W-CLASS TRAM, MELBOURNE

The W-class design tram, first introduced in 1923, was an outstanding success, and has been the mainstay of the Melbourne tram system for the bulk of the 20th century. It is a two-bogie, drop-centre design, which has had many variants over the years. The oldest W-class tram still in active service was built in 1938. Originally, W-class was the term given to those trams built before the W1 was introduced, but now the name refers to all the variants as a group. Some of the trams are denoted SW (for sliding doors).

The tram is on La Trobe St, going past The RMIT University buildings, which include the grand old corner edifice, the Old Magistrate's Court. It was opened on 20 January 1914, and served the City for 81 years, before a new Magistrates' Court building was opened on William Street in 1995. Notable trails conducted at the court include that of Ned Kelly, Squizzy Taylor, and members of the Eureka Stockade. The court stands at the corner of La Trobe and Russell Sts.

This post is part of the Friday Greens meme,
and also part of the Skywatch Friday meme.