OH - Overhead Maintenance vehicles


In 1915, a fleet of _H__ vans were fitted with roof platforms for the overhead wire installation. The train of about fifteen vans was used by the contractor for the work. Once the project was completed, the vans were used for maintenance. Over the years the vans were gradually scrapped. When the Gippsland electrification project started in the early 1950's, a new train was required.

A redundant fleet of _F__ and _FF_ horseboxes were used to make roof platform vans. Some scrap underframes were converted to flat trucks to carry the reels of wire.

The number group was 1 to 32.

The overhead train composed of these vehicles ran until the mid 1980's when it was replaced by road vehicles fitted with 'HiRail' gear, platforms and 'cherry pickers'. The main reason for the change was the method of working. There were about three types of work being performed along the top of the platform and the work progressed at the speed of the slowest job. By moving to Hi-Rail equipment, it was possible to use fewer workers and the pace could be improved. When the fastest job was done, then those workers could then be used to assist the follow up crews.

Vehicle history list