New Preston Tram Depot Sights and Sounds

[@jeffrey3895]

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board used to conduct public tours of Preston Workshops. This video gives the impression of a vast storehouse with little evidence of anything much happening. The M&MTB tours included every facet of a tram overhaul. The entire complex was a hive of activity and noise. During the initial phase of privatization when two separate companies were awarded custody of the tramway, only half the fleet had access to Preston Workshops with tram roads at East Preston depot used as a paint shop and as a workshop to do structural overhauls of 'B' class trams. Thankfully sanity was restored with a change of government and the tramway once again functioned as one. This video is testament to a sane vision. Whilst we shall never again see a tram entirely constructed on site, we can at least expect our trams to be kept in good working order by what this video has shown. It was of special interest to see that tram with its entire cabin section removed. Not too difficult to redesign and replace the cabins with more legroom for the driver. A Union official with short legs was sent to sign off on the design of the cabin for the 'A' and 'B' class trams. Those cabins would never pass an ergonomic test for tall drivers with long legs. This video should restore faith in what Melbourne's tramway has become under the current franchise. However, this video fails to capture any essence of soul. Sadly it is something which is not compatible with compliance. Even the gong on the new trams is dull and dead compared to the cheerful ring of the older trams. New Preston tram depot occupies a valuable slice of inner suburban real estate. Thankfully it was never sold off for redevelopment. Hopefully that magnificent brick edifice and maize of track and trolley wire on St Georges Road will remain unchanged for another hundred years.