TRAMWAY MUSEUM GAINS SUPPORT

What constitutes uniqueness and a cities identity? Melbourne has been
instantly identifiable by it's street furniture (trams) for well over 100
years. The most prominent tourism icon Melbourne has is trams! The
restaurant cars, green and City Circle W's still appear on Tourism Victoria
advertisements and Victorian made "The Secret Lives of Us" regularly has
street scenes with W's! With modern trams you may as well be any city
operating LRV's. Is this false advertising? Is Melbourne becoming an
anonymous city with no unique character? Melburnians are nostalgic about W's
because they are proud to have an identity and something "special" and
"different"! I for one like visiting Melbourne and it's unique charm. Don't
kill the charm, celebrate and enrich it!

Hopefully I'm reading this incorrectly and the new mooted Tramway Museum
isn't static!
David Cawood


http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,3345185%255E2862,0
0.html

TRAMWAY MUSEUM GAINS SUPPORT
By JOHN MASANAUSKAS, transport reporter
30nov01

THE State Government and Yarra Trams yesterday gave qualified support for a
museum to showcase some of Melbourne's neglected treasured trams.
Yarra chief executive officer Hubert Guyot said his company would consider
helping fund the project following yesterday's Herald Sun report on our
rotting heritage.
"I think it's very important to maintain the heritage and to have some of
these trams kept in good condition," he said.
But Mr Guyot cast doubt on public support for the city's operational W-class
trams, which are slowly returning to service following major brake repairs.
Mr Guyot confirmed all the trams would be back, saying "we are committed to
operate them, we have not a choice".
But when asked if he thought the historic W-class fleet was holding back
modernisation of the tram network, he said: "It's not my request, it's what
is the demand of my customers".
"And I think the commuters prefer to have modern trams for their trip than
old trams without air conditioning, without the comfort they can expect with
new trams".
Yarra Trams has introduced new $3 million French trams to Melbourne, which
look very different to traditional stock and have low-floor access for the
disabled.
Yarra has also built new tram superstops with detailed traveller
information.
RMIT University transport researcher Graeme Turnbull said Melburnians were
too nostalgic about W-class trams.
"While historically they may represent much value, their place in our
transport system is no longer viable," he said.
"Melbourne should follow the example set by cities overseas that run a
modern service and bring out historic trams for special occasions".
State Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said he expected to have a report
on Melbourne's forgotten tram heritage by early next year.
"I'm attracted to the idea of a tram museum. It would be very expensive, it
needs to be properly thought through," he said.
Mr Batchelor said some historic trams should be stored in better conditions
and others could be displayed by tourist and heritage groups.





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