Harris (train)

Harris
Harris train in 1959, soon after entry to service
The interior of a motor car prior to refurbishment
ManufacturerGloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (early M cars)
Martin & King (later M and T cars)
Victorian Railways Newport Workshops (later M and T cars)[1]
Replaced'Swing Door'
Constructed1956–1971
Entered service1956
Refurbished1982-1988
Scrapped1988, some converted to other uses
Number built60 seven-car sets (30 first series, 30 second series), plus ten motor cars 791M-800M and six long trailer cars 891-896T (total 436)
Number in service2 stored 'M' cars, formerly used on the 'Greaser' train, currently awaiting restoration as passenger carriages by Steamrail Victoria.
Number preserved2 motors at the ARHS Newport museum
Number scrapped373
FormationM-T-T-M "Blocks" and BT-T-M "Units"
Fleet numbers501M-590M (1st series motors),
701M-800M (2nd series motors),
501-560BT (backing trailers),
601-690T and 801-890T (trailers),
891-896T (long trailers)[1]
Capacity501M-590M: 59 seated, 172 crush[2]

701M-781M: 65 seated, 164 crush[3]
782M-790M: 71 seated, 155 crush[4]
799M: 64 seated, 175 crush[5]
601T-690T: 72 seated, 198 crush[6]
632T: 60 seated, 216 crush[7]
673T: 64 seated, 205 crush[8]
801T-861T: 80 seated, 183 crush[9]
862T: 64 seated, 209 crush[10]
863T-875T: 80 seated, 183 crush[9]
876T-889T: 82 seated, 179 crush[11]
890T: 72 seated, ??? crush[12]
891T-896T: 92 seated, 263 crush[13]

560BT: 68 seated, 212 crush[14]
OperatorsVictorian Railways
DepotsJolimont Yard
Lines servedAll Melbourne Suburban
Specifications
Car body constructionPainted steel
Car length61 ft 1+11⁄16 in (18.64 m) over body,
some 75 ft (22.86 m) trailers
Width9 ft 8+3⁄4 in (2.97 m) over body panels, 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) over window rivets, 10 ft (3.05 m) over grab rails[5]
Height12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) over body, 12 ft 8.75 in (3.88 m) over flettner vents
Floor height4 ft (1.22 m)[3]
Articulated sectionsOpen gangway (added later)
Wheelbase8 ft (2.44 m) bogies at 43 ft (13.11 m) centres, total per carriage 51 ft (15.54 m); long trailers 53 ft (16.15 m) centres for total 61 ft (18.59 m) wheelbase
Maximum speed70 mph (110 km/h) in service, 80 mph (130 km/h) design maximum[2]
Weight701M-790M & 799M: 46 long tons 0 cwt 3 qtr (46.78 t)[3][4][5]

560T & 801T-889T: 30 LT 16 cwt 2 qtr (31.32 t)[9][10]
632T & 673T: 32 LT 6 cwt 2 qtr (32.84 t)[7][8]

891T-896T: 37 LT 8 cwt 2 qtr (38.03 t)[13] (est.)
Traction motors4 x EE528A (first series),
4 x EE539 (second series)
Power output4 x 151 kW (202 hp) (first series),
4 x 113 kW (152 hp) (second series)
Electric system(s)1.5 kV DC Overhead lines
Multiple workingWithin own fleet only
Track gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)

The Harris trains were the first steel-bodied electric multiple unit (EMU) trains to operate on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They were introduced in 1956, by the Victorian Railways, and last operated in 1988, although a number of the carriages were converted for other uses and are still operating. They were named after Norman Charles Harris, Chairman of Commissioners of the Victorian Railways, between 1940 and 1950.

  1. ^ a b S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson: (1979) The Electric Railways of Victoria'
  2. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  3. ^ a b c Image pjv101.net
  4. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  5. ^ a b c Image pjv101.net
  6. ^ Image pjv101.net
  7. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  8. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  9. ^ a b c Image pjv101.net
  10. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  11. ^ Image pjv101.net
  12. ^ Image pjv101.net
  13. ^ a b Image pjv101.net
  14. ^ Image pjv101.net