26 November 2011 –

Work on W3 663 is now almost complete, with only a few minor touch-ups to the paintwork and a final interior varnish to be completed before it is ready to leave Bendigo to return to Haddon.

The completion of the signwriting and lining enhances the livery (thanks as always to Sign-A-Rama Bendigo) and the cream surrounds on the front destination boxes, as they were when built, give 663 a completely different look.

THANK YOU to members and friends who have contributed towards the work on 663 – your support is appreciated and has helped in ensuring a first class restoration job on the tram.

Further images of the work on 663 can be seen by clicking here.

23 April 2010 –

The exterior of W3 663 has now been painted and windows have been refitted.  The floor has been painted red in the saloons and grey (with green under the seats) in the dropcentre. 

Work has now halted pending sufficient funding to complete the refurbishment of the seats and internal fittings.  If funding cannot be raised within a couple of months, 663 will have to return to Haddon and have the finishing works completed as time and funds permit.

The MTPA still needs your support to complete the work on 663 – please click hereto download the donation appeal brochure.

Further images of the work on 663 can be seen by clicking here.

1 January 2010 –

All of the plywood has now been replaced, and the exterior of the roof sealed.

The interior is simply impressive as can be seen by the image at right.  To see varnished timber like this, it makes you wonder what they were thinking back in the 1960’s when they painted over it with Colorflek – though no doubt the varnish and plywood wasn’t in as good a condition as it is now.

3 June 2010 –

Following completion of P&MTT No. 84 (former Bendigo No. 16), 663 has now been moved from Road 1 into the Workshop where further work has been undertaken on removing the original roof.  Work will now progress at a steady rate, with the replacement plywood already on site ready for installation.

Further images of the work on 663 can be seen by clicking here.

MTPA General Manager Anthony Smith has been negotiating with Bendigo Tramways to determine the cost of completing some additional restoration work before 663 is returned to Haddon.

Donations towards the restoration of 663 will be gratefully received and will allow us to get as much work done on 663 in Bendigo as is possible.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible, and contact details for sending donations can be found on our Contact Us page.

25 February 2010 –

Work has commenced in Bendigo on removing the old plywood roof from W3 663. 

Initially some investigative work was undertaken to determine if it was feasible to patch the roof, but it soon became evident that the best course of action was to fully remove and replace all of the plywood.  This has the added benefit of making it easier to scrape the Colorflek paint from the roof ribs as this work can be done after the plywood is removed.

Further images of the work on 663 can be seen by clicking here.

26 October 2009

Through the generosity of a number of members and friends, the MTPA has been able to accelerate the restoration work on W3 663 by sending it to Bendigo Tramways for work to be undertaken on its roof structure.

663 was loaded and transported from Haddon to Bendigo on 26 October 2009 to allow Bendigo Tramways to accurately cost and quote on the work required.

Prior to 663’s departure, MTPA members removed much of 663’s interior fittings, such as seats and handrails, to allow restoration work on these items to be undertaken at Haddon while the roof work is being completed in Bendigo.

As work progresses on 663, further updates will be provided.  Technical details for 663 can be found on its page in the Our Tramcars section of the website, or by clicking here to link directly to the page.

Donations towards the restoration of 663 will be gratefully received, with donations of $2.00 or more being tax deductible.  Contact details for sending donations can be found on our Contact Us page.

On arrival at Haddon, 663 initially had to be stored outside resulting in some additional deterioration to the tram from its exposure to the weather, especially to its roof structure. 

W3 663 is currently being restored, and it is planned that on completion of its restoration that 663 will carry the 1930's MMTB colour scheme which features a lighter green colour than displayed on the other MMTB cars in the collection.