The two Z1 class trams in Bendigo, nos 11 and 74, were donated to Bendigo Tramways by M-Tram. All costs associated with moving the trams to Bendigo were met by donations (of $$$ and time) from volunteers and staff, at no cost to The Bendigo Trust.
While both are in essentially operating condition, they require work to remove the remnants of cabling of the ticket machines, avm, inverter, etc, to ensure they are safe to operate.
The current 'plan' is to get no 74 to an operable trafficable condition, which will include fitting extra seats where the conductors consoles and the ticket machine used to be. We also need to update our accreditation manuals to cover the operation and maintenance of these types of vehicles. Again, all this work is being done by volunteers in their own time and at their own cost - there is no budget in the Trust's funds for this work. Any donations would be welcome!
Also, before the Z's can operate regularly, the power supply needs upgrading and the planned track repairs, especially the replacement of some of the pointwork in the street, needs to be carried out. Most of this is included in the upgrade as part of the proposed lake extension.
It is not intended to restore 74 to original condition, instead, several different liveries are being looked at, including MMTB chocolate and cream, which looked sensational on A 231. It will also keep its panto.
Our understanding is that Z1 no 5 at Bylands and Z2 111 in Sydney will probably be restored to original, together with Z1 1 and Z2 101 in the heritage fleet in Melbourne (so there should be enough orange Z's out there for 'orange Z gunzels' to photograph).
74 will then be available for limited traffic, such as gunzel tours, birthday and hens night charters, etc. It will probably be a fair while before it is historic enough to use regularly in tour tram traffic - we cop enough flack for running W's!
Once 74 is on the road, 11 will be brought up to 'moveable' condition. 11 was acquired as a spare car, for possible use as a special purpose tram, such as a second cafe tram, a vehicle to use for a planned night tram experience, etc. Currently it is the storeroom for all of the parts we have acquired from other Z class trams.
Kym
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen J
To:TramsDownUnder@...
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 4:13 AM
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: 53 at Acland St
Apologies for my late reply as I have been away a few days.
What sort of mechanical/electrical/body condition are 53 & 75 currently in compared to the rest of the current Z fleet?
Secondly, what are the plans for the preserved Zs at Bendigo & Sydney? Are they gonna be restored to their original condition with
poles & flippers? Apart from those in 53 & 75, are there any spare flippers that survive in storage after the changeover to the dot
matrix desto's in the rest of the Z fleet?
Cheers
Stephen (in Queensland)
--- InTramsDownUnder@..., "gbparsons03" <gbparsons03@y...> wrote:
> I hope the enthusiast drivers at Malvern Depot are doing their best
> to keep 53 & 75 going.
> I hope they eventually get preserved & not end up suffering the
> same fate as 83.
> Gary
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: jmacca53
> >
> > Interesting too how nos. 5, 53, 75 and 83 survived with their
> flipper destos. Although only 53 and 75 remain in service now of
> course. I believe what happened was they only contracted a certain
> amount of Z1/Z2's to be fitted with dot-matrix and in the end four
> got left with their Boselli flaps.
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