C class
(C, E, N & P classes - Maximum traction, bogie, drop-end and centre combination)
[14] Ballarat No. 38 outside depot
Nos: C(25-35), E(36-45), N(117-126), P(131-138)
Introduced: 1916 - 1917
Withdrawn: Scrapped or sold to State Electricity Commission in
mid 1940s
Electrics: 2 x 65hp GE 201G motors,
Size: 45ft 5.5in x 8ft 9in
Seating/Crush load: 52/??
The C and E classes were built for the
Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT),
and the N and P classes for the
Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT).
The Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board gave them these letter codes
when it took over the trusts.
In 1928, these codes were rationalised by the MMTB.
The C, E, N, and P classes are all Maximum Traction bogie, two-bogie
drop-centre saloon cars, so they were all re-designated C-class.
The Maximum Traction bogie is assymmetrical,
with larger wheels on the driven axle and smaller non-driving wheels.
In general, the larger wheels on each bogie are nearer the ends of the
tram. The bogies were Brill 22E (most of the single-truck trams in
Melbourne used Brill 21E trucks). To today's drivers, there is nothing
"maximum" about the traction at all - it is very easy to get wheels
to slip. They also have a tendency to jump the track, and need restraining
chains, like seatbelts, to hold them when they do. Still, the ride comfort
for the passengers would have been much greater than on the single-bogie
trams.
Preserved (old) C-class trams
In operating condition:
- C26 (originally PMTT-26,
at MMTB takeover became C26,
sold to the SECV 1948 and became Geelong No. ??,
in 1956 became Bendigo No. 5),
preserved as Bendigo No. 5 at the
Bendigo Tramways
- C35 (originally PMTT-35,
at MMTB takeover became C35,
in 1951 became Ballarat No. 40)
preserved as ??? at the
Ballarat Vintage Tramway
- E41 (originally PMTT-41,
at MMTB takeover became E41,
in 1928 re-designated C41,
in 1951 became Ballarat No. 38)
preserved as ??? at the
Ballarat Vintage Tramway
- E44 (originally PMTT-44,
at MMTB takeover became E44,
in 1928 re-designated C44,
in 1951 became Bendigo No. ??),
preserved as something similar to PMTT-44 at the
Bendigo Tramways
- E45 (originally PMTT-45,
at MMTB takeover became E45,
in 1928 re-designated C45,
in 1951 became Bendigo No. 18),
preserved as Bendigo 18 (now rebuilt to a saloon design without
drop-centre) at the
Bendigo Tramways
- N119 (originally HTT-13,
at MMTB takeover became N119,
in 1928 re-designated C119,
circa 1945-48 became Geelong No. 35,
later became Bendigo's second No. 1,
and later still became Ballarat's second No. 37),
preserved as Ballarat No. 37 at
Sydney Tramway Museum. This tram seems to have
been everywhere.
- N120 (originally HTT-14,
at MMTB takeover became N120,
in 1928 re-designated C120,
in 1947 sold to the SECV and became Geelong No. 33,
and later became Bendigo's 2nd No. 4? No. 2?),
preserved as Bendigo No. ?? at the
Bendigo Tramways
- N122 (originally HTT-16,
at MMTB takeover became N122,
in 1928 re-designated C122,
in 1947 sold to the SECV and became Geelong No. 32,
and later Bendigo's 3rd No. 3),
preserved as MMTB No. 122 at the
Bendigo Tramways
- N123 (originally HTT-17,
at MMTB takeover became N123,
in 1928 re-designated C123,
in 1945 was sold to the SECV and became Bendigo No. 23),
preserved as Bendigo No. 23 at the
Bendigo Tramways
- N126 (originally HTT-20,
at MMTB takeover became N126,
in 1928 re-designated C126,
in 1947 was sold to the SECV and became Geelong No. 34,
and later Bendigo's 3rd No. 2?? No. 4??) ,
preserved as Bendigo No. ?? at the
Bendigo Tramways
- P132 (originally HTT-26
at MMTB takeover became P132,
in 1928 re-designated C132,
in 1945 was sold to the SECV and became Ballarat No. 15,
later became Ballarat No. 36),
preserved as Ballarat No. 36 at the
Tramway Museum of Victoria
- P133, (originally HTT-27,
at MMTB takeover became P133,
in 1928 re-designated C133,
in 1947 became Bendigo No. 25),
preserved as Bendigo No. 25 at the
Bendigo Tramways
- P137 (originally HTT-31,
at MMTB takeover became P137,
in 1928 re-designated C137,
in 1947 was sold to the SECV and became Ballarat No. 34),
preserved as Ballarat No. 34 at the
at Australian Electric Transport
Museum
- P138, (originally HTT-32,
at MMTB takeover became P138,
in 1928 re-designated C138,
in 1945 became Bendigo No. 24),
preserved as MMTB 138 at the
Bendigo Tramways
Non-operational trams:
- E40 (originally PMTT-40,
at MMTB takeover became E40,
in 1928 re-designated C40,
in 1951 became Geelong No. ??),
is being restored as PMTT-40 at the
Tramway Museum of Victoria
- E42 (originally PMTT-42,
at MMTB takeover became E42,
in 1928 re-designated C42,
in 1951 became Ballarat No. 39)
at the
Ballarat Vintage Tramway
Thanks to Tim Blythman for information for this page.
[14] Thanks to Andrew Cox and the
Ballarat Vintage Tramway for this
photo. Photo taken by Andrew Cox at Ballarat Depot. Used by permission.