In the drivers seat, Tait train on the Sandringham line, Feb 2024

Travel in the drivers cab with the driver in this restored TAIT train that is over 100 years old. A rare look at what happens inside the cab of one of these classic trains that were the backbone of the Melbourne suburban rail system for so many years. This is a special train running shuttle trips for the general public on the Sandringham line in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in February 2024.
#train #driverseyeview #driversview #traindriversview #heritage

[@NSWGR3827]

Good to see the Driver at work as well, rather than just a forward facing view. 👍

[@driver667]

I can show this on heritage trains. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@robertaquilina3848]

I drove taits many times back in the day loved every minute of it

[@driver667]

A good time to drive Robert. Very different to today. 👍😄

[@driver667]

@@HoolyDooly-si2zz as long as the air is moving. 🤔🤣🤣👍

[@raycrosher4169]

I can tell you also. these trains. we're. so reliable they never broke down

[@driver667]

@@raycrosher4169 simple, basic trains. 👍😄

[@Tony_P]

I thought it would never happen , but finally we have a cabride in a Tait !! Thank you sir !!

[@driver667]

You are most welcome. I am glad you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@gregbowen617]

Beautiful old trains - back in the late 70's I used to catch this line to art school in Prahran and very often it was a 'Red Train' that I caught... noisy, draughty and often full of cigarette smoke, winter was not always a pleasant memory...we are so blessed to have this historic preservation available to us...

[@driver667]

It is great that it has been preserved for future generations to experience. Glad you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@michaeljones1432]

Amen

[@raycrosher4169]

I am 77 now. these Tait's I thought. we're so comfortable to ride on travelled on them to and from work in the sixties. and seventies god bless them

[@driver667]

They were fun. I travelled on them in my school days. 👍😀

[@michaeljones1432]

THIS IS "GOLD" many thanx

[@driver667]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@Austech]

Thanks for passing on the link to me in your other video. I did watch a video recently that was a Tait cabin view from back in the early 80's that was very interesting and it's great to see that they haven't had to fill this one with too much in the way of modern equipment. They are an amazing train, when I was riding in them in the early 80's they would have been 60 odd years old. It's a pity some couldn't be retained like with the W Class trams. My grandfather worked for the Railways from the late 1940's after he got back from WW2 until compulsory retirement age in the 1980's. His brother, my great uncle, also worked for the railways from the early 1960's and was Station Master at I think* it was Seaford from about 1970 until he retired. He is still alive aged 97.

[@driver667]

It is great that this TAIT is still running for everyone to enjoy. Glad it brought back memories for you. 👍😀

[@MargaretCampbell583]

STEAMRAIL yay It does bring back memories of those old red rattlers Thank you 😊

[@driver667]

You're welcome. Very happy you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@therealsammyvee888]

That's so awesome you were able to get a video from the cab of the restored Tait.

[@driver667]

It does provide a unique view of the operation of the Tait train. Very happy you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@ianrx122]

Love the sound of those traction motors whining. Nice work.

[@driver667]

Thank you. They do sound good when the throttle is opened up. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@glennp1690]

So many cool memory's from my childhood, cheer's my friend.

[@driver667]

You're welcome. I am very happy you enjoyed the ride in the Tait. 👍😀

[@simongreen2531]

Great to see you again Colin after such a long time. Look forward to seeing you at the open day.

[@driver667]

Yes, same seeing you. 👍 I'll see you at the open day 👍😀

[@The_Real_DreamM]

Awesome video. I guess driver comfort and ergonomics wasn’t a consideration back in the day 🤣. Thanks really cool video 👍

[@driver667]

The driver didn't get any great comforts back then. He was just there to do a job 😀😀👍

[@aidanthomas2510]

I didn't know until watching a Taitset (ironically) video that these trains are indeed manned by V/Line drivers and crews so this makes sense. Great video.

