Historical information

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.

Physical description

A black & white photo of a swing door train destined for Croydon at rest at Mont Albert station.