T - Sliding Door Suburban Trailer


This was one of a new design car for the Melbourne electrification project in the 1900's. The first cars were built during 1909 with last construction in 1951. There were several roof types: 'pent' roof the original style with 'arched' roof style from the late 1920's.

The vehicles were issued as _AP_ steam hauled cars and became APT_ when placed in electric service. In 1921, electric codes were rationalised with APT becoming T.

The T car numbers were 201 - 372, 380 - 442.

Trailers were originally 'First Class' and designated such, hence the 'A' in the code of AP and APT. With the 1921 coding, trailers became 'First' and motor cars were 'Second' class.

From 1958, suburban trains became 'one class'.

'Smoking' and 'Non smoking' signs were removed from trains from late 1978.

Some cars were built in the late 1900's with guards vans at one end. These were destined for use as driving trailers when converted for electrification. However it seems by the time electrification came the cars were surplus to requirements. These cars were fitted with seats in the van and the van equipment removed ( emergency brake tap, handbrake ). To mark these vehicles for staff identification, a white circle was painted on the "guards van" doors. As such they were known as "Ringer" cars. In the mid 1960's the railways started converting these cars to _D__ cars.

Vehicle history list