Driver's View Tram 64 St Kilda Junction to East Brighton

[@redbluff77]

I lived in Melbourne 25 years ago. The scenery in this video is felt nostalgic for me.

[@tressteleg1]

😊. Nothing much has changed along there.

[@rodevans602]

Thanks for another great ride. This one was bitter sweet! For many years Number 64 was my home tram. I lived on Dandenong Rd in my teens , and later off Hawthorn Rd. All along this route are family connections going back over 100 years….. Good times!

[@tressteleg1]

I’m pleased I could bring back some old memories. 😊

[@timosha21]

I'm a tram and I approve this video ding ding!!

[@tressteleg1]

😊😄

[@luizaugustoramos2520]

Tks for another great video @tressteleg1! As I lived close to St Kilda Rd, the 64 was one of my regulars, but never got a chance to ride on it all the way to the terminus. Now, thanks to you, I can tick that off my bucket list.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍. Maybe before too long when Covid finally leaves us alone, you will be able to return and cross the entire trip off your bucket list, instead of just gently crossing it out with a pencil😄

[@luizaugustoramos2520]

@@tressteleg1 I'm definitely looking forward that! Australia has evolved so much in PT since I left in 2016, my bucket list is really long... includes Sydney Metro, GC light rail (wasn't running the entire length back then), Sydney's L2 and L3...

[@luizaugustoramos2520]

... of course Melbourne's HCMT and a last ride on the Comengs too. As I heard LATAM is soon resuming their flights from Chile to Melbourne and Sydney, I plan to return next year.

[@tressteleg1]

@@luizaugustoramos2520 I have yet to ride the much-touted HCMT myself. There was a number of serious problems to resolve before they could run. Presumably they are OK now. Just how much these, the ‘Metro’ tunnel (which has nothing to do with Metro trains in the normal sense) and other rail expansion projects will be needed after Covid remains to be seen. Working from home is sure to cut riders. If you see the chance to get to the Gold Coast, let me know a bit in advance. Maybe we can meet up.

[@luizaugustoramos2520]

@@tressteleg1I will let you know for sure, it'll be a pleasure!

[@sbalogh53]

This tram and the #5 pass by my front door. They are so convenient to get into the city or to visit a friend who lives on St Kilda Rd. One thing that annoys me just a little bit is that the #5 and the #64 always seem to come in pairs. It would be so much better heading to the city if they came more spread out from each other. Even so, waiting 10-15 minutes for a tram is no big deal and I can usually time their arrival when I step out my front door. The trams are one of the reasons I love living here. Thanks for the ride.

[@tressteleg1]

Sometimes the output from timetable writers leaves a lot to be desired. And the safest way is to see where is the next approaching tram is on tramTRACKER or equivalent before leaving home. I suppose you know that at nights and some other times now the 64 is the shuttle service And the 5 always goes all the way through.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Awesome video! Love the private right of way section and speed.😀

[@tressteleg1]

If you would like to see a bit more of this Dandenong Rd track, some years ago a friend let me drive his tram along here, years after I left the job 😄😆 Keeping my Hand In with a Z3 in Melbourne kzbin.info/www/bejne/boqYg2unptSen9U

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@tressteleg1 thanks😀

[@tressteleg1]

I will check with you in a week and make sure you have watched them all 😁😆

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@tressteleg1 Thank you. I watched your operating a Sydney tram.

[@DanielDiaz-um1xd]

Used to catch the tram to flinders after school, fellow school mate used to get off at stop 31 (queen's way) but drivers invariably went express as they didn't believe the bell & thought it was for the junction

[@tressteleg1]

If a passenger pulled the stop cord too late, we did not have to stop. Otherwise those drivers were either lazy or just wanted to give some school kid a bit of a work. Quite unacceptable.

[@waynewhite2323]

Thank You Tressteleg1 ...I do love havin' a Melbourne tram ride while living here in Western Australia.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@peterausfranken]

East Brighton tram line started in 1892 as a cable tram line from Flinders Street to Brighton Beach. Between 1923 and 1925 the line was converted for electric trams. Fun Fact also. East Brighton terminus ist the most southern point that a active tram line went on our world

[@tressteleg1]

I think you are confused somewhere along the way. The cable tramline along Saint Kilda Road ended about halfway between Carlisle Street and Balaclava Road. This was called Brighton Road, and is an awfully long way from Brighton Beach. However the Victorian railways previously had a line which ended at Brighton Beach, nothing to do with cable trams or the tramways Board.

