Swing Door (train)

Swing Door
Restored Swing Door carriage 8M at Newport Workshops, September 2022
In service1887–1974
ManufacturerVictorian Railways
Built atNewport Workshops
ReplacedSteam hauled carriages
Constructed1887–1909 (built), converted 19
Entered service1887 (as locomotive-hauled carriages)
1919 (as EMU cars)
Retired1974
Scrapped1964-2015
Number built144 motor cars,
32 driving trailers,
112 trailers
Fleet numbers1-164M (Motor cars, with gaps),
1-32D (Driving trailers),
1-111T, 126T (Trailers)
OperatorsVictorian Railways
Specifications
Articulated sectionsNone
Maximum speed83 km/h (52 mph)
Traction system4 x 105 kW GE239
Electric system(s)1500 V DC overhead
Track gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)

Swing Door trains, commonly known as "Dogboxes" or "Doggies", were wooden-bodied electric multiple unit (EMU) trains that operated on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Swing Door cars had outward-opening doors and were reasonably narrow, to ensure that two passing trains would not foul each other if doors were accidentally left open. At certain locations, clearances were tight and there are stories of Swing Door cars losing doors that were not closed.[1] The fleet could be seen running in any arrangement, from one car, using a double-ended M car, to seven cars.

  1. ^ "M - Swing Door Suburban Motor Car". www.pjv101.net. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.