Z class Melbourne tram
Encyclopedia
The Z class are a single-unit, bogie tram that operates in Melbourne
, Australia
. They were built by Comeng
, a manufacturing company in Dandenong, Victoria
, Australia
.
.
Their Internal refurbishment had less refurbished features than Z3s. Only seat pads and grab rails/anchors were replaced
at their plant in Dandenong
plant, being a significant improvement on the Z1- and Z2- class trams. 115 were built, 114 of which are in service. All are reliveried in either Yarra Trams
or all-over advertising livery
.
The Z3 class was an improvement over earlier Z1- and Z2-class trams, improvements including: having three doors per side (Z1 and Z2 trams have two doors per side), different electrical equipment and a new design of suspension giving improved ride quality. The trams operate from four depots (Brunswick, Essendon, Glenhuntly
, Malvern). In September 2007, the remaining Z3-class trams with analogue signage were refitted with digital signage, doing away with traditional rolling board route signs.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. They were built by Comeng
Commonwealth Engineering
The Commonwealth Engineering Company Limited is the brand name of a former Australian Engineering Company that designed Locomotives, Electrical Multiple Units , Diesel Multiple Units and Trams.-History:...
, a manufacturing company in Dandenong, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
The Z-class were introduced from the mid 1970s. The trams featured an orange and cream livery until the mid 1980s, when they were repainted into the Met’s green and gold. After privatisation of the tram network in 1999, some of the trams were repainted into the M>Tram livery, which was a green concept as well as featuring yellow ribboning around the tram, a large M> logo, and a blue roof. After M>Tram was taken over in 2004 the trams were allocated to Yarra Trams, where they refurbished and repainted the trams into their livery. All the Z3 trams (with the exception of all-over-advertising trams) have now been repainted into the Yarra Trams livery.Z1 class
The Z1-class were built from 1975 to 1979. 100 trams were built, most of which are now being withdrawn. Some have also been donated to tram museums in places such as BendigoBendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
.
Their Internal refurbishment had less refurbished features than Z3s. Only seat pads and grab rails/anchors were replaced
Z2 class
Fifteen Z2-class tram were built in 1978 and 1979, having little difference from the Z1 classes that were built. As with the Z1 class, Z2-class trams are now being withdrawn from service.Z3 class
Z3-class trams were introduced from 1979 to 1984 by ComengComeng
The Comeng train is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. They first appeared on the network in VicRail "teacup" livery in 1981 to replace the last of the then-60 year old Tait trains. More were ordered after the failed refurbishment and...
at their plant in Dandenong
Dandenong, Victoria
Dandenong is a suburb and major urban centre in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 30 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Situated on Dandenong Creek and mostly flat land at the foothills of Mount Dandenong, it is the main administrative centre for the City of...
plant, being a significant improvement on the Z1- and Z2- class trams. 115 were built, 114 of which are in service. All are reliveried in either Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the Melbourne tram network, which is fully owned and registered by the Victorian State Government. The current franchise is operated by a consortium named KDR Melbourne which consists of a partnership between French company Keolis and Australian company Downer EDI...
or all-over advertising livery
Wrap advertising
Wrap advertising is the marketing practice of completely or partially covering a vehicle in an advertisement or livery, thus turning it into a mobile billboard. This can be achieved by simply painting the vehicle surface, but it is becoming more common today to use large vinyl sheets as decals...
.
The Z3 class was an improvement over earlier Z1- and Z2-class trams, improvements including: having three doors per side (Z1 and Z2 trams have two doors per side), different electrical equipment and a new design of suspension giving improved ride quality. The trams operate from four depots (Brunswick, Essendon, Glenhuntly
Glenhuntly Tram Depot
Glenhuntly Tram Depot is located in South Caulfield, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.It is one of 8 depots operated in the Yarra Trams network. The depot was opened in 1923.- Yard layout :...
, Malvern). In September 2007, the remaining Z3-class trams with analogue signage were refitted with digital signage, doing away with traditional rolling board route signs.