| Tait carriages | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Tait_Kensington.jpg) Tait 317M passing Kensington, 2022 | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Tait_Interior_Elecrail_2014.jpg) Interior of a Tait car restored by ElecRail. | |
| Designer | Victorian Railways |
| Assembly | Victorian Railways |
| Built at | Newport Workshops |
| Replaced | Steam-hauled carriages |
| Constructed | 1910–1953 |
| Entered service | 1910 (as locomotive-hauled carriages) 1919 (as EMU cars) |
| Scrapped | 1975-1984 |
| Number built | 623 |
| Fleet numbers | 201-461M (Motor cars), 470-473M (double ended Motor cars) 201-265D (Driving trailers), 201-372T & 380-442T (Trailer cars) 1-103G (dual lighting trailers – Gas + electric) |
| Operators | Victorian Railways (1910–1983) Metropolitan Transit Authority (1983–1984) |
| Depots | Jolimont Workshops |
| Lines served | All Melbourne Suburban |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | 59 ft 9 in (18.21 m) |
| Car length | 61 ft 8+1⁄2 in (18.81 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Height | 11 ft 8+7⁄8 in (3.58 m) |
| Wheel diameter | 42 inch (1067mm) |
| Wheelbase | 50 ft (15.24 m) 8 ft (2.44 m) (bogie) |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| Weight | M cars: 47 LT 16 cwt 0 qtr (48.57 t) (clerestory roof) M cars: 50 LT 4 cwt 0 qtr (51.01 t) (curved roof) |
| Traction motors | Four GE239 |
| Power output | 105 kW (141 hp) |
| Transmission | straight cut gears, gear ratio 73:23 |
| Electric system(s) | 1500 V DC overhead lines |
| Wheels driven | All on Motor carriages (ACPM, BCPM, M & CM) |
| Braking system(s) | Westinghouse Air Brake Company |
| Coupling system | Screw |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) |
The Tait trains were a wooden bodied electric multiple unit (EMU) train that operated on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They were introduced in 1910 by the Victorian Railways as steam locomotive hauled cars, and converted to electric traction from 1919 when the Melbourne electrification project was underway.[1] The trains derived their name from Sir Thomas James Tait, the chairman of commissioners of the Victorian Railways from 1903 to 1910.[2] The first cars were built during 1909 with the last entering service in 1952.[3]
Tait trains were initially referred to as "Sliding Door" trains, as opposed to the Swing Door trains then in service. From the 1950s, they became known as Reds or Red Rattlers, following the introduction of the blue-painted Harris trains.[1]
- ^ a b Vincent, Peter J. (30 August 2007). "M – Sliding Door Suburban Motor Car". PJV's Website.
- ^ Johnston, Susan (1990). "Tait, Sir Thomas James (1864–1940)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 12. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ Vincent, Peter J. (19 January 2007). "T – Sliding Door Suburban Trailer". PJV's Website.