Melbourne Restores Two Trams After Complex Repairs

Two Melbourne trams return to service after multi-year repairs from 2018 fire and collision

Yarra Trams Returns Two Rebuilt Trams to Service

Two Melbourne trams are returning to passenger service after years of extensive repairs following separate incidents in 2018. Yarra Trams has completed complex refurbishment work on B-class tram 2075 and D-class tram 5017, transit officials said. The projects required custom engineering and manufacturing to restore the damaged vehicles, with dozens of staff members contributing to the multi-year effort.

Complex Damage Required Years of Engineering Work

B-class tram 2075 suffered extensive fire and smoke damage in 2018 following a rare battery fault, requiring a full rebuild of some systems from the ground up. The approximately 30-year-old tram needed custom-designed and manufactured parts that are no longer in standard production. D-class tram 5017 was side-swiped by a large truck on Sydney Road in 2018, receiving complex structural damage along much of the vehicle. The collision damage required extensive engineering work to repair the tram's structural integrity.

Multiple Teams Collaborated on Refurbishment Projects

Preston Workshops' Rolling Stock Heavy Maintenance team led the refurbishment efforts, working alongside Rolling Stock Projects, Rolling Stock Additional Works, and Supply Chain management teams. The projects were extremely complex, officials said, with some systems requiring complete rebuilds. Team members gathered for a socially distanced barbecue to celebrate completing the work. Officials didn't specify the total cost of the refurbishments or provide detailed timelines for each phase of the repair work.

Both Trams Will Reenter Service Soon

Both trams will be reentering passenger service soon, transit officials said, though a specific date for their return wasn't provided. The agency typically conducts final testing and safety checks before returning refurbished vehicles to active service. Officials said the completion of these projects demonstrates the agency's commitment to maintaining its fleet despite the complexity of repairs.

Restored Trams Add Capacity to Melbourne Network

The return of both trams will restore capacity to Melbourne's tram network after years out of service. Riders can expect to see the refurbished vehicles operating on their regular routes once they're fully integrated back into service. Moovit provides real-time tracking for Yarra Trams routes throughout Melbourne, helping riders plan trips and monitor service updates.