[@driver667]

Thank you. I am very happy you enjoyed the ride 😀 👍

[@Paul-hm3bo]

Ah! The old Red Rattlers. Bring back so many good memories. 😀👍👍

[@driver667]

They were great to travel in. Very happy you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Fabulous video, never thought I would see or hear such a thing. The drivers cab is quite austere. Not much knee room for a taller driver and not even a proper chair. It makes me appreciate even more all the rides I had in the fabulous Taits on this very line in the 1980's. That wheel flat is brutal too, can't imagine having to listen to that all through a shift. Thank you for this video, it's great. 😊👍

[@driver667]

You're welcome. The driver was not afforded many comforts back years ago. It's great that this is still available for people to experience what was. Very happy you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@driver667 Oh yes, it's wonderful that the set exists. There are some truly dedicated restorers to thank.

[@driver667]

@@PaulinesPastimes for sure 👍👍😀

[@bluckfox]

Driver667 i just got the victorian rail ways tait electric suburban train pack add on for microsoft train simulator great video keep up the great work Driver667 im new here great channel

[@driver667]

Sounds interesting. Welcome to the channel. Very happy you enjoyed the video 👍😀

[@warrenhennessy7684]

Thanks it's great to see the Tait train from the drivers perspective God bless you driver 667more Of the Red rattlers in Melbourne would be great 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✝️✝️✝️✝️🐨🐨🦘🦘🌞😎💯 per cent for you driver 667

[@driver667]

You're welcome Warren. I am very happy you enjoyed the ride in the Tait train. 👍😀😀

[@pug2411]

Great video from different perspectives

[@driver667]

Very happy you enjoyed the video 👍 😀

[@jamesgovett3225]

Geez the comfort of the driver obviously was an afterthought back in the teens last century, it must have been a cold environment during our cold winters let alone lack of air-con in hot summers! And it looks akin to sitting on a couple of wooden boxes with a a pad for your butt and back! No reclining in comfort here and strewth if you happened to have a bit of sciatica or a bad back and you were over 6’ tall it would have been a proper bastard of an office to work no wonder I remember as a kid jumping on these taits and swing doors back in the sixties And observed the drivers pulling in to our station with nary a smile in their faces and remember most of them looked as if they were in pain when changing ends for the return trip!

[@driver667]

@@jamesgovett3225 there were no great thoughts for comfort for the driver back then. Just get in and do your job. 😂😂👍😀

[@bconppp]

thanks so much for this it was a look back how my relitive drove the red taiits a very very long time ago 👍👍

[@driver667]

You're welcome. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@jamesmunro7369]

Over 40 years ago I left the ERD I could walk back in and run a red no worries you never forget.

[@driver667]

Like riding a bike. I'm sure you would be quite at home in the seat. 👍😀😀

[@norsehall309]

G'day, thanks for the ride, fantastic old red rattler, brings back memories, pity they don't use them anymore, used too love the Country trains with the red rattler coach's suck good fun as a kid, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@driver667]

They were fun to ride in, that's for sure. It's nice to be able to get on them every so often. 👍😀

[@gregthompson3274]

Marvellous video,remember riding many rattlers from the 60s to early 80s,it's nice some still ply the lines they once dominated,and their horn is still the best one

[@driver667]

It is great that it is preserved for future generations to experience riding in a Tait train. Very happy you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@cabbagepatch8947]

Many thanks.

[@driver667]

You're welcome. Very happy you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@xr6lad]

@ 1:10. Going by my apartment block (before the footbridge). Coming into Elsternwick (which in the 1950’s was a street level crossing). One of the earlier level crossing removals. My balcony looks down on the tracks and have seen many a heritage train (steam) go by.

[@driver667]

The perfect spot to relax and watch the trains roll by 👍😀

[@offthegridwithbert924]

Always wanted to see this, all the years I listened to my father going on about riding in Taits as a kid, nice to finally see a drivers view. Sounds like she has a flat spot on one of the wheels though, a very clear movement of the cab up and down too as a result.

