road, Hawthorn |
| Characteristics | |
| Owner(s) | VicTrack |
| Operator(s) | Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board |
| History | |
| Opened | April 1916 |
| Closed | 13 February 1965 |
The Hawthorn tram depot was a special building for trams in Hawthorn, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It was built in April 1916 by a group called the Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT). This depot was important because it was near where two main tram lines met.
Later, in 1920, another group, the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), took over the depot. The depot was used for different things over the years. In 1925, it became a school to teach people how to drive trams and be tram conductors. By 1940, the building was also used to make uniforms for all the MMTB staff.
What Happened to the Depot?
The Hawthorn tram depot stopped being a place where trams were stored and maintained on February 13, 1965. However, the building was still used for training new tram staff. It also continued to be the place where tram uniforms were made. These activities went on until the 1990s.
In August 1998, Robin Cooper, who was the Transport Minister at the time, announced a new plan for the site. He said the area would be turned into homes. But a part of the old depot would be saved and made into a museum. This museum would show the history of trams.
The tram museum officially opened on January 19, 2003. Peter Batchelor, another Transport Minister, was there for the opening. In 1996, the depot was added to the Victorian Heritage Register. This means it is a special place that is protected because of its history.
The Tram Museum Today
The tram museum at the Hawthorn depot is owned by VicTrack. However, it is looked after and run by a group of volunteers called the Friends of Hawthorn Tram Depot. This group works hard to keep the history of Melbourne's trams alive.
The museum has a collection of 17 trams that have been fully fixed up. They look just like they did when they were used on the streets. The collection also includes one of Melbourne's original cable trams. These were a very early type of tram used in the city.