[@peterausfranken]

@@tressteleg1 Oh then i was on wrong way. The tram line von Vic Rail between St Kilda Railway Station and Brighton Beach was a compromise. Vic Rail wanted to extend the train line from St Kilda but a new train line would take a lot of land because of the hill after St Kilda station. A lot of local politicians had land there in this time and they wanted to make as much money as they can.

[@tressteleg1]

It is easy to get things a bit wrong when living afar. Certainly the St a Kilda snobs would not have wanted dirty steam trains puffing their way up that hill, and if it was narrow between buildings as it is today, there would have been no room for a line anyway. But eventually the trains did get to Brighton and beyond, but via another route.

[@deepnation10009]

This was absolutely awesome!

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@kevinshelly6853]

Great video as usual I watched East Brighton to Junction first then the new one.

[@tressteleg1]

Glad you enjoyed the ride both ways. 😊

[@lauriewhite8153]

20.01 used to be where the best Train Shop in Melbourne was!! then they moved to North Brighton. Across the road was a fish and chips shop (not sure if it's still there). The food was so greasy, I could have rubbed it all over the Tram Tracks and the tram would run like new

[@tressteleg1]

I went there once or twice and wondered just what happened to it. If you covered the rail in all that grease, the main effect would be a tram driver unable to stop where he wanted. 😊😄😆

[@sbalogh53]

@@tressteleg1 ... drop the sand!

[@tressteleg1]

@@sbalogh53 I guess you are referring to all the drivers who did that just there. At times the trams drop the sand automatically.

[@sbalogh53]

@@tressteleg1 ... there is always a lot of sand at my tram stop on Dandenong Rd. I expect a cleanup crew come along every few months or whenever to clean it up.

[@tressteleg1]

@@sbalogh53 At least in the city bound direction, trams are liable to automatically put sand down coming into stops any time there is light rain after a dry spell, and when the autumn leaves are around.

[@noddy8607]

Many thanks. I enjoyed the ride.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@javierguidounicaud6621]

Interesting, in this cab ride I've seen two roads with names concerning the Crimea War. I.e. Balaclava and Inkerman. Thank.you for this short video.

[@tressteleg1]

I was aware of Balaclava, had no idea about Inkerman.

[@javierguidounicaud6621]

@@tressteleg1 on 12.10 2004, Royal.Mail.issued a set.of 6 stamps for the 150.aniversary of the Crimea War. Inkerman is mentioned as battle.

[@tressteleg1]

@@javierguidounicaud6621 Okay. I’m sure that it is correct. I was quite familiar with the name, I just assumed it was named after somebody, but obviously not.

[@andyrob3259]

Places in the entire area are named after the war. Raglan st, Sebastopol st, Nightingale st etc. I live not far. I assume they may have developed round round that time. Mid 19th century. The Ballarat suburb of Sebastopol was similarly named at the time.

[@javierguidounicaud6621]

@@andyrob3259 thank you for all coments.

[@andyrob3259]

Always thought the east Brighton terminus could be extended across the Nepean highway to make it more useful for those on the other side or even turn and run down the highway (it’s wide enough) and maybe interchange at Moorabbin station.

[@tressteleg1]

There are several of the older lines which probably could well be extended, but there seems to be little appetite to do so. My casual observations are that, at least when I rode, between Glenhuntly Rd and the terminus there were few passengers, so maybe official reasoning is ‘why throw more money at a loser?’ Anyone living within reach of Moorabbin station would surely take the much faster train to the city

[@demmyonline]

My recollection is that this line from Glenhuntly Road to East Brighton was little used and I always wondered why they kept it going. There's really nothing at the East Brighton terminus to warrant a tram and with most of the people living on the southernmost section of the route owning cars, few would want to use the service. Maybe continuing the line to Moorabbin, or even Sandringham could be an option.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks for sharing.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@mitchul]

What purpose do the right-most set of signals at St Kilda junction serve? I know the top left signal is/was a white left arrow, but what about the three on the right? I don't think I've ever seen them in use.

