The Harris blue electric trains were introduced in c1955 and followed the 'Red Rattlers'. They had a long life and were named after Norman Charles Harris, Chairman of Commissioners of the Victorian Railways, between 1940 and 1950. The first 30 7-carriage trains, known as the first series, were constructed in the United Kingdom by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and delivered between 1956 and 1959. Another 30, the second series, were built by Martin & King in Melbourne, and delivered between 1961 and 1967. The trains had either two or three sets of hand-operated dual sliding doors per carriage side. Later they were fitted with power doors. Initially, until late 1978, the interiors were split into smoking and no-smoking compartments. In 1978 smoking on trains was abolished. Carriages were also designated as First or Second class until 1958, when one class travel was introduced. they had florescent lights but no heating. Most of the early carriages did not have end doors and gangways between carriages, but safety concerns led these being incorporated in the sets delivered from mid-1966. With the exceptions of the last few carriages built, all Harris trains contained asbestos insulation. The first sets contained blue asbestos, and the later sets contained white asbestos in the linings for insulation of noise and temperature. Due to the presence of asbestos, they began to be withdrawn from the mid-1980s and most were disposed of in the 1990s, by being buried at Talbot Quarry in Clayton, some having been wrapped in plastic. No original Harris trailer cars remain. A coloured photograph of a blue Harris electric train heading towards Surrey Hills station from Mont Albert station. The electricity sub-station and Lorne Parade are on the RHS of the photo and Beresford Street on the LHS. The grey, smoggy appearance of the sky suggests a winter's morning.surrey hills, trains, lorne parade, beresford street, norman charles harris, gloucester railway carriage and wagon company, martin & king, talbot quarry, harris blue train

This was a special run for rail enthusiasts and marked the official opening of the first train from Ferntree Gully to Belgrave after the line from Upper Ferntree Gully was converted to broad gauge and electrified.A black and white photograph of the rear of a train with passengers alighting at Surrey Hills station. Signage on the rear indicates that the train was a special excursion marking the electrification of the rail from Ferntree Gully to Belgrave.A sign at the rear of the train states: "First train / Sunday February 18 / Special Excursion / Ferntree Gully Belgrave / Electrification"surrey hills, transport, trains, railways, rail electrification, special rail excursions, official opening

This book focuses on the area's history and traces the development through settlement, adaptation and consolidation to the present. It discusses the history of early families, the railway, land boomers, churches and school. Robin da Costa, later Mrs Robin da Costa- Adams, came to live in Balwyn Road, Canterbury and joined the Canterbury History Group.Hardback book of 144 pages, indexed with multiple black and white photos.In Jocelyn Hall's writing: "Donated to Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre".(mr) james blackburn, meader's travellers' rest hotel, blackburn hotel, blackburn post office, blackburn railway station, blackburn pioneers, blackburn company, (mr) george augustus goodwin, (mr) thomas r b morton, blackburn brick works, st john's anglican church, blackburn methodist church, blackburn church of christ, blackburn presbyterian church, st thomas the apostle peace memorial church, seagoe common school, the courier blackburn, blackburn library, blackburn primary school, blackburn open-air school, blackburn creek hotel, blackburn college, blackburn kindergarten, newark grammar, blackburn hall, morton park, blackburn lake sanctuary, backhouse's dairy, blackburn lake, wandinong sanctuary, barelli bakehouse, blackburn cool store, blue moon fruit co-operative ltd, 1st blackburn scouts troop, blackburn and district tree preservation society, hotels, (ms) robin da costa

A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.surrey hills, railways, land use, migrants, spanish communities, transport, houses, wattle park, festivals and celebrations, churches, education, water supply, fire stations, hospitals, (mr) george klepper, ainger family, (mr) john woodhead, (mr) h. breedon, medical services, real estate agents, businesses, musical events and activities, entertainment, parks and reserves, scouts, guides

