Tram Sheds and Cable Winding House, Rathdowne Street, North Carlton

From 9 February 1889 to 2 August 1936, Rathdowne Street had a cable tram service running between Elgin and Park Streets. The engine house containing the steam-driven cable winding mechanism was built on the corner of Rathdowne and Park Streets. The building was designed by Melbourne Tramways Trust architect Robert Gordon and constructed of brick on a bluestone base. The adjacent tram shed was designed by architect Frederick Williams and built by Robert Fraser of Parkville. Cable trams had their heyday in the 19th century, but lasted only a few decades into the 20th century. The cable winding mechanism was converted from steam to electric power in 1919, but the cable trams’ days were numbered. The last tram service along Rathdowne Street was on the evening of 2 August 1936, and motor buses commenced along the same route the next day. The tracks and cables were dug up and the full width of the road was given up to vehicle traffic. The median strip was created and planted with trees in the late 1970s, in order to slow down traffic. The old cable tram buildings had a variety of industrial uses and, more recently, have been converted to residential apartments.

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