This car type was introduced in 1910. They were originally steam hauled cars and capable of conversion to electric traction in the late 1900's when the Melbourne electrification project was underway.
The M classification for these cars dates from 1921. The previous codes were ACPM ( First Class ) and BCPM ( Second Class ).
Construction for these cars spans 1916 to 1949. Cars built 1916 to 1920 seem to have been stored waiting service. Some cars were built with the pantograph well and drivers/guards compartments during this time and were issued to service as ordinary gas lit car/vans. These were converted to motor carriages by 1922.
The carriages built in 1949 sat in storage waiting parts until issued to service in 1952.
The cars and "Tait" trains in general were replaced from 1974 by "Martin & King" trains sets and the later "Comeng" trains. Due to industrial problems the "Tait" trains were withdrawn from service by December 1984.
Trains were affectionately known as 'Red rattlers' by passengers or simply as 'Reds' by train crews. The colour distinction can only date to 1956 with the introduction of Harris trains, painted blue. Prior to this all suburban trains were painted red and train types designated as 'Sliding door' or 'Swing door'. For a few years (1936-1939) a 'Boat Train' was painted blue but this is the exception.
Car numbers ran 201 - 461M, with the double ended rebuilt single M cars numbered 470 - 473.
Car 447M was withdrawn from service in the late 1970's. The car was rebuilt into the 'Overhead Inspection Car'. This car was fitted with special pantographs and pumping equipment to lubricate the overhead wiring. The car was fitted with a diesel set for power. The car was propelled by standard M cars at each end. This 'O I Car' replaced 3 _CM_ which regularly performed these duties.
For M motor cars there were two main groups:
201 - 411M
412 - 461M. This group was introduced to service with autocoupler draft gear and used transition hooks for coupling. The project to convert to autocouplers was never done.
Note: Up to this time the VR considered the M suburban group to be one class and placed all the types (Harris, Tait, Comeng, Swing Door etc) into different number groups. Hence Swing doors were grouped 1-200, Taits 201-499, Harris 501-799. Martin & King (Hitachi/'silver') cars re-used the under 200 group as swing doors were scrapped and Comengs started at 301. Up until stainless steel trains the VR was reluctant to use numbers in the 1000 range as it required the additional expense of the extra number. Transfer lettering was used to this time as self adhesive letters were more expensive and required replacement at paint times.