As a British citizen living in Australia, like you I have fallen in love with these units. I'm from an area where Emus rule the rails so there's a good reason why. However adding to your great video, I emailed Auscision about making more motor bases available as I have 4 sets already, 3x 4car and a 7car set, which in real life split. However with the model, you can't do that. Thanks for the very informative article on the disk codes too. Great work 👍
I was a Guard for 12 years and ran these trains for a few years before they were withdrawn. They were great trains in spite of their age. We used to use metal route marker disks that sometimes got locked tight, so you had to use another disk or a switch stick to bash it off, later they introduced plastic disks that solved that issue. A point to pick on with this model could also be the lack of provision of the white "train complete" marker on the rear car although DIY would be easy enough.
In the video I mention how I don't like the mechanism for holding the pantographs down - I've since come up with a fix for that which I explain here: th-cam.com/video/AjHGpMG9w6U/w-d-xo.html You can also watch more of my model railway videos here: th-cam.com/play/PLXmkoPHEvd7p8piwz6o_kUnq8eT5YuDcA.html And videos of the full-sized Tait in action here: th-cam.com/play/PLXmkoPHEvd7q8rEAtIBWLw4hX51loPMsh.html
Great video. Used to ride in the Taits for several decades. Miss the open doors the drop down notched framed windows, the comfortable head high seats, the clink clink of the hand loops from the roof, the old dim glow overhead lights, and the sound of the driven carriage motors as they deliver momentum from each station stop. I recall the numerous ciggy butts on the SMOKING carriage floor. Cheers.
what would be interesting would be a model of the Single carriage Tait, passenger car that used to travel between Greensborough and Hurstbridge, I remember catching it in the late 1970s. I also remember the train hitting a Cow on the line just before Dimond Creek and the Driver asking us if we could help him get it off the line one Saturday afternoon.
Yes I would love a double ended M car, fingers crossed Auscision might do them in the next run. The single car shuttle was Eltham-Hurstbridge, and they were also used on Camberwell-Alamein and Newport-Altona. That's pretty amazing about the cow strike, certainly wouldn't be allowed to get the passengers to help these days! I'm also crossing my fingers for a single car tour on the main line one day - double ended motor 470M (the car in my profile picture) is one of the cars next in line to return to operation.
A rare video taken of a single cat Tait on the Alamein line : th-cam.com/video/E9fRbbAXvSU/w-d-xo.html May be of interest. Unfortunately the odd modified end has ended up shaded more than the standard end. I recall when one ran the weekday Altona to Newport shuttles and the few timetabled Newport to Williamstown shuttles it was coupled with another Tait trailer. I recall travelling from North Williamstown and seeing the odd internal ticket window and counter at one end.
Adriaan, the first single Tait Carriage train appeared on the Hurstbridge line ~1968/9, I know this because I lived at H/Bridge on Main Rd and used to watch the Tait's and the Harris Sets AKA Red Trains and Blue Trains come and go from my bedroom. FWIW from my vague memory it used to run Sundays between H/Bridge and Eltham Cheers for now
Really informative and helpful video, thanks very much Martin. My thousands of hours creating the MSTS Taits pale into insignificance now that I can order a set in three dimensions!
Mr tautest, I too have waited all my life for a model of this train. The fact that I model Puffing Billy in O scale (exclusively) had no bearing what so ever in ordering the same models as you orders. The difference being I went for the seven car set the VR blue and gold parcel van added the old version red parcel van and walker rail motor at the same time. So much for being dedicated to o scale as one would expect. I love the models just as much as you do.
An excellent review mate! Really well put together! I haven’t opened mine yet, as I’m waiting for the DCC & sound chips. Keen to see that G car in the mix!
Glad you enjoyed it! I had originally hoped to have the G car ready by the time these arrived, but it obviously still has a fair way to go. I'll post a video of them running together once I get it finished!
I'm not a modeller but I found this video very interesting. I never saw the Tait parcel vans in actual service (I didn't move to Melbourne until 2011 and was only an occasional visitor prior to then). I'm almost tempted to get a parcel van model just for decorative purposes!
@@Taitset yes that's the vid. Parcels briefly coveted about five minutes in. I should have provided a link, but another channel put me of by deleting four relevant links I posted showing E class steam in use. Thanks for allowing links.
@@Taitset just wondering what sort or variants there were in Tait sets? Was it just disc and spoked wheels as you mentioned? Or was there different carriages included in the sets?
Yeah there were loads of differences, it's probably one of the most diverse types of train I can think of. For one thing there were M, T, D and G cars (and the double ended M cars), which were broadly arranged in standard 4 and 7 car sets, but over time it was possible to see consists ranging anything from 1 to 8 cars. Some variations were modifications made to the whole fleet over time, while some were dependent on the cars build date. For instance the later cars had the arch/elliptical roof. The type of underframe bracing also changed on the later cars. In the last decade or so of service they had the windows in the door recesses plated over (as seen on these models). When first introduced they had no headlight, and a vertical air whistle rather than the three chime horn. The M cars also had plate frame bogies, and GE cross-arm pantographs. Most of that stuff was changed around the 50's. They went through about 5 or 6 different liveries over time too. The later cars had steel plating on the sides, to various different extents. And there are way more small variations.
