Melbourne’s current E-class trams are three-section, four-bogie articulated trams that were introduced in 2013. They are built at the Dandenong works of Bombardier. In September 2010, 50 were ordered with an option to purchase a further 100. In May 2015, a further 20 were ordered, followed by additional orders for 10 in May 2017, September 2018 and May 2019, taking the total to 100.
The first tram was delivered in June 2013 and, after testing, entered service on route 96 on 4 November 2013. The last tram to be delivered, 6100, will be delivered in a special livery and is expected to enter service during late August or early September 2021.
E1 class 6010, and E2 class 6052. Note the thinner (safer) ‘A’ pillar design for the E2 class.
There are two classes, the E1 (trams 6001-6050) and E2 (trams 6051-6100), with differences in the design of the cab to improve ergonomics and decrease blind spots for drivers, and improved hand-holds for passengers in the saloon.
E2 Class Gallery
E2 class leader 6051, and sister 6052, sitting at St Kilda’s Ackland St terminus in the October sunshine
E2 class tram 6053 at platform 1, Ackland St, St Kilda
E2 class tram 6055, a Southbank car, on New Preston’s 6 road
E2 class tram 6056, normally a Preston car, at St Kilda’s Ackaland Street terminus with a TripleM branded 5103 for company
E2 class tram 6057 at the temporary terminus near Johnston St, Fitzroy, during the Nicholson St works in January 2020
E2 class tram 6058, normally a Preston car, on the Route 30 at Brunswick St siding – the Route 30 terminus
E2 class tram 6059 sitting on platform 2 at St Kilda’s Ackland Street terminus
E2 class tram 6061 waiting to form the next up Route 96 service to St Kilda Beach
E2 class tram 6062, normally a Preston tram, in Southbank hands on the Route 96 at East Brunswick
E2 class tram 6063 approaching the Port Junction take point for a driver change over
E2 class tram 6064 stabled on the West end of Southbank’s 12 road
E2 class tram 6065 at the Docklands terminus, normally the Haunt of Route 70 and 86, while running as a block car for lat running Route 86 trams
E2 class tram 6067 is running out of Southbank for the beginning of its afternoon’s work
E2 class tram 6069 sits on the centre track near the MCG while running Tennis shuttles
E2 class tram 6070 emerging from 5 road after maintenance at Southbank Depot
E2 class tram 6072 sits quietly in the January heat at St Kilda before starting toward East Brunswick
E2 class tram 6072 prepares for a return to St Kilda on the Route 96
E2 class tram 6073, so close and yet so far, trapped outside of the East Brunswick terminus due to a car accident behind the camera
E2 class tram 6075 on her ‘Pat Malone’ at the St Kilda Beach’s terminus
E2 class tram 6077 and partner in crime 6067 at the St Kilda Beach terminus of Route 96
E2 class tram 6078 at East Brunswick all alone, for time being
E2 class tram 6079 seen at East Brunswick terminus after arriving on a down Route 96
E2 class tram 6080 on a Route 86 to Bundoora/RMIT loading at the Bourke & William Street platform
E2 class tram 6081 on the west end of Southbank’s 2 road preparing to ‘car out’
E2 class tram 6083 on platofmr 2 at St Kilda will leave after C2 Bumblebee #5103 departs to East Brunswick
E2 class tram 6085 waiting its turn to head to St Kilda on the Route 96
E2 class tram 6086, running the Route 30, waiting to enter St Vincents’ Plaza platform, the route terminus
E2 class tram 6087 shutting down on Southbank’s 13 road on a wet August evening in 2020
E2 class tram 6089 preparing to short-shunt at the St Kilda station stop
E2 class tram 6093 stabled on Southbank depot’s 4 road, just east of ‘the wash’ area
E2 class tram 6095 preparing to leave for East Brunswick oin the Route 96 from St Kilda
E2 class tram 6096, waiting to car into Southbank depot’s East gate
E2 class tram 6097 sitting on Southbank’s 2 road before the morning car out
E2 class tram 6098, still running in at this time, set out on 6road west at Southbank depot
Inside a new E class, in this case 6098 looking toward the #1 end
It’s not often you get to see inside a new E class. Here’s the interior of 6098 at #2 end prior to seats being completed
The Martin Family 
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