Fwd: [TramsDownUnder] Melbourne route numbers in Perth

On 13/01/2026 14:53, 'Greg Sutherland' via TramsDownUnder wrote:

Well NSW tramways, who never had route numbers, were still able to carry over o million passengers per day in Sydney for decades.  Initial 'long distance' destination signalling was by destination colours and symbols with scrip tdetails to be seen on closed approach.

Did any other Australian tramway network have route numbers?

Brisbane, as I recall, had destination numbers.

Route numbers were partly an aid to easy recognition at a distance and to enable those who could not read to catch the right tram.

• Melbourne cable trams used coloured panels and fittings on the tram for this purpose.
• The Essendon trams used large single letters, M for Maribyrnong River, K for Keilor Rd and R for Racecourse.
• Adelaide, P&MTT and Coburg copied Sydney and used coloured destination signs.

P&MTT introduce route numbers in 1913 as their system expanded.

Mal Rowe attaching the official drawing for the MB&CTT original destination roll.