Nice review mate not sure if i will get one they are quite expensive and im also modeling a regional line. Did they ever get hauled by a diesel train?. I agree a comeng in HO scale would be nice or even any of the other surburban electric trains would be nice.
In the early days they were sometimes hauled beyond the wires by steam locos for special events and things. I doubt it ever happened on a regular basis with diesels. However there have been one-off cases of it happening, like when the preserved set was returned from Ballarat to Melbourne behind a 930 in 1984: www.flickr.com/photos/gcargeeg/43274738791/
@@Taitset also the Tait G cars were designed for country use at holiday times. The G meant gas lighting beyond the wires. Reduced city work travel at holiday times meant a few G cars would not be missed. I think into the early diesel era on shorter runs but Trickey to track down since most photos taken were of the loco end. I also travelled behind the 930 on that run. I should add that the Tait is as modified after the mid seventies when the windows where the doors slide into were replaced by more vandal resistant panels. By this time rare country use was just on fan trips. The Harris sets with diesel haulage became preferred for shifting large numbers of country people for rare special events such as a Royal or Papal visit.
A benefit of using Harris cars for such operations in the diesel era was also that they had auto couplings, whereas a Tait set would require a transition vehicle (ie the Z van on that 930 tour).
As a British citizen living in Australia, like you I have fallen in love with these units. I'm from an area where Emus rule the rails so there's a good reason why. However adding to your great video, I emailed Auscision about making more motor bases available as I have 4 sets already, 3x 4car and a 7car set, which in real life split. However with the model, you can't do that. Thanks for the very informative article on the disk codes too. Great work 👍
I was a Guard for 12 years and ran these trains for a few years before they were withdrawn. They were great trains in spite of their age. We used to use metal route marker disks that sometimes got locked tight, so you had to use another disk or a switch stick to bash it off, later they introduced plastic disks that solved that issue. A point to pick on with this model could also be the lack of provision of the white "train complete" marker on the rear car although DIY would be easy enough.
In the video I mention how I don't like the mechanism for holding the pantographs down - I've since come up with a fix for that which I explain here: th-cam.com/video/AjHGpMG9w6U/w-d-xo.html
You can also watch more of my model railway videos here: th-cam.com/play/PLXmkoPHEvd7p8piwz6o_kUnq8eT5YuDcA.html
And videos of the full-sized Tait in action here: th-cam.com/play/PLXmkoPHEvd7q8rEAtIBWLw4hX51loPMsh.html
Great video.
Used to ride in the Taits for several decades.
Miss the open doors the drop down notched framed windows, the comfortable head high seats, the clink clink of the hand loops from the roof, the old dim glow overhead lights, and the sound of the driven carriage motors as they deliver momentum from each station stop.
I recall the numerous ciggy butts on the SMOKING carriage floor.
Cheers.
what would be interesting would be a model of the Single carriage Tait, passenger car that used to travel between Greensborough and Hurstbridge, I remember catching it in the late 1970s. I also remember the train hitting a Cow on the line just before Dimond Creek and the Driver asking us if we could help him get it off the line one Saturday afternoon.
Yes I would love a double ended M car, fingers crossed Auscision might do them in the next run. The single car shuttle was Eltham-Hurstbridge, and they were also used on Camberwell-Alamein and Newport-Altona. That's pretty amazing about the cow strike, certainly wouldn't be allowed to get the passengers to help these days! I'm also crossing my fingers for a single car tour on the main line one day - double ended motor 470M (the car in my profile picture) is one of the cars next in line to return to operation.
A rare video taken of a single cat Tait on the Alamein line :
th-cam.com/video/E9fRbbAXvSU/w-d-xo.html
May be of interest. Unfortunately the odd modified end has ended up shaded more than the standard end.
I recall when one ran the weekday Altona to Newport shuttles and the few timetabled Newport to Williamstown shuttles it was coupled with another Tait trailer. I recall travelling from North Williamstown and seeing the odd internal ticket window and counter at one end.
Good video that one!
Adriaan, the first single Tait Carriage train appeared on the Hurstbridge line ~1968/9, I know this because I lived at H/Bridge on Main Rd and used to watch the Tait's and the Harris Sets AKA Red Trains and Blue Trains come and go from my bedroom. FWIW from my vague memory it used to run Sundays between H/Bridge and Eltham Cheers for now
The Harris need to be next
Yes
Really informative and helpful video, thanks very much Martin. My thousands of hours creating the MSTS Taits pale into insignificance now that I can order a set in three dimensions!
Cheers Matt! I do miss those MSTS days sometimes, but it really was a huge amount of work.
