Melbourne W2 Class No 294

294 just arrived at St Kilda Beach (SA) 294 ready to depart St Kilda Beach (SA)

This car is one of 60 that was built in Adelaide by Holden's Motor Body Builders at Woodville for the MMTB. It was built as a W Class, bogie drop-centre combination tram. There were a total of 200 of these trams built, the other 140 being built in various locations in Melbourne.

The seating layout in these trams proved somewhat awkward and unsatisfactory, so between 1928 and 1933 the seating in the drop centre section of the cars was converted to the superior layout of the new W2 class then being built. The car underwent a number of other minor modifications during its operational life, and it was withdrawn from service in 1969.

It was purchased by the Museum, arriving on site on 6th April 1977. During 1979 it was brought back to its 1960s appearance. Following restoration the car took part in the Glenelg Jubilee Celebrations in December 1979, and thus became the first tram in Melbourne livery to operate on the streets of Adelaide.