[@tressteleg1]

Despite having driven trams through there to Saint Kilda Beach some years ago, I don’t particularly recall what the lights on the right meant but I expect they would have shown the same as the working lights on the left. However for trams coming off Queensway, lights facing east on that post certainly did work, advising trams on the 5 and 64 whether it was safe to turn right or not.

[@sbalogh53]

I have seen a white vertical line and a white diagonal line on two of those signals. Perhaps they indicate the direction that the track has been switched? I will try to take more notice next time I am in that area.

[@thelionking219]

Good one! 👍🏿 🌏🌍🌎🗺️

[@tressteleg1]

Seems you like them all. 😊

[@Bobrogers99]

I agree, there's no reason not to insert a 7-second tram light at some of those intersections.

[@tressteleg1]

There is a slight possibility that a T could have come up at that earlier opportunity and that the tram just got there a second too late to trigger it at that time, or maybe the option does not exist. The traffic light controllers have had about 80 years to perfect the art of delaying trams as much as possible.

[@gardenman3]

The tram does not stop unless there are passengers?

[@tressteleg1]

True. In fact if you want to get off, you have to pull a cord or press a button. In fact the timetable relies on the driver not having to stop at every stop in offpeak times.

[@DooverLackey]

Im midway through a trainee train driver application with metro. These jobs train or tram are all i think about these days

[@tressteleg1]

Good Luck with your training on the trains! (ha ha) You have probably seen all of these, but if not, this may help with your on - road knowledge. Melbourne - Driver's View Trains kzbin.info/aero/PLLtOIHp49XNDtaNr2H41P2th0S56s6bIH

[@DooverLackey]

@@tressteleg1 Thank you sir these vids plus victorian drivers view vids fill my recommended page haha, I'm attempting to prepare for further psychometric tests with practice tests so hopefully that helps too. Any idea what may be involved with the psychomotor test? Maybe its cheating if I know haha

[@tressteleg1]

I understand your concern because of the importance of passing these tests to realise your dreams. I have read in the past that these sorts of tests are a load of old BS and that many present day good drivers would fail. The present drivers I know got the job before this rubbish was required. I have just two thoughts that may be of help you. One may be to seek out newer drivers who have had to go through these tests themselves. Possibly younger looking guys may be a good starting point. The only other thought I can think of is that you find some company that does these tests, and sit one at your own expense to get a feel for what is involved with the understanding that they will guide you with any mistakes you have made. Good Luck!

[@DooverLackey]

@@tressteleg1 Thanks for your help mate, I just contacted an old friend from facebook who managed to get a job with Vline a couple of years ago. A little different but still worth a shot! Also I'll loiter down at one of the Metro depots and try snag a convo with someone down there. Cheers again!

[@tressteleg1]

That is a good move. There could well be plenty of tests so the chance of finding from your friend all about the exact test you will be doing is slim, but knowing the general concept could help a lot. A good place to buttonhole drivers is when they perch on that handrail at FSS overlooking the station, behind the shops.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Greetings Tress. Can I call you that?? I don't know your name . Just wanted to let you know that I watched all the videos you wanted me to watch Very enjoyabke!! Very informative. Thanks so much😀😀😀♥️♥️

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks. I have read all your comments although I don’t have time to reply to them all one by one. I’m pleased I have been able to fill in some time for you. 👍😊

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@tressteleg1 Thanks. Always a pleasure.😀 Oh is your name Tress? I prefer to call people by name.

[@autum6764]

From 15:00 it feels like the tram is going quite fast

[@tressteleg1]

They are governed to around 60km/h so the driver is finally able to safely go that fast, I would say.

[@heathertruskinger6214]

Out of interest. The East Brighton Terminus. .... Is it close to a beach ? Just asking for when I next visit Melbourne

[@tressteleg1]

You could walk it, but you would need to be rather fit, and not something to tackle on a warm day. You are much better off catching the Sandringham, train with Brighton Beach Station possibly the closest to the water.

