East Burwood tram extension

[p...@bigpond.com]

Today (12 July 1978) marks 48 years since the opening of the first stage of the East Burwood extension in Melbourne. I remember riding the first trip from Gilmour Street along with Gavin “Guard” Young and several other enthusiasts.

Today I checked AI and the following summary was gleaned.

Paul in Melbourne

Melbourne Tram Route 75: A Consolidated Historical Overview

1. Origins and Route Numbering

Before 1978, the Burwood Highway tram line terminated at Warrigal Road, Burwood and operated as Route 74. A separate number, Route 75, was used only for short workings to Hartwell. This numbering arrangement continued until the major extension works of July 1978.

 

2. The 1978 Burwood Highway Extension (Warrigal Road → Middleborough Road)

12 July 1978 — First Stage: Gilmour Street

The first stage of the extension opened on 12 July 1978, extending Route 74 eastward from Warrigal Road to Gilmour Street, Burwood. This was Melbourne’s first major tramway extension since the 1950s, marking a renewed commitment to tram network growth after decades of stagnation.

Fleet:

W‑class trams operated to Gilmour Street for one week only (12–18 July).

Their use ended permanently on this corridor after 18 July 1978.

19 July 1978 — Second Stage: Middleborough Road

The full extension to Middleborough Road, East Burwood opened on 19 July 1978. With this commissioning:

Route 74 was discontinued,

Route 75 became the full through‑service, replacing its former role as a short‑working number.

This date marks the formal beginning of Route 75 as Melbourne’s long east–west tram corridor.

Fleet:

Z‑class trams replaced the W‑class fleet from 19 July onward.

Z3‑class trams later became common through the 1980s and 1990s.

 

3. 1993 Extension: Middleborough Road → Blackburn Road

On 8 July 1993, Route 75 was extended further east to Blackburn Road. This extension served growing residential areas and strengthened the Burwood Highway corridor as a major transport spine.

Fleet:

Z and Z3 class trams remained dominant.

A‑class trams began appearing occasionally during this period.

 

4. 2002 Extension: Blackburn Road → Vermont South

The next major extension opened on 19 July 2002, taking Route 75 to its present terminus at Vermont South (Burwood Highway / Blackburn Road). This was Melbourne’s first significant tramway extension since the 1978 works.

Although originally planned to continue to Knox City Shopping Centre, the final stage was not built.

Fleet:

B2‑class trams became the primary fleet on Route 75.

A‑class trams continued to operate on selected runs.

5. 2003 Vermont South Transport Interchange

On 6 May 2003, the Vermont South Transport Interchange (VSTI) opened. This facility provided:

coordinated bus–tram transfers,

improved passenger amenities,

and a formal terminus layout designed to support future expansion.

The interchange was built with the expectation of strong demand for onward travel to Knox City.

6. The Unbuilt Extension to Knox City

Community Support

Following the 2002 extension, there was strong local support for completing the tram line to Knox City Shopping Centre, the major regional hub for Melbourne’s outer east.

Local councils, traders, and residents advocated for the extension, arguing that:

Vermont South was an incomplete terminus,

Knox City was the natural end of the corridor,

and tram‑based transport would better serve the region’s growing population.

Government Decision

The Victorian Government ultimately declined to build the tram extension, citing:

cost considerations,

road‑space constraints,

and a preference for bus‑based solutions in outer suburban areas.

Instead, a new high‑frequency bus service was introduced.

7. Knox Transit Link (Route 732 Supplement)

Introduction — 23 July 2005

To compensate for the unbuilt tram extension, the government launched the Knox Transit Link on 23 July 2005.

This service:

operates as part of Route 732,

supplements the full Box Hill ↔ Upper Ferntree Gully route,

and provides a dedicated Vermont South ↔ Knox City connection.

Operating Pattern

Runs seven days a week, from early morning until late at night.

Originally timetabled to meet every Route 75 tram at Vermont South.

Some lightly patronised early‑morning and late‑night trips were later discontinued, but the core high‑frequency service remains.

Purpose

The Knox Transit Link preserves the functional connection between Route 75 and Knox City, even without a tram extension. It remains a key example of Melbourne’s shift toward bus‑based outer‑suburban transport solutions.

8. Fleet Evolution Summary:

Pre‑1978             W‑class Route 74 to Warrigal Road

12–18 Jul 1978 W‑class One week only to Gilmour Street

From 19 Jul 1978             Z‑class   Ws withdrawn; Zs take over

1980s–1990s     Z, Z3, some A‑class          Z3s become common

2000s–present  B2 (majority), A‑class (some)      Standard Route 75 fleet

9. Consolidated Timeline:
12 Jul 1978         Route 74 extended to Gilmour Street; W‑class trams operate for one week

19 Jul 1978         Full extension to Middleborough Road opens; Route 75 replaces Route 74

8 Jul 1993           Extension to Blackburn Road

19 Jul 2002         Extension to Vermont South

6 May 2003        Vermont South Transport Interchange opens

23 Jul 2005         Knox Transit Link introduced (Route 732 supplement)

 

[Graeme Cleak]

Paul,

Yes SW6. 857 seems to have been the first car, out from Camberwell Depot, to do  the first trip to ‘Spencer St’.

Were any other TDU types on board?

Graeme Cleak.

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[Geoffrey Dean]

I was with my then wife.

Geoffrey.

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[Mal Rowe]

On 12/07/2026 11:46, Graeme Cleak wrote:
> Yes SW6. 857 seems to have been the first car, out from Camberwell
> Depot, to do  the first trip to ‘Spencer St’.
> Were any other TDU types on board?
>

Peter & Patti Duckett were likely to have been on board.

I don't have proof, but I do have a pic of the proprietors of "The Model
Dockyard" standing on the new track.

Mal Rowe - sharing a pic from the collection of the Melbourne Tram Museum

[David McLoughlin]

>  Today (12 July 1978) marks 48 years since the opening of the first stage of the East Burwood extension in Melbourne. I remember riding the first trip from Gilmour Street along with Gavin “Guard” Young and several other enthusiasts.

I recall that the MMTB began construction at the Middleborough Road end, so as to try to ensure it could not be cancelled along the way if they started at Warrigal Road.

I trust this is more than an urban myth.

A pity the Vermont South extension was not begun from Knox City, for that is where it was going to go before the politicians cancelled it at Vermont South.

 

[p...@bigpond.com]

No; Peter and Patti weren't there! They tended to keep to themselves in their retirement and were rarely seen at "enthusiast" events.

They welcomed guests to their home at Caulfield North. By appointment only. Callers were not welcome.

Paul

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