State Car No.2 was lengthened and renamed to "Melville" in October 1919.
State Car No.2 was built in 1901 for a royal visit. In traffic, the car was known as "Alexandra"
The underframe was lengthened in 1919 by 5' to accommodate an access platform each end.
The car was fitted with an electric generator plant for service as a mobile radio station 3YB. The generator plant was to provide the necessary broadcasting power in country Victoria.
At the time, the early 1930's, there was no statewide electricity grid. Only large towns operated generating plants.
From the 1950's, the generating plant was used as a power supply for excursion trains such as the "Train of Knowledge" ( TOK ) , a chartered train of school children that toured Victoria.
As well the car provided power to special trains as required.
The car passed to historical reservation groups in the 1990's and at 1997 was situated at Seymour.
State Car 2 .VH - 30/ 4/1901 - Built new WHB
/ /1908 - Note [PJV]: Underframe tare and number applied to wrong car in diagrams book
13/10/1919 - To Melville .VH 'renamed ...'
*Melville .VH - 9/ 9/1932 - Into Workshops -
7/10/1932 - Out of Workshops (29 days)
/ 4/1956 - Modified Cont - AC
File c160v03 compiled by Peter J. Vincent, updated 6/7/2007