BOOK LAUNCH
26 November 2018
Melbourne Tram Museum
Thank you to all who attented!
Detailed Launch Review
Mr Ian Cessford
26 November 2018
This is the author’s first non-fiction book about Melbourne’s interesting Tram network. It appears that Melbourne is home to the biggest, longest serving tram network in the world and the author’s book puts a case for why it’s become the most successful tram network in the world.
Melbourne’s network boasts around 450 trams of varying designs. The book provides quite a bit of detail on all the types of trams that have served Melbourne to date but also a cheeky critique of each type. Melbourne’s trams not only service Melbourne’s commuters but also provide; a free City Circle Tram and, up until October this year, the older Colonial Tramcar Restaurant trams. These have proved popular with both Melbournites and visitors to the city. There are detailed maps of the cities tram routes and details of where the “free” City Tram route operates. He outlines both the positive and negative aspects of a “free” tram service in the city centre.
If you are a history buff, there is a lot of accurately researched history about Melbourne’s trams you will certainly enjoy. The book starts quite simply with “what are trams”. That they started in the early 1800’s with “horse power” and later were tugged around by underground cables. He goes on to describe how trams have changed and how they are powered today.
The book provides lots of good historic information, dates and the chronology of the technology. Illustrations include some fabulous engineering drawings of old trams, descriptions of changes, and over 200 photographs.
A great deal of the book is dedicated to the detailed description and interesting ranking of each tram “type” through the ages from the authors perspective. Aymeric interestingly touches on the evolution of a special road rule – the notorious hook turn - to accommodate trams operating in the Melbourne City grid. At its base Aymeric describes how trams have, to a large degree, shaped the fabric of Melbourne.
Trams are, clearly one of Melbourne’s icons. Aymeric has attempted to explain; the special relationship between Melbourne, its inhabitants and its trams, its role in the city of Melbourne and touches on comparative services internationally. His explanation of Melbourne’s success with trams clearly comes with a wealth of first-hand experience.
There are illustrations of numerous historical documents which have been provided by the Melbourne Tram Museum. It is pleasure to see the hand drawn engineering drawings of the older trams.
Whilst the target audience of the book appears to be tourists and tram buffs, I feel the book is also a boon for locals alike, for it not only contains details (past and present) and fun facts about Melbourne’s trams, but it also provides a guide to help you get the most from your visit to Melbourne.
My favourite section of the book was the section on Art trams. This adds considerable moving colour and character to Melbourne’s streets. Again, there are plentiful colour photographs of some examples of tram art. Unlike many other cities, Melbourne trams are also used as large advertising boards for events or promotions.
The book is very easy-to-read and provides enough details to be interesting but not overly technical. It includes lots of facts and graphs ie: Graphs of growth in public transport vs cars. He does provide detail to provoke the argument as to why Melbourne’s trams are the world’s most successful. Aymeric delves in a small part as to future problems of population growth in Melbourne and the associated challenges for transportation, but more importantly the ever-growing role of trams in Melbourne’s future.
My second favourite part was where the author looks at various tram routes ie: route 96, Melbournes most scenic route. Again, there are some great photos of Melbourne. He has provided some trip advice on what are the highlights, and which are the better destinations for tourists and how to get there by tram – a great tool for tourists and locals.
Aymeric’s book is a worthy tram history resource. It would make for a great gift or souvenir from a visit to Melbourne. Whilst throughout the book it does put up some argument as to why Melbourne trams are “the most successful” compared to other tram networks worldwide, it would have pleased me if there was summary chapter at the end, for otherwise it provides an informative and easy-to-read chronicle of trams and networks in Melbourne over the last 160 years.
Melbourne’s network boasts around 450 trams of varying designs. The book provides quite a bit of detail on all the types of trams that have served Melbourne to date but also a cheeky critique of each type. Melbourne’s trams not only service Melbourne’s commuters but also provide; a free City Circle Tram and, up until October this year, the older Colonial Tramcar Restaurant trams. These have proved popular with both Melbournites and visitors to the city. There are detailed maps of the cities tram routes and details of where the “free” City Tram route operates. He outlines both the positive and negative aspects of a “free” tram service in the city centre.
If you are a history buff, there is a lot of accurately researched history about Melbourne’s trams you will certainly enjoy. The book starts quite simply with “what are trams”. That they started in the early 1800’s with “horse power” and later were tugged around by underground cables. He goes on to describe how trams have changed and how they are powered today.
The book provides lots of good historic information, dates and the chronology of the technology. Illustrations include some fabulous engineering drawings of old trams, descriptions of changes, and over 200 photographs.
A great deal of the book is dedicated to the detailed description and interesting ranking of each tram “type” through the ages from the authors perspective. Aymeric interestingly touches on the evolution of a special road rule – the notorious hook turn - to accommodate trams operating in the Melbourne City grid. At its base Aymeric describes how trams have, to a large degree, shaped the fabric of Melbourne.
Trams are, clearly one of Melbourne’s icons. Aymeric has attempted to explain; the special relationship between Melbourne, its inhabitants and its trams, its role in the city of Melbourne and touches on comparative services internationally. His explanation of Melbourne’s success with trams clearly comes with a wealth of first-hand experience.
There are illustrations of numerous historical documents which have been provided by the Melbourne Tram Museum. It is pleasure to see the hand drawn engineering drawings of the older trams.
Whilst the target audience of the book appears to be tourists and tram buffs, I feel the book is also a boon for locals alike, for it not only contains details (past and present) and fun facts about Melbourne’s trams, but it also provides a guide to help you get the most from your visit to Melbourne.
My favourite section of the book was the section on Art trams. This adds considerable moving colour and character to Melbourne’s streets. Again, there are plentiful colour photographs of some examples of tram art. Unlike many other cities, Melbourne trams are also used as large advertising boards for events or promotions.
The book is very easy-to-read and provides enough details to be interesting but not overly technical. It includes lots of facts and graphs ie: Graphs of growth in public transport vs cars. He does provide detail to provoke the argument as to why Melbourne’s trams are the world’s most successful. Aymeric delves in a small part as to future problems of population growth in Melbourne and the associated challenges for transportation, but more importantly the ever-growing role of trams in Melbourne’s future.
My second favourite part was where the author looks at various tram routes ie: route 96, Melbournes most scenic route. Again, there are some great photos of Melbourne. He has provided some trip advice on what are the highlights, and which are the better destinations for tourists and how to get there by tram – a great tool for tourists and locals.
Aymeric’s book is a worthy tram history resource. It would make for a great gift or souvenir from a visit to Melbourne. Whilst throughout the book it does put up some argument as to why Melbourne trams are “the most successful” compared to other tram networks worldwide, it would have pleased me if there was summary chapter at the end, for otherwise it provides an informative and easy-to-read chronicle of trams and networks in Melbourne over the last 160 years.