[@driver667]

A 100 plus year old machine. A pleasure to ride in. It does have a bit of a flat, should be remedied some time soon. Glad you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@PaulNoake]

This is awesome thanks Sharpie, Gee I miss the sound of the traction motors

[@driver667]

They do sound good I have to say. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@PaulNoake]

@@driver667 it reminded me of my youth when my family used to go to the Lake Oval to see South Melbourne play in the 70s, early 80s . By 6 car Tait I'm really showing my age now 🤣🤣

[@driver667]

@@PaulNoake 🤣🤣 you're not alone. I also remember catching them after school just travelling around on the trains before going home. 🤣👍😀

[@AZqyc]

[ x ] An interesting perspective!! Thanks!! [Greetings from Tucson]

[@driver667]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed this look into the cab. Greetings. 👍😀

[@geoff825]

I rode the Red Rattlers for many years. Hot day, doors open, black brake dust floating in the sunlight (shudder to think what was in it! 😱) Thanks for another great video.👍

[@driver667]

You're welcome. The good old days. 🤣 Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@johnsergei]

Iron brake blocks (used on freight trains today) have a different (& lesser smell) Er, it wasn't iron blocks. Adelaide Red Hens & likely many other trains had the same brake smell.

[@driver667]

@@johnsergei 👍😀

[@darylcheshire1618]

The VR used to join and detach Taits at Flinders St. They were seven cars long and four cars on Sundays. You’d ask the SM “how long is the next train?”, he’d look at his watch thoughtfully and reply “about … seven carriages”.

[@driver667]

🤣🤣👍😀

[@tomhenry6440]

So hot when it operated, 39 degrees 🥵🥵

[@driver667]

It was a warm day alright 👍 😀

[@robertaquilina3848]

Good on you adam youre driving a real unlike an xtrap siemens hcmt

[@driver667]

He was enjoying himself. A very good driver. 👍 😄

[@robbieberry9700]

Love the tait train 😊

[@driver667]

Very happy you enjoyed the ride on the Tait. 👍😀

[@FinbarSutton2]

Nice

[@driver667]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@JordysRailVideos]

I think I saw myself and a mate around the 1:30 at Elsternwick

[@driver667]

👋👋hello 😀😀👍

[@HiilikedoingYoutube]

DUDE AWEOSOME VIDEO!

[@driver667]

Thank you. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@christopher-2000]

Awesome video

[@driver667]

Very happy to hear you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Im from the northern suburbs and when i go to the beach i feel i need my passport getting off at ' Sandy '.Another world away😅.

[@driver667]

🤣 a nice day out on a hot day 👍😀

[@IanBrodie-bg1lu]

does that bring back memories,i loved these "red rattlers",basic but full of character.On a hot day you could open the door and stand in the doorway.My mate and I decided, one day, to go rabbit shooting.We caught a red rattler at Moorabbin to go to Frankston .Sat down with our automatic 22's between our knees.No one gave us a second glance.These days we would've had the Swat squad,been charged with terrorism and probably ended up in the slammer.How times have changed,from my point of view,not for the better.Now that reminded me of my 22.I went to trade school,Footscray tech.Nicholson street.Opposite was a pawn broker.Th e 22 ,a Sportomatic made in South Aus.was priced at 15 quid.I was 16 years old .Bought my rifle and carried home on a peak hour red rattler.Again,no one batted an eye.Mum and dad never worried that I was the proud owner of a semi auto rifle.In later years It was declared illegal by a nanny government ,had to get rid of it.

[@driver667]

Those old red rattlers with doors open were the only way to travel 😀😀👍

[@darylcheshire1618]

In the ‘70s, Jeff Hook the cartoonist for The Sun would draw magnificant Taits, there was plenty of material, during train strikes, delays and general incompetance by the VR, highlighting how the Melbourne travelling public put up with Taits for six decades by a succession of governments not willing to buy new rolling stock, there never seemed to be enough Harrises, Hitachis or Comeng cars to completely replace the Taits. My favourte Hook picture was a Tait train with square wheels rumbling along with a passenger reading a newspaper with the headline “RED MENACE” referring to communist China but the Tait with the square wheels was the real red menace. Jeff also beautifully portrayed the average delapidated railway station crowded with commuters (usually raining) who were complaining about fare increases and or late trains.

