Was it that long ago ?

Been reminiscing a lot about my first big trip away from home in August 1986. 21 years ago - sheeesh ! I took this pic of South Melbourne Depot - sadly no more, replaced by an incredibly ugly office block.

I love how the incandescent lights in the trams on their timber interiors make them look warm and inviting. No flouro lighting then.

We had the best time ever on that trip. Me and a few mates drove from Brisbane down to Melbourne. Saw lots of towns I'd never seen before - Goodoowindi, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Parkes, Bendigo, Ballarat and a few more besides. Then finally, Melbourne - it was run down, it was cold, but it had, and still has, TRAMS !!

My first ride on a W class tram was at night - the roads dark and glistening after rain. The driver flew through the empty streets of South Melbourne down to the bay. The connie was real chatty - not surprising as there were only one or two other passengers apart from us tram nuts. And that's what I really remember - how friendly just about everyone was. Tramway folk were pretty much one big family.

I also think trams have a civilising effect on cities. Being electric, when they stop at an intersection or a tram stop, they are absolutely quiet - not like buses that keep chugging. So quiet, you just HAVE to make conversation with total strangers to break the silence ! I love that about Melbourne.