Mr tautest, I too have waited all my life for a model of this train. The fact that I model Puffing Billy in O scale (exclusively) had no bearing what so ever in ordering the same models as you orders. The difference being I went for the seven car set the VR blue and gold parcel van added the old version red parcel van and walker rail motor at the same time. So much for being dedicated to o scale as one would expect. I love the models just as much as you do.
Ignoring the 00 scale Triang VR liveried Sydney EMU set from the 1960's of course.... Nicely done Sir
An excellent review mate! Really well put together!
I haven’t opened mine yet, as I’m waiting for the DCC & sound chips.
Keen to see that G car in the mix!
Glad you enjoyed it! I had originally hoped to have the G car ready by the time these arrived, but it obviously still has a fair way to go. I'll post a video of them running together once I get it finished!
@@Taitset Nice! Looking forward to it!
Taitset, you should do other Aussie metropolitan model trains like this!!!
I don't currently own any others, but I probably will when the Auscision Harris arrives!
awesome tait modeo i got the 4 car sets and add some working Hornby screw couplers
I'm not a modeller but I found this video very interesting. I never saw the Tait parcel vans in actual service (I didn't move to Melbourne until 2011 and was only an occasional visitor prior to then). I'm almost tempted to get a parcel van model just for decorative purposes!
The parcels vans in service are seen by searching TH-cam for :
NFSA On Time
Although they lasted into the eighties from memory.
I assume this is the video you're talking about John: th-cam.com/video/lVvff2Jf1a4/w-d-xo.html
@@Taitset yes that's the vid. Parcels briefly coveted about five minutes in. I should have provided a link, but another channel put me of by deleting four relevant links I posted showing E class steam in use. Thanks for allowing links.
Some channels automatically block comments with links, as a high proportion of spam comments contain links. I just manually approve them.
we need more model videos
First review I have seen of these long awaited Tait sets appropriately by Taitset.
Thanks very much.
Great looking models mate.Especially that parcels loco.🇬🇧👍
Nice Video
I know someone that got a Tait and can’t wait to see in person!
I didn’t decide to get one myself
My 2CM had afew paint defects as well, really small but certainly there
Marvellous.
Does anyone remember seeing an IPEC branded parcels van? I haven’t seen any photos of it online.
Could you do a video on the SEM DERM?
exellent australian EMU train,indonesia also have electric locomotive made in 1919 too
Enjoy the review mate. I have a point to layout as well. Have you set up any automation? Traits are perfect to automate as they are double ended.
Thanks! No I haven't, but you're right this would be very well suited to it.
@@Taitset just wondering what sort or variants there were in Tait sets? Was it just disc and spoked wheels as you mentioned? Or was there different carriages included in the sets?
Yeah there were loads of differences, it's probably one of the most diverse types of train I can think of. For one thing there were M, T, D and G cars (and the double ended M cars), which were broadly arranged in standard 4 and 7 car sets, but over time it was possible to see consists ranging anything from 1 to 8 cars. Some variations were modifications made to the whole fleet over time, while some were dependent on the cars build date. For instance the later cars had the arch/elliptical roof. The type of underframe bracing also changed on the later cars. In the last decade or so of service they had the windows in the door recesses plated over (as seen on these models). When first introduced they had no headlight, and a vertical air whistle rather than the three chime horn. The M cars also had plate frame bogies, and GE cross-arm pantographs. Most of that stuff was changed around the 50's. They went through about 5 or 6 different liveries over time too. The later cars had steel plating on the sides, to various different extents. And there are way more small variations.
You should get power lines
One day!
Hey @taitset a comeng is coming soon how great if auscision is going to make a comeng why not 394M
Yep I will definitely get one!
@@Taitset ye I think I will too but it's going to be a edi like why not
cool about time i dont care about price
Nice review mate not sure if i will get one they are quite expensive and im also modeling a regional line. Did they ever get hauled by a diesel train?. I agree a comeng in HO scale would be nice or even any of the other surburban electric trains would be nice.
In the early days they were sometimes hauled beyond the wires by steam locos for special events and things. I doubt it ever happened on a regular basis with diesels. However there have been one-off cases of it happening, like when the preserved set was returned from Ballarat to Melbourne behind a 930 in 1984: www.flickr.com/photos/gcargeeg/43274738791/
@@Taitset also the Tait G cars were designed for country use at holiday times. The G meant gas lighting beyond the wires.
Reduced city work travel at holiday times meant a few G cars would not be missed. I think into the early diesel era on shorter runs but Trickey to track down since most photos taken were of the loco end.
I also travelled behind the 930 on that run.
I should add that the Tait is as modified after the mid seventies when the windows where the doors slide into were replaced by more vandal resistant panels. By this time rare country use was just on fan trips.
The Harris sets with diesel haulage became preferred for shifting large numbers of country people for rare special events such as a Royal or Papal visit.
A benefit of using Harris cars for such operations in the diesel era was also that they had auto couplings, whereas a Tait set would require a transition vehicle (ie the Z van on that 930 tour).