Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Simon Barber, Alex Thorn and Chris Nuthall
Page Last Updated: 17/7/20
The Tait trains, also known as ‘Red Rattlers’ were built from 1910 by VR for loco hauled suburban services, until the first electrification of the Melbourne railway system was complete in 1917. The carriages were built specifically for electric services, with electrical equipment being retrofitted when they could begin EMU service. This would not happen until 1919. The trains derived their name from Sir Thomas James Tait, the chairman of commissioners for the Victorian Railways from 1903 to 1910. These trains were essentially the same as older Swing Door carriages, however had sliding doors and other subtle differences.
2CM in the Newport Workshops. (9/3/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
Parcel Van 12CM at Spencer Street. (12/1/88)
Photo By: Simon Barber |
These suburban EMUs were painted a vibrant red livery, same as the earlier Swing Door trains. Carriages were designated as first or second class until 1958 when single class suburban travel was introduced. Interiors were also split into smoking and no-smoking compartments until late 1978 when the abolition of smoking on trains came into effect. Luggage racks, opening windows and blinds were fitted but these features were removed in 1971 to simplify the interiors. There were two main differences with the carriage exteriors, the original cars had a clerestory roof, and those built from the late 1920s onward had a simpler design arched roof.
As introduced, there were a variety of classifications to identify carriage types such as what class each one was. This classification system was simplified in 1921 with M, T and D being used across the fleet. M stood for motor, T for trailer and D for driving trailer. All trailers became first class until single class travel came into use in 1958. In 1921, 4 Tait carriages were made as parcel coaches, numbered 1CM to 5CM. 3CM however was fitted with overhead inspection equipment with 10CM joining later. 18M and 44M which were formerly Swing Door motors, were converted to the Tait design after a collision. In 1968 4 motor carriages being 300M, 398M, 244M and 397M were modified to include a driving cab at both ends, taking on new numbers 470M to 473M. These were to be used on Hurstbridge and Alamein lines where low patronage was experienced, in particular off peak times. In 1950, 441T was modified to have 3 doors per car side, to test the future Harris train design. Various other modifications were made to the fleet over their service lives, including the conversion of T cars to D cars. 623 Tait type carriages were constructed in total by 1953.
The Tait trains originally entered service as 6 car sets, usually consisting of 3 M cars and 3 trailers. These sets were extended to 7 cars in later years. M-D-M-D, M-T-T-M and M-T-D are some examples of standard configurations. Single carriage operation would begin in 1968 and in the 1970s, M-T-T-T-T-M would often operate peak services. On some occasions, Tait T carriages could be seen on regional services when other carriage types were not available.
As introduced, there were a variety of classifications to identify carriage types such as what class each one was. This classification system was simplified in 1921 with M, T and D being used across the fleet. M stood for motor, T for trailer and D for driving trailer. All trailers became first class until single class travel came into use in 1958. In 1921, 4 Tait carriages were made as parcel coaches, numbered 1CM to 5CM. 3CM however was fitted with overhead inspection equipment with 10CM joining later. 18M and 44M which were formerly Swing Door motors, were converted to the Tait design after a collision. In 1968 4 motor carriages being 300M, 398M, 244M and 397M were modified to include a driving cab at both ends, taking on new numbers 470M to 473M. These were to be used on Hurstbridge and Alamein lines where low patronage was experienced, in particular off peak times. In 1950, 441T was modified to have 3 doors per car side, to test the future Harris train design. Various other modifications were made to the fleet over their service lives, including the conversion of T cars to D cars. 623 Tait type carriages were constructed in total by 1953.
The Tait trains originally entered service as 6 car sets, usually consisting of 3 M cars and 3 trailers. These sets were extended to 7 cars in later years. M-D-M-D, M-T-T-M and M-T-D are some examples of standard configurations. Single carriage operation would begin in 1968 and in the 1970s, M-T-T-T-T-M would often operate peak services. On some occasions, Tait T carriages could be seen on regional services when other carriage types were not available.
327M in the Newport Workshops on display. (9/3/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
381M in Newport Workshops on display. (9/3/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
In 1936, a ‘Boat Train’ service was introduced, using a 6 car Tait set running from Flinders Street to Port Melbourne, meeting passengers off international ships and ocean liners. The set was painted a unique blue with silver roofs. Red writing saying ‘The Boat Train’ was placed on the roofs of some of the carriages. This short-lived service was withdrawn in 1939 after the outbreak of World War 2 resulted in low patronage. This set entered regular service later on.
In 1974, the Taits were being withdrawn from service after the introduction of Hitachi trains. With Comeng sets entering service from 1981, Vicrail were able to have the entire fleet taken out of service by the end of 1984. Taits were not allowed in the City Loop after its opening in 1981, due to being a fire hazard presented by their wooden bodies, instead spending most of their final years on the Port Melbourne, St Kilda and Sandringham lines. In 1985, Tait carriages were auctioned off from Newport Workshops to private buyers. Many of the trains were towed to Kingston, near Creswick where they were scrapped by being set alight.
In preservation, carriages 317M, 381M, 208T and 230D were retained by the then Public Transport Corporation as an operational heritage set. Various other carriages survive as well. Today, Elecrail have restored 470M to working order, and has 341T under restoration, along with 201BT, 327M, 472M and 2CM stored. From 2004 however, the sets were banned from operational use due to safety concerns. This ban was lifted in 2016, with restored 317M, 230D, 208T and 381M being hauled by D3 639 and K190 on a heritage run. The carriages could not operate on their own due to a lack of modern equipment needed by all trains on the suburban network. The set has since conducted trial runs within Newport Workshops. Other sets remain in existence through private ownership.
In 1974, the Taits were being withdrawn from service after the introduction of Hitachi trains. With Comeng sets entering service from 1981, Vicrail were able to have the entire fleet taken out of service by the end of 1984. Taits were not allowed in the City Loop after its opening in 1981, due to being a fire hazard presented by their wooden bodies, instead spending most of their final years on the Port Melbourne, St Kilda and Sandringham lines. In 1985, Tait carriages were auctioned off from Newport Workshops to private buyers. Many of the trains were towed to Kingston, near Creswick where they were scrapped by being set alight.
In preservation, carriages 317M, 381M, 208T and 230D were retained by the then Public Transport Corporation as an operational heritage set. Various other carriages survive as well. Today, Elecrail have restored 470M to working order, and has 341T under restoration, along with 201BT, 327M, 472M and 2CM stored. From 2004 however, the sets were banned from operational use due to safety concerns. This ban was lifted in 2016, with restored 317M, 230D, 208T and 381M being hauled by D3 639 and K190 on a heritage run. The carriages could not operate on their own due to a lack of modern equipment needed by all trains on the suburban network. The set has since conducted trial runs within Newport Workshops. Other sets remain in existence through private ownership.
Tait Liveries
381M in the original livery at Jolimont. (8/2/85)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
5CM in a fresh 'Fast Parcels' livery in Jolimont Yard. (17/6/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
All information sourced from Wikipedia