[@heathertruskinger6214]

@@tressteleg1 thanks, I will remember that.

[@sbalogh53]

The #16 tram travels along Swanston St in the city and passes St Kilda beach along The Esplanade then heads east along Carlisle St. The #96 tram travels along Bourke St in the city and also travels along The Esplanade terminating in nearby Acland St which is also a big tourist area, near Luna Park. The #12 tram travels along Collins St in the city, passes not far from Southern Cross Station, then eventually travels all along Park St in Middle Park giving easy access to all of the Middle Park beaches and St Kilda beach. Park St runs parallel to the shoreline and is only 150m from the beaches. St Kilda Beach and Middle Park beaches are a very popular tourist areas on Port Philip Bay. The beaches near the Brighton Beach station on the Sandringham train line might be less crowded.

[@deborshikashyap6745]

I applied for part time tram driver but they rejected me can you please tell me how to get approved?? Also I provided Resume

[@tressteleg1]

Did they give you any reason for this? I believe they give all sorts of stupid tests which really have nothing to do with being a good tram driver. I suggest you get your resume checked by an employment agency or whoever goes through those and check out you have not put yourself down somewhere. I can’t help you further as I have not been in the workforce since 1994. Also in the next year or two the operating contract is up for renewal, and a different company may get to operate the tramway. Keep an eye on that.

[@dallelassaad5883]

Can you an updated route 19 & 109، رplease

[@tressteleg1]

What has changed that needs updating?

[@EJP286CRSKW]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the name of the road between St Kilda Junction and Chapel St. It is variably known as Queen's Way, Dandenong Rd, and Princes Highway. To me (and to the signage) Queen's Rd starts under St Kilda Jn going west, Dandenong Rd goes east from same place, and the whole thing is Princes Higway all around the country. I remember when all this was built in the early 1960s, as I used to change from the train at Windsor Station to the #5 tram on the way home from school. Formerly Dandenong Rd went along Wellington St to St Kllda Junction, biggest bottleneck in Melbourne, very thin six way junction, Punt Rd running straight into Barkly St, Wellington St into Fitzroy St, and St Kilda Rd into High St St Kilda, the most congested street in Melbourne if not Australia.

[@tressteleg1]

Queens Rd certainly commences on the western side of Saint Kilda Road, but every source I have checked, including my 1990s Melway, shows the roadway between Saint Kilda Junction and Chapel Street to be Queens Way. The Princess Highway commences at Broadway, Sydney and eventually reaches Queensway via a coastal route. Between towns is called that, through towns it makes use of existing streets which already had their own names. And when Queens way was first opened, making a new bit of road, I never heard it caught anything but Queens Way. I first visited Melbourne in 1965 to see the trams, but as a visitor was unaware of the big changes coming to Saint Kilda junction so unfortunately never took any photographs of it as it was, but on a later visit did take photographs of trackwork taking place in Saint Kilda Road leading to the junction. New trackwork was more exciting than recording the old situation which would soon disappear. And so I never got any photographs of Wellington Street but did get photographs of widening Saint Kilda Road south of the junction. Rows of old shops and things were pulled down.

[@EJP286CRSKW]

The work west of Chapel St punching Queensway under the junction was 1963 at the very latest, as I left that school next year, but i seem to remember it was 1961. There was further work on the Junction itself for quite a few years more, such as removing the triangular Junction Hotel and shops on both sides to allow widening of High St St Kilda. I've driven along the old High St myself so that must have been 1970s, as I got my driving licence in late 1969.

[@tressteleg1]

According to this link, no work was started before 1966 and that fits in with my own observations. I first went to Melbourne in March 1965 and I would have taken photos of any trackwork. Sometimes our recollections can be proved incorrect, in my case even by videos I took myself. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Kilda_Junction

[@DavidWilliams7037A]

@@tressteleg1 Thats what I remember. I can remember the junction before the underpass was built, and when trams ran down Wellington Street before Queens Way was constructed. And, if I recall, L class trams used to service the 64 route.

[@tressteleg1]

From what I have seen in photos, all the L class were at Glenhuntly in the 60s. I later got to drive one or two at South Melbourne.