Historical information
In March 2024, Milissa Box (DTP) was at a trash and treasure market. She'd found a $5 photo album for sale with some photos that she thought might be of interest…
From what I can gather it belonged to the gentleman pictured who was a worker at Dandenong in the Comeng and ABB eras. He appears to have worked on the Z3, A1/A2, B1/B2 class trams, Hong Kong LRVs, Comeng Melbourne suburban trains, and later the extra Victorian-purchased XP power cars and XAM sleepers to enable the Riverina XPT to be extended to Melbourne.
It's clear he was very proud of the vehicles he'd helped to build.
I have scanned a selection of the images, which appear to be a mix of official builder's portraits, team photos, and self-taken shots showing candid everyday scenes on the shop floor. There are also images of the launch of the XP power cars with then-Victorian Premier Joan Kirner; and some personal visits to see the Flying Scotsman, Victorian Goldfields Railway, Coal Creek, etc.
Filename Description Date
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0001 Three Comeng workers (including the photographer) stand in front of Comeng suburban train 697M (Chopper unit) c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0002 Three Comeng workers (including the photographer) stand in front of Comeng suburban train 697M (Chopper unit) c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0003 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 being lifted onto its transport loader c. 1987-88
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0004 Walter Wright transport truck (Mack) waits to draw a heavy transport platform out of a shed at Comeng Dandenong. Hong Kong Phase I LRV (1024) can be seen inside the shed c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0005 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 on its transport loader in a shed at Comeng Dandenong ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0006 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 on its transport loader in a shed at Comeng Dandenong ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0007 The photographer is pictured fitting components to the cab of a Phase I Hong Kong LRV No 1026 c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0008 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 on its transport loader at Comeng Dandenong ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0009 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 on its transport loader at Comeng Dandenong ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0010 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1013 on its transport loader at Comeng Dandenong ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0011 The photographer and a colleague are pictured in the car park posing for a photo at Comeng Dandenong c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0012 The photographer and a colleague are pictured inside the cab of Comeng suburban train 697M, posing for a photo at Comeng Dandenong c. 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0013 A stainless steel Hitachi train bodyshell is being transported on a truck-trailer. Possibly taken at Martin and King in Bayswater, under transport to the station for railing to Somerton for fitout. This is a later series M car with the rear-mounted pantograph (note the mounting lugs above the non-driving end) c. 1980
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0014 A shot at Comeng Dandenong of the onsite workforce standing in front of a Phase I Hong Kong LRV. c.1987-88
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0015 A shot at Comeng Dandenong of the onsite workforce standing in front of a Phase I Hong Kong LRV. c.1987-88
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0016 Hong Kong Light Rail Phase 1 LRV 1038 on its transport loader at Port of Melbourne ready for transport c. 1988
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0017 Three Comeng workers (including the photographer) stand in front of a workbench at Comeng Dandenong c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0018 A newly completed Comeng train (wearing VicRail teacup orange) on the factory access track at Comeng Dandenong c. 1981
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0019 A newly completed Z3 class tram on a transporter, with its bogie frames waiting transport to Preston Workshops for final fitout and commissioning c. 1981
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0020 A newly completed Comeng train (wearing VicRail teacup orange) on the factory access track at Comeng Dandenong c. 1981
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0021 A newly completed Z3 class tram on a transporter, with its bogie frames waiting transport to Preston Workshops for final fitout and commissioning c. 1981
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0022 A Comeng/ABB artist impression presumably part of their bid for the Double Decker demonstrator train for Melbourne. Note the similarity to similar Comeng sets constructed for Sydney. c. Nov 1989 – April 1990
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0023 Victorian Railways steam locomotive K 169 on static display at Coal Creek. c. 1980s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0024 Comeng suburban train carriage 1190T on a traverser in the yard at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0025 Comeng suburban train carriages the yard at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0026 Comeng suburban train carriages the yard at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0027 Comeng suburban train carriages the yard at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0028 Comeng suburban train carriages the yard at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0029 Comeng suburban train in a shed at Comeng Dandenong. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0030 Comeng suburban train carriage 1190T on a traverser in the yard at Comeng Dandenong – possible Factory Acceptance Inspection by the Met c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0031 Comeng suburban train carriage 1190T being tractor-shunted in the yard at Comeng Dandenong – possible Factory Acceptance Inspection by the Met c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0032 Two Comeng workers carry a train part (possibly a first aid kit) for fitting to a Comeng suburban train. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0033 Comeng suburban train carriage 1190T on a traverser in the yard at Comeng Dandenong – possible Factory Acceptance Inspection by the Met. One of the Met staff appears to be giving one of the Comeng workers a kiss on the cheek. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0034 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops; while what appears to be a classic AP6 Valiant Safari Wagon is in the foreground. