The Z-class are single-unit bogie trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. Between 1975 and 1983, 230 trams spanning three sub-classes were built by Comeng, Dandenong. The design was based on two similar Gothenburg tram models, and a prototype built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. While the Z1 and Z2-class trams were very similar, the Z3-class had significant design changes.
Since introduction they have had a variety of liveries, and modifications. The Z1 and Z2-class trams have been retired, with 100 Z3-class trams remaining in service.
History
When Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) staff were sent to Europe in 1965 to investigate other tramway operations, they took interest in Swedish trams, and upon return in 1966 drew up specifications, and had a timber mockup built. This mockup was to be the basis for a new tram design for Melbourne. The MMTB approved of the design, and in 1972 requested a prototype be constructed, the result was PCC 1041 being built at Preston Workshops. It was 'European in appearance' and utilised some components bought new, and many recycled from an earlier prototype tram, PCC 980. Prototype PCC 1041 became the basis of the Z-class trams, influenced by the M28 design running in Gothenburg, Sweden. PCC 1041 was to be launched by Premier Rupert Hamer on 26 August 1973, but the tram failed at the launch in front of the media. Due to constant electrical failures, PCC 1041 was infrequently used and was out of service between April 1975 and October 1976. PCC 1041 was finally withdrawn in 1984.
Despite the failure of PCC 1041, 100 Z1-class trams were ordered. Between 1974 and 1983, a total of 230 Z1 to Z3-class trams were built by Comeng at Dandenong.
Between 1995 and 1999, the remaining 106 Z1s and Z2s were refurbished by Goninan. The bodies were overhauled in an area of Preston Workshops allocated to Goninan, and the bogies were sent to Goninan's Auburn, New South Wales facility. On all except four, the flap type destination displays and route number indicators were replaced by dot-matrix displays.
When the Melbourne tram network was privatised in August 1998, M>Tram was allocated 94 Z1s, 12 Z2s and 84 Z3s, and Yarra Trams received 31 Z3s. Yarra Trams later transferred its Z3s to M>Tram in 2002 as the C class trams arrived to replace them. Yarra Trams’ former units were either refurbished and repainted in M>Tram livery or left in the former Met Green & Yellow livery after their transfer to M>Tram
It was envisaged that the delivery of the C and D class trams would allow for the Z1 and Z2s to be retired after the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but rising patronage levels necessitated the retention of 30 Z1 and three Z2s until the E class trams entered service from 2014. Half of those remained in service in December 2015, and the last were withdrawn in April 2016.
In late 2007, the Z3s with analogue signage were fitted with digital signage, replacing the original rolling route destination displays.
Liveries
The Z1 and Z2s were delivered in a livery of marigold (orange) with oriental gold roof; the first four or so were numbered with W2 gold-and-black transfers, but were later changed to the same off-white-and-black as carried by rest of the Z-type in Marigold or Deep Yellow livery. The Z3s were delivered in a livery of deep yellow (pale orange) with a burmese gold roof. For both liveries, the window-level panels were painted off-white (officially "string"), and skirt panels below floor-level were chocolate brown to match the bogies and wheels. From Z3 223 onwards, all were delivered in the Metropolitan Transit Authority's olympic green and wattle yellow livery.
Subclasses
The initial 80 were classified as the 'Z class. After modifications were made to the suspension, the next 20 entered service as the Z1 class. As the first 80 received these modifications, they were reclassified as Z1s. The next two batches were delivered as the Z2 and Z3s'.
Z1-class
In 1972 Rupert Hamer became Premier of Victoria, promising new trams, which had been highlighted as needed in the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan. Comeng, in anticipation of a tender, dispatched workers to Europe who, knowing of the fondness within the MMTB of the Swedish tram design, acquired the plans for the Gothenburg M29 tram from Hägglund & Söner. It was understood that ASEA would supply the electrical equipment, as they had been involved in the supply of equipment for the Gothenburg M28 which was almost identical to the Gothenburg M29 trams, and had recently acquired the rolling stock division of Hägglund & Söner.