A pictorial history of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert based on information collected by the history group at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes information about early rural properties and dairies, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, doctors, schools, churches, parks and recreation facilities.A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.1992surrey hills, railways, land use, migrants, spanish communities, transport, houses, wattle park, festivals and celebrations, churches, education, water supply, fire stations, hospitals, (mr) george klepper, ainger family, (mr) john woodhead, (mr) h. breedon, medical services, real estate agents, businesses, musical events and activities, entertainment, parks and reserves, scouts, guides

This publication is a collection of reminiscences in Mont Albert including the Hamilton Street Shopping Centre, the trains, how the author spent his time after school, and games played during the war.This publication is a collection of reminiscences in Mont Albert including the Hamilton Street Shopping centre, the trains, how the author spent his time after school, and games played during the war.high street, mont albert, trafalgar street, hamilton street, zetland road, st. georges avenue, brehaut's engineering works, transport, horse-drawn vehicles, mont albert station, railway stations, inglisby road, whitehorse road, boot and bicycle repairer, mont albert shopping centre, (mr) - tarry, (mr) - anderson, hairdresser, grocer, (mr) - harrison, (mr) - murphy, fuel merchant, (mr) - salmon

Trains with electric swing doors were often referred to as "dog boxes" or "doggies". They were manufactured at the Newport Workshops for the Victorian Railways. Swing Door cars had outward-opening doors. They were reasonably narrow, to ensure that two passing trains would not foul each other if doors were accidentally left open. The donor George Lister Coop was about 20 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database. A black & white photo of a swing door train destined for Croydon at rest at Mont Albert station.

The train is headed towards Surrey Hills station. In the background are the Hamilton Street shops with advertising posters on their rear walls. The donor George Lister Coop was about 27 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database. A black & white photo of a Harris train destined for Flinders Street that has passed through Mont Albert station, which can just be seen in the background. Behind the train on the rear walls of buildings are advertising for Haydn Real Estate and K&M Murray selling Toppa Ice Cream.advertising signs, george l coop, mont albert station, trains, haydn real estate, toppa ice cream, k & m murray, hamilton street shops

The donor George Lister Coop was about 19 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database. This documents the original building on the northern platform of the Mont Albert station. The railway line was extended out to Lilydale with work commencing in 1882. It is not known exactly when the Mont Albert station was built, but it opened in 1890. It is presumed that this building was demolished when the third line was constructed in 1971. At this time the nearby Surrey Hills original station buildings were demolished.A black & white photo of Mont Albert station taken from the north platform adjacent to High Street, looking towards Box Hill. It clearly shows the bend in the line beyond the platforms. it also shows both the original buildings; the one on the north side having been demolished. There is a lady on the south platform adjacent to Hamilton Street. The roof line only of one of the Hamilton Road shops can be seen.george lister coop, mont albert station, 1956, hamilton street shops

In the foreground is Dr Blakie's first surgery, later the Police Station, then a Service station. Behind and to the left are the two railway station buildings. On the horizon and in front of the pine trees is 'Montalto', home of the Hansen family, later Dr Box (demolished). Two storey terrace of shops in front of this is Hansen's Terrace. In centre, note smoke from steam train. On corner of Guildford Rd is a Gas Lamp. The first trees have been planted in Union Road and are protected with stout wood surround.Black and white photograph of a view of Surrey Hills. Written on the bottom left hand side "SURREY HILLS - FROM THE NORTH". In the foreground are two trees on the right hand side before a view leading up the hill. dr blakie, police station, hansen terrace, dr box, montalto, guildford rd, gas lamp, union road

After the Mont Albert Railway Station opened in 1890, 50 ratepayers petitioned the Nunawading Council to oppose the sale of the railway reserve to the north in order for it to be a recreation reserve.non-fictionAfter the Mont Albert Railway Station opened in 1890, 50 ratepayers petitioned the Nunawading Council to oppose the sale of the railway reserve to the north in order for it to become a recreation reserve.mont albert, railway stations, surrey hills golf club