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0035 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops; while a worker poses for a photo with his hand on the rigging. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0036 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops; An HT Holden Belmont sedan has been posed in front to appear as if it is towing the heavy vehicle. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0037 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops; An HT Holden Belmont sedan has been posed in front to appear as if it is towing the heavy vehicle. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0038 A1 Class tram 232 is pictured up on stands while various A/B class tram cab frames are in the foreground in various stages of assembly. Of note, 232 appears to have been returned to Dandenong for major repair or other work, and shows signs of having been in traffic for some time (weathering and wear) c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0039 various A/B class tram cab frames are in the foreground in various stages of assembly. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0040 A group of Comeng Dandenong workers stopped on a tea break. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0041 An A/B Class tram cab being fitted out with electronics and controls. c. June-July 1989
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0042 A new Comeng suburban train in Metropolitan Transit livery on the test track at Comeng Dandenong. c. mid 1980s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0043 A new Comeng suburban train in Metropolitan Transit livery on the test track at Comeng Dandenong. c. mid 1980s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0044 Interior shot of a new Comeng suburban train at Comeng Dandenong. c. mid 1980s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0045 Interior shot of a new Comeng suburban train at Comeng Dandenong. c. mid 1980s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0046 The exterior sign at Dandenong showing ABB brand. Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0047 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops. Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0048 The Brush generator and Paxman Valenta engine as fitted inside a new XP power car for NSW Countrylink (paid for by Victoria) c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0049 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car for NSW under construction (paid for by Victoria) c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0050 Two new XAM class XPT sleeper carriages under construction at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0051 A B2 class tram under construction at Comeng Dandenong Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0052 A B2 class tram under construction at Comeng Dandenong Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0053 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car for NSW being moved out of the shed c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0054 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0055 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0056 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0057 B2 class trams under construction at Comeng Dandenong Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0058 An XP Powercar from NSW wearing the Intercity XPT Candy Livery at Comeng Dandenong. It is not known if this was originally painted in this livery (incorrectly) or if this was one of the first delivered series transported to Dandenong to aid the construction process of the four additional locomotives. Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0059 Melbourne B2 Class tram B2.2100 (renumbered from 2102) painted in the distinctive Chocolate and Cream livery to mark the completion of 100 B2 class trams Early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0060 A factory forklift wearing a hand painted “We love Labo(u)r” cardboard sign, possibly in connection to a media event with the Victorian Premier onsite at Comeng Dandenong. c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0061 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0062 Two new new Countrylink XP power cars under construction and final fitout at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0063 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car on the traverser at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0064 A B2 Class tram is on a low-loader multiwheel transport trailer waiting transport to Preston Workshops. A large banner is draped on the side explaining that this is the 106th vehicle delivered to the Public Transport Corporation (B2.2108). c. Oct 1992 (based on delivery date)
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0065 Victorian Premier Joan Kirner addresses a group of dignitaries in front of an ABB banner inside the main administration building at Dandenong, on the occasion of the first XPT power car purchased by Victoria being unveiled at a media event c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0066 An ABB executive addresses a group of dignitaries in front of an ABB banner inside the main administration building at Dandenong, on the occasion of the first XPT power car purchased by Victoria being unveiled at a media event c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0067 Victorian Premier Joan Kirner addresses the media in front of a completed XP class XPT power car at Dandenong, on the occasion of the first XPT power car purchased by Victoria being unveiled at a media event c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0068 An exterior shot of a new Countrylink XP power car at Comeng Dandenong c. 1992
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0069 A Melbourne B2 class tram undergoing testing on the test circuit at ABB Dandenong c. early 1990s
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0070 An XPlorer type DMU emerges from a shed at ABB Dandenong c.1994
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0071 Voith final drive axle mounted units for XPlorer railcars waiting to be fitted at Dandenong. c.1994
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0072 A completed XAM class sleeper carriage at ABB Dandenong. c.1993
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0073 Completed XPlorer railcars wait transfer to South Dynon for bogie exchange and transfer to NSW at ABB Dandenong. c. 1994
Comeng Scans 2024-03-05 0074 A clipping from an ABB internal newsletter outlining the staff-led initiative to commemorate the 100th B2 class tram with a special livery c.1992
Has photographs of ABB, Steamrail tours, Castlemaine and Maldon Railway, Fying Scotsman 4472 visit and Puffing Billy.
Significance
Yields information about the people and events at Commonwealth Engineering plant Dandenong and the activities of the unknown compiler.
Physical description
Album containing 40 leaves, photos in a heavy card 3 ring spring binder.
