Bill,
I offer this information (writing from Sydney!) taken from the ARE
Time-line History of Melbourne's Government Trams and Buses
(published 1997) and a map entitled `The History of Melbourne's
Tramways 1885-1996'.
The first part of the present East Brighton line from Glenhuntly Rd
to North Road (Brighton Cemetery) was opened on 1st March, 1925 and a
service was provided from North Road to Windsor via Dandenong Rd.
This terminus in Dandenong Rd was, I presume, at the end of the
reserved track east of Chapel St, close to the railway station. Trams
in Chapel St did not reach this point until October, 1926. A line in
Wellington St to connect to St Kilda Junction was opened on 27 Dec,
1925 when the Brighton Cemetery service was extended to St Kilda
Beach (I guess at the Esplanade.)
If you did not take the train from Windsor to the City, there were
trams along St Kilda Rd meaning two fares - was there a transfer for
a through journey?
On Nov 29, 1936 a service was provided from Caulfield (Balaclava Jct)
to the City via Balaclava Rd, High St (St Kilda, I presume - this was
its old name), and St Kilda Rd. The `History' also notes this service
started on October 16, 1938 - I do not know which is correct.
Then on December 5th, 1937 the line was extended south to Point
Nepean Rd from Brighton Cemetery but it appears the terminus remained
St Kilda Beach with destination `South Caulfield'.
On October 16, 1938 the East Brighton to City service commenced
routed via Balaclava Rd and I presume it was given route No. 64 at
this time (plus the other short workings such as 61 and 62).
On July 10, 1055, route 64 was altered to work via Hawthorn and
Dandenong Roads to the City while a peak-hour City via William St
service continued to run via Balaclava Road.
The most recent change to route 64 was extension of its City terminus
north to the University with other Swanston St routes in April, 1991.
Writing this from Sydney has its hazards - I would appreciate clarity
on some queries noted above from local historians.
Ian Brady