5" Melbourne Suburban Swing-door Set - Traralgon VIC - S1293

5 inch gauge Melbourne Suburban 4 Car Set.

This train was built around 2010 and has run infrequently on my home railway and also Gippsland Model Engineering Society track in Traralgon. It has also seen work at the Galston NSW Track of Hornsby Model Engineers and the Cobden Miniature Railway on their interclub days over the years.

While based on the Melbourne Red Suburban Swing door electric trains of the Victorian Railways, it also resembles the ‘Tait’ trains that operated until the mid-1980’s.

Each car is 5 foot long making a total length of 22 feet allowing for 6 inch gap between cars. It consists of two powered M Cars and two non-powered T Trailers. 

Their numbers are 68M, 36M, 159T and 501T.

68M is the leading car and features operating head light and three operating marker lights.

36M is designed to be the rear car and it features operating red taillight and Marker lights. The train will operate in both directions but as the lights are fixed, running backwards may require switching off the lights.

The electronics are based on the Model Engineering Magazine 422 class project from about 25 years ago. They use handmade copper etched speed control boards. They also use transistors and relays as per the magazine’s directions.

They are reliable and work either individually or wired together via a 15 pin Computer Cable running through the Trailer cars. Schematic drawings of all electronics and hand control will be supplied.

It has been designed to be driven from the rear car of the train. Riding trucks need to carry an appropriate 15 pin cable.

Both M Cars use 2 deep cycle batteries which are included with the train. These are wired in series for 24volt operation while lights use 12volts. Operating time depends on the loads pulled but 5 hours continuous running may be possible. This time could be doubled if a spare set of batteries is available. (spare set not included)

A purpose built hand controller is included which features a dead man’s momentary button which must be always held. Releasing the button will stop the train which then cannot be reenergised until the throttle is returned to the off position. This design feature allows for mishaps such as a driver falling from the train. Other functions include forward and reverse, whistle and Dynamic Brake. Maximum speed is approximately 8kph.

The bodies have been made with MDF while the chassis are made from Boxed and flat Steel. The pantographs are also handmade but do not operate as overhead wiring is not practical. (would involve passing through passenger and driver tummy’s)

The two M Cars and one of the T cars have Lazer cut hand built bogies while the remaining T has unpowered DNC bogies. 

With the batteries installed, the M cars are heavy but without the batteries and the body removed, they are quite light. The two T trailer cars have no battery, so they benefit from the addition of extra weight such as an old battery. This makes them more stable when pulling passengers.

As both M cars are affectively locomotives in their own right, they have a strong pulling power capable of hauling at least three riding trucks, each loaded with two adults plus driver, 7 adults in total. This is based on flat track although it can handle slight grades.

This sale does not include a riding truck so buyers will need to supply their own, or the seller is prepared to make one at additional cost.

 

Please see a youtube link in operation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6npYjZMChm0