Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Alex Thorn, Ian Green and Chris Nuthall
Page Last Updated: 15/7/20
107M at Newport. (3/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
The Melbourne Swing Door EMUs, also known as ‘Dogboxes’ or ‘Doggies’ are wooden bodied suburban trains that were introduced in 1917, with the first electrified railway lines in Melbourne being operated by Victorian Railways. Despite this, the Swing Doors were originally constructed between 1887 and 1893 as steam loco hauled carriages. When these carriages were converted to electric traction between 1917 and 1924, the carriages were placed on extended underframes with two compartments being added to the car body. These new sections were usually passenger or guards van compartments, later used as driving or guard compartments.
There were many different variants of Swing Door units, these were originally known as AT, BCM, and ABCD carriages, indicating both class and type. In 1921, classification was largely simplified to M meaning motor car, T meaning trailer car and D for driving trailer. Trailer cars were usually first class and motor cars were second class with some exceptions. 144 M cars were converted into EMUs in total, being numbered 1M to 164M. |
There are gaps in numbers for cars converted to ABM carriages which are essentially double ended M cars for lines with low patronage, and first class M cars which were classed as AM. These were re-classified to M in 1958 when single class travel was introduced. Conversion of loco-hauled rolling-stock to electric power was complete 1924, along with the introduction of Tait trains. All carriages were painted red with a few paint variations.
Swing Door trains were used in all sorts of configurations between 1 and 8 cars. Because they were not semi-permanently put together into sets, they could run in pretty much any configuration. A normal block was M-T-T-M. Pairs of carriages in the form of M-D may supplement a block or operate by themselves when a larger train is not necessary. ABM carriages would usually operate on lines such as Altona, Ashburton (later Alamein) and Hurstbridge lines, as these lines would have lower passenger numbers. M cars 18M and 44M were converted to Tait design, after a collision.
6 Swing Door ABM cars were converted to parcel vans numbered 10CM to 15CM in around 1955. These were made to supplement the previous new build parcel vans constructed from 1921. 14CM and 15CM were only temporarily parcel vans, being reverted back to passenger use some time later. These vans wore a red scheme, matching passenger rolling-stock. Later on in their service life, they wore a dark blue and cream ‘Fast Parcels’ livery, which made them easily recognisable. M cars, 156M and 113M, were modified for use as shunters in the Jolimont Workshops.
Swing Door trains were used in all sorts of configurations between 1 and 8 cars. Because they were not semi-permanently put together into sets, they could run in pretty much any configuration. A normal block was M-T-T-M. Pairs of carriages in the form of M-D may supplement a block or operate by themselves when a larger train is not necessary. ABM carriages would usually operate on lines such as Altona, Ashburton (later Alamein) and Hurstbridge lines, as these lines would have lower passenger numbers. M cars 18M and 44M were converted to Tait design, after a collision.
6 Swing Door ABM cars were converted to parcel vans numbered 10CM to 15CM in around 1955. These were made to supplement the previous new build parcel vans constructed from 1921. 14CM and 15CM were only temporarily parcel vans, being reverted back to passenger use some time later. These vans wore a red scheme, matching passenger rolling-stock. Later on in their service life, they wore a dark blue and cream ‘Fast Parcels’ livery, which made them easily recognisable. M cars, 156M and 113M, were modified for use as shunters in the Jolimont Workshops.
156M and 113M in the Met Livery. These are shunters at Jolimont. (8/5/85)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
A swing Door next to a Comeng in Jolimont Yard. (24/11/90)
Photo By: Ian Green |
By the 1950s, the Swing Door sets were beginning to be withdrawn from service. Steel bodied Harris sets were introduced in 1956, meaning the oldest of the suburban fleet could be taken out of service. Despite this, it wasn’t until 1973 when all Swing Door trains were out of service, making them the longest serving suburban trains in Melbourne to date. The St Kilda and Port Melbourne lines were the last to see these trains in service. A farewell day was run on the 26th January 1974. The parcel vans remained in service until around 1988, when road transport had largely taken over the movement of parcels and other freight on the suburban system. The two Jolimont Workshop shunters were still in service into the 1990s, and had received a coat of ‘The Met’ paint.
Today, most of the carriages have been scrapped after they were withdrawn. A handful of carriages made it into preservation, with 107M, 137M both restored to operational condition. 24D and 12BT were both being restored. In March 2015, a fire destroyed part of Steamrail/Elecrails holding area at Newport Workshops and with it, all 4 carriages were severely damaged or completely destroyed as a result. 93M also made it into preservation and is currently being restored. 8M is located at the ARHS North Williamstown museum on static display. Various other carriages have survived in private ownership across Victoria.
Today, most of the carriages have been scrapped after they were withdrawn. A handful of carriages made it into preservation, with 107M, 137M both restored to operational condition. 24D and 12BT were both being restored. In March 2015, a fire destroyed part of Steamrail/Elecrails holding area at Newport Workshops and with it, all 4 carriages were severely damaged or completely destroyed as a result. 93M also made it into preservation and is currently being restored. 8M is located at the ARHS North Williamstown museum on static display. Various other carriages have survived in private ownership across Victoria.
137M with an ElecRail special at Spencer Street. (11/03)
Photo By: Ian Green
Photo By: Ian Green
All information sourced from Vicsig, https://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c226m.htm , Steamrail and Wikipedia