Maidstone tram depot
.jpg) Maidstone tram depot entrance, July 2026 | |
Interactive map of Maidstone tram depot | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Corner Hampstead & Williamson Roads, Maidstone, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°46′34″S 144°52′40″E / 37.776186°S 144.877641°E |
| Characteristics | |
| Owner | VicTrack |
| Operator |
|
| Type | Melbourne trams |
| Roads |
|
| Rolling stock | G class |
| Routes served | 57, 59, 82 |
| History | |
| Opened |
|
The Maidstone tram depot is a tram maintenance and stabling facility on the Yarra Trams network in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located on Hampstead Road near the intersection with Williamson Road in Maidstone, in Melbourne's inner west.
Construction of the depot began in 2023 to support Melbourne’s new fleet of G‑class trams, with the first tram delivered to the site in September 2025 for testing and commissioning.[1] Linking the depot to the tram network required the construction of short section of new double track along Hampstead Road, connecting with tram route 82 in Williamson Road.
History
Site history
The site had a number of previous uses. The Defence Department established an explosives factory there in 1942, to support arms manufacture during World War II. In the 1950s, some of the site was occupied by temporary accommodation for migrants, as part of Australia's post-war immigration programme. Following the cessation of supported migrant programs in 1982, part of the site was used for the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre, until it was closed in 2018.[2] From 1989 until 2016, the former migrant accommodation facilities were used by Victoria University for student housing.[3]
Use as a tram depot
In November 2021, the Department of Transport announced that a new tram depot would be built on the site, to support the introduction of the "Next Generation Tram" fleet (later designated G‑class).[4][5][6]
Construction began in 2023, carried out by a John Holland–led alliance responsible for civil works, track installation, and depot buildings.[7] Track installation along Williamson Road commenced in late 2023, with the connection to Route 82 completed in mid‑2025. The first G‑class tram (G1.001) arrived at the depot on 12 September 2025.[8]
The depot is expected to enter full operational service in 2026.[3]
Future expansion
The depot was designed with long‑term expansion capacity. The stabling yard includes provision for additional tracks, and the workshop building can be extended to accommodate future tram classes or increased maintenance demand. The Victorian Government has indicated that the site may support future network extensions or fleet upgrades beyond the G‑class program.[9]
Design and facilities
The Maidstone tram depot was designed as a modern, high‑capacity maintenance and stabling facility for the G‑class fleet. The site includes 11 maintenance and stabling tracks, a heavy maintenance workshop, automated inspection systems, and a wheel lathe capable of servicing low‑floor trams.[10]
Sustainability features include:
- rooftop solar photovoltaic systems
- rainwater harvesting for tram washing and landscaping
- recycled and low‑carbon construction materials
- energy‑efficient LED yard lighting
- noise‑reducing track and building treatments
The workshop building contains maintenance pits, overhead gantries, automated lifting equipment, and digital diagnostic tools. Staff facilities include training rooms, operational control spaces, amenities, and secure parking.[3]
Construction
Major construction works included:
- demolition of the former Victoria University Student Village
- site remediation and earthworks
- installation of a new double‑track spur along Williamson Road
- construction of the main workshop and stabling yard
- installation of overhead wiring, substations, and signalling
- commissioning of automated inspection and maintenance equipment
The depot’s buildings were completed in late 2025, enabling the arrival of the first G‑class tram for testing.[1]
Operations
The depot is owned by VicTrack and operated by Yarra Trams. Maintenance of the G‑class fleet is carried out by Alstom under a 15‑year maintenance contract associated with the tram supply agreement.[11]
The depot will serve as the primary operational base for Routes 57, 59 and 82, improving reliability and reducing dead‑running in Melbourne’s north‑west. The facility is designed to support up to 60 trams as the G‑class fleet expands.[12]
Transport connections
The depot is located adjacent to Hampstead Road and is accessible by several local bus routes, including services to Footscray, Highpoint, and Sunshine. The nearby Route 82 tram line provides direct access to Moonee Ponds and Footscray, enabling efficient movement of trams into and out of service.[13]
Routes
Trams from the following routes will be stabled and maintained at the Maidstone depot:[3]
References
- 1 2 "G1 Class". VICSIG. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Maribyrnong Detention Centre to close". ABC News. Australia. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Maidstone tram maintenance and stabling facility". Engage Victoria. Victorian Government. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ↑ "Maidstone home for Next Generation Trams". Department of Transport. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ↑ Dmytryshchak, Goya (3 February 2022). "Tram depot to be built at Maidstone". Star Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ↑ Railway Digest January 2022, p. 26.
- ↑ "Construction progresses on Maidstone tram depot". Railway News. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "G1 Class". VICSIG. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Next Generation Trams Project Overview". Victorian Government. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Alstom's Maidstone Depot: Melbourne Rail Tech & G Class Trams". RailTech Australia. 20 October 2025.
- ↑ "Alstom begins maintenance operation at the Maidstone tram depot" (Press release). Alstom. 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "Alstom's Maidstone Depot: Melbourne Rail Tech & G Class Trams". RailTech Australia. 20 October 2025.
- ↑ "Route 82 timetable". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
External links
Media related to Maidstone tram depot at Wikimedia Commons