1885 First cable tram in Melbourne

ID: 16543
Copyright: library does not own image (image on public access)
Org ID: RL 339

Description: Image held at Richmond Library. The photograph shows a cable tram crowded with seated and standing passengers. Information accompanying the photograph reads: 'Here is the first cable tram to run in Melbourne; it is about to leave Richmond Town Hall for the city, on 11 November 1885. From 1885 to 1892 a network of underground cables was laid down under Melbourne's main streets. These cables ran midway between the tram lines with a slit or opening in the roadway for the gripper. Two cars made up the unit; the forward car carried the gripping apparatus which was in the centre of the car. A 'gripman' operated a gripper which extended from the car, through the slit in the roadway, to grip the moving cable which propelled the car at about fifteen miles per hour. The first car - known as the dummy - towed the second car. To keep the cables moving stationary steam engines were placed in various parts of the city'.
Subject: cable trams

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