Welcome to Newman Plumbing

Doncaster & Templestowe Plumbing Experts Since 1988

Phone Newman Plumbing on: 9899 3442

City of Doncaster and Templestowe did not get its railway, it got the first electric tramway to be operated commercially in the southern hemisphere.

The tram was originally imported as a side show at the Melbourne Centenary Exhibition in 1888. When the exhibition was over the owners sold the idea of operating the tram as public transport to some people interested in land development in Doncaster and North Box Hill. These gentlemen formed a company called the Box Hill and Doncaster tramway Company.

Beginning at Box Hill, the company’s engineers laid their tracks across the paddock in a cleared swath which later became Tram Road. But not without trouble. Many of the farmers and market gardeners along the route strongly opposed the tramway. They feared that the activities of the land jobbers would result in higher rates without any compensating increase in the price of their products. When the verbal protests failed, they chased the workmen away or sooled their dogs on them. They tore up the tracks and chopped down the poles. The company invoked the protection of the law and got it. But it took them nearly two years to put the line through, and it cost a lot more than they had budgeted for.

The line was formally opened on 14th October, 1889, in the presence of a large gathering of parliamentarians, municipal dignitaries and curious spectators.

The Premier stayed away, perhaps wisely since his government had just thrown out one of the Doncaster-Templestowe railway schemes. But for the distinguished gentlemen who did accept invitations there was a grand banquet at the Tower Hotel and a free ride on the tram.

The first tram is described as an open six-bench car with reversible seat backs, running boards along each side and a passenger capacity of from 35 to 40. It was driven by a 15 horsepower motor, the electricity for which was generated in a power house along the route. Later a glassed-in car was put on the run.

For a while the tram made ten return trips each week day. The return fare to Box Hill cost seven and a half cents, and you could buy a combined rail and tram return ticket to Melbourne for fifteen cents. On holidays there were excursion fares, and on Easter Monday, 1882, the tram carried 1,500 passengers.

The first half-yearly balance sheet showed a profit of $116.70 and the directors faced the future with confidence. But the effects of the inflated land prices they helped to create caught up with them. The property owners along the route had surrendered strips of their land in return for shares in the company. But now the land was worth more than the shares, and some of them disputed the legality of the agreements. When argument failed they got out their axes and crowbars again. The company collapsed under the strain of trying to cope with the damage and satisfy the landowners.

But the directors were not deterred. They formed another company called the Doncaster and Box Hill Electric Road Company, with plans for extending the line along Williamsons Road to the junction of Heidelberg and Templestowe Roads.

The new company ran the tram between Doncaster and Box Hill until 1894 when the collapse of the land boom and the financial debacle reduced the takings almost to vanishing point. In desperation, the company offered to rent the whole plant to their Engineer, Mr H J Hilton, for ten cents a week. For two years Hilton struggled manfully to keep the line going, doing duty as manager, stoker, engine driver, dynamo attendant, armature winder and track repairer. It was a magnificent performance, defeated in the end by economic chaos of the times.

The last Doncaster tram ran on 6th January, 1896.

Newman plumbing are the experienced plumbers in Doncaster & Templestowe providing plumbing services to properties including:

• Blocked drains
• Hot water units
• Roof leaks
• Burst pipes
• Taps & Toilets
• Water jet drain cleaning
• Gas leaks

With knowledge in resolving plumbing issues that are common to Doncaster & Templestowe homes and businesses we are able to expertly help you with your plumbing issues. For a reliable and prompt Doncaster & Templestowe plumber contact Newman Plumbing on 9899 3442

Our Melbourne plumbing services cover the following areas:

Alphington Ashburton Ashwood Balwyn Balwyn East Balwyn North Blackburn Blackburn North Blackburn South Box Hill Box Hill North Box Hill South	Bulleen Burwood Burwood East Canterbury Camberwell Clifton Hill Collingwood Deepdene Doncaster Doncaster East Donvale Fitzroy	Forest Hill Glen Iris Glen Waverley Hawthorn Hawthorn East Ivanhoe Kew Kew East Mitcham Mont Albert Mont Albert North Mount Waverley	Nunawading Park Orchards Richmond Ringwood Surrey Hills Templestowe Templestowe Lower Vermont Vermont South Wantirna Wheelers Hill

 

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