Editing Trams in Melbourne (section)

===Z-class===
{{Main|Z-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:Z3 229 at Footscray Terminus on route 82, in PTV livery, 2013.JPG|thumb|right|A Z3-class tram]]

The development of new [[rolling stock]] to replace the W-class began in the early 1970s, employing a modern design, based on the [[M28 (tram)|M28 trams]] running in [[Gothenburg]], Sweden.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram">{{cite web | url=http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/z.html | work=Trams of Australia | title=Melbourne's Z-class tram | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219103851/http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/z.html | archive-date=19 February 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Z-class trams, built by [[Commonwealth Engineering|Comeng]], were introduced in 1975. One hundred Z1-class trams were built between 1975 and 1979, the first 80 or so entering service as Z-class before being modified. The design proved unpopular with passengers due to the limited number of doors and the seated conductor.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> Most of the Z1-class trams were withdrawn following the introduction of the C, D and E class trams, with the last Z1-class being withdrawn on 23 April 2016. Many were later sold at auctions, while others were donated to tram museums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z1 |work=Vicsig |title=Z1 Class |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013352/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1978 and 1979, fifteen Z2-class trams were built, as a bridging order to maintain construction continuity between the Z1 and Z3-class trams. Some slight modifications were incorporated, the main visible ones being a larger anti-climber bumper and larger opening area for the driver's side-window, otherwise they resemble the Z1-class vehicles.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> The last Z2-class tram was withdrawn from service on 21 April 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z2 | work=Vicsig | title=Z2 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=27 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127014715/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

One hundred and fifteen Z3-class trams entered service between 1979 and 1984. They were designed with an additional door on each side of the tram, the rear door improving passenger flow. Different motors and control equipment were fitted, resulting in smoother acceleration and braking compared to the Z1-class. As with the preceding Z1 and Z2-class trams, the conductor's console was removed when one-person operation was introduced in the 1990s.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> 111 remain in service.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z3 | work=Vicsig | title=Z3 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=27 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013645/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z3 | url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Z1 Melbourne tram.jpg|A Z1-class tram at [[Federation Square]], [[Swanston Street]]
File:Z2 101 Swanston Street 4-10-2012.jpg|A Z2-class tram at City Square, [[Swanston Street]]
File:Z3-class Melbourne tram interior, 2013.jpg|A Z3-class tram interior
</gallery>