It only took me since the mid-1980s to finally visit one of Melbourne’s last remaining tram squares. No big deal. I mean, why rush something that's been quietly waiting for me while cities modernise and entire tram classes go extinct? Sure, I’d crossed a tram square plenty of times—usually without even realising it—but actually getting off my perky backside and photographing one? That always fell into the trusty “next time” category.
Fast forward to 2025, and suddenly “next time” is looking a bit too much like “last chance.” With only two tram squares left—Kooyong and Riversdale—it was decision time. Kooyong won by default, mainly because my actual goal was to chase down the endangered Z3 class trams, and only Kooyong still hosts them with any regularity, mixed with the less riveting D1 type.. Riversdale? Seemed to be all A and B types, which will soon enough become the focus of these visits themselves.
Of course, I had grand plans to do it all during peak hour—because nothing says “good decision-making” like dealing with ghastly traffic chaos at the crack of dawn. The problem was that I’d already shoehorned 12 days’ worth of activities into a four-day visit, and the tram square was starting to look like it might get bumped again. Enter Friday morning and a heroic (read: stupid) pre-sunrise, insomnia induced, wake-up. I dragged myself down to Flinders Street Station like some sort of public transport tragic on a pilgrimage, with the noble mission of squeezing in a measly hour at Kooyong before the day’s Z3 hunt officially began. Who needs sleep when there are ancient tram crossings and vintage ding dings at stake?
Enjoy, or not, that decision is one only you can make for yourself.
Kooyong Railway Station, located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, opened on 24 March 1890 as part of the expansion of the Glen Waverley line. Originally named North Malvern, it was apparently soon renamed to avoid confusion with North Melbourne (honestly, some people must be that thick). The name Kooyong is believed to derive from an Indigenous word meaning “camp” or “resting place,” a name that reflects the area’s earlier natural landscape. Though the station has remained relatively modest in size and facilities, it has long served as a key point on Melbourne’s suburban network.
What makes Kooyong truly unique is its tram square—a rare level crossing where tram and train tracks intersect. Once a more common feature in Melbourne, tram squares have now been reduced to just two examples: Kooyong and another at Riversdale in Camberwell. At Kooyong, the tram square lies at the northern end of the station, where Glenferrie Road’s tram line (Route 16) crosses the train tracks at-grade. This arrangement makes Kooyong not just a station, but a living piece of transport history.
The tram square's significance is heightened by its manual signal box, still in use today. Built with a mechanical interlocking system, it controls not only the train signals and points but also manages tram signals, pedestrian gates, and a complex overhead wiring system. Because trams and trains use different voltages (600V and 1500V DC respectively), the overhead wires are manually switched depending on which vehicle is crossing. This manually operated system is a rare example of early 20th-century rail safety engineering that still functions in daily service.
Adding to the historical character are the folding-tip boom gates, designed to accommodate tram pantographs while maintaining road safety. These gates, like the rest of the system, were last updated in 1985, replacing older interlocked gates, but still reflect their historical origins. As a result, Kooyong Station and its tram square not only provide transport services but also stand as a physical reminder of Melbourne’s layered and often complex transport history—one where trains and trams had to learn to coexist.
Kooyong Tram Square On Streetscape.
I rode 132M down to Kooyong station, it seen here trailing the service leaving the station.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Glenferrie Road (Kooyong) looking southwards towards Glen Waverley.
The old signal box is visible between the crossing and Kooyong station.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Same crossing, but looking back towards the city.
Photo: Brad Peadon
This time looking west along Glenferrie Road showing where the wires cross each other.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Kooyong station (from public footpath).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Closer view of the lovely old signal box that controls both the trams and train on the crossing.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A rubber tyred tram passes by.
Alston Coaches BS10-UF.
Photo: Brad Peadon
197M leads an X'Trapolis set out of Kooyong station headed to the city.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The first tram along was D1 type 3523. Disappointing, but I was still determined to grab some Z3s.
Photo: Brad Peadon
OK, I admit the crossing shots may be getting a tad wearing on the patience.
Photo: Brad Peadon
166M trails a Glen Waverley X'Trapolis set.
Photo: Brad Peadon
While soon after, 132M stops on another city service.
Photo: Brad Peadon
X'Trapolis sets seemed to be the order of the morning, with 238M on the rear of yet another Glen Waverly run.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Hooray, at long last the Z3s were were actually after begun to turn up. 176 eastbound above, and 160 going the other direction below.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Then it was the turn of Z3-132.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Four tracks in reality.
If you count the trams :-)
If you count the trams :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
D1-3510 in advertising for Honda, passes fellow D1 type 3503.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Station building on Kooyong's up platform.
Alas, the dunny facilities do not seem to be made available for the public, so holding on for Flinders Street was the order of the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another angle of the aforementioned signal box..
Photo: Brad Peadon
Just another shot of Kooyong station to finish the first part of our Kooyong station coverage.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Alex Miguel & Steven Perry.
NOTE: The video version of this day out will appear on the 'Semi-Retired Foamer' YouTube Channel in the fullness of time.
Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.
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