[@driver667]

He was a Melbourne icon 👍😀

[@emdB67]

His portrayal of Taits tended to include nuts, bolts and springs flying off them in all directions too. 😂

[@darylcheshire1618]

@@emdB67 Yes I remember that. You can see them on his website.

[@darylcheshire1618]

@@emdB67 I once went on a tour of the Jolimont Workshops and on the ground I found a very large brass nut about 5cm in diameter, I still have it .. somewhere.

[@driver667]

🤔🤔👍😀

[@darylcheshire1618]

because I had a bicycle, I rode in the guard’s compartment, I would watch the ammeter jump to 100A, I think it might have even gone up to 500A, not sure.

[@driver667]

A good place to ride 😀👍

[@sjt275]

The quality of the woodwork ,leather work ,vinyl on a Red Rattler was amazing , A 100 years ? 200 and it will still run ......on the other hand the windows always got stuck ....too much body flex I guess !

[@driver667]

They don't make them like that any more. 🤔👍😀

[@thebops4180]

You could stick your head out of the passenger windows :) Times have changed LOL . . . Lots of enthusiasts :)

[@driver667]

Times have certainly changed, that's for sure. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😀

[@johnsergei]

On Taits, PL cars & Adelaide Red Hens, you could sit right alongside an open doorway (sort of like the rail version of motorcycling) & all those trains were rougher riding, noisier (& noisier track in many places) than modern trains, along with all their aromas. GEE! sounds like a cooking show, though some of those smells were toxic. Modern pass trains do their job well, but are so sterile.

[@driver667]

@@johnsergei the old trains certainly had character about them. That's what I miss about the old trains. It's great getting on a heritage train and reliving those memories. 👍😀

[@MichaelBeeny]

Sounds like one of the wheels has a bit of a flat on it.

[@driver667]

It does indeed. Should be nice and smooth again soon. 👍😀

[@STYtrainspotter2007]

hot day that was, I was at North Brighton when that Siemens past, I thought for sure it was going to block us

[@driver667]

It was a pretty warm day but still a good day out. 👍😀

[@driver667]

It was a pretty warm day but still a good day out. 👍😀

[@brianmcgill7314]

Reminds me of a W class team controls 🤔

[@driver667]

Looks a bit like it 😀😀👍

[@johnsergei]

Similar, but much more weight. So despite much higher power, slower to respond to controls. Trams can operate on steep grades, so much more caution on releasing the brakes, not too soon on upgrades. rolled back a few inches in Collen's St today. "RUFF, RUFF!" (which it was).

[@driver667]

@@johnsergei 😂👍😀

[@Seiskid]

Looks very uncomfortable for the driver. Especially when he had to sit cramped up like that all day. You'd think by moving the seat and a few controls around slightly VR could have improved things a lot. Ergonomics obviously wasn't a thing at the turn of the century.

[@driver667]

It not as bad as it looks but certainly not up to today's expectations. We have come a long way since then. Glad you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀

[@noelroberts8199]

I used to ride these beautiful trains when I was a kid in the 50's, you would slide the window down, that was the air cond in Summer, and the seats were plush with the baggage racks above you, they are a work of art the good old Red Rattlers, I am surprised by the restricted view the driver gets from the front window, it is hard to see the right side of the track and the very bouncy ride you get especially over points, plenty of creature comforts for the driver including a small fan to keep them cool, love the sound of the horn on the Taits full of authority.... 🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋

[@driver667]

They certainly were a great train for Melbourne with lots of fond memories 👍😀

[@HezaLife]

Hey mate, this is great love the historic trains! Would you be able to go to Bendigo if possible? More specifically woodend?

[@driver667]

There are videos I have done of the entire Bendigo line. Updated video of Bendigo also on it's way. 👍😀

[@neiltate6309]

The driver is out of uniform. Not wearing a blue tie.

[@driver667]

🤣🤣 Might be forgiven on such a hot day 🤔👍😀

[@uriituw]

“…drivers seat…”

[@djock01]

So the driver sits on the left with the right all blocked off. What’s in that section? Is it part of the guards van on the return trip?

[@driver667]

@@djock01 that's correct. The rest is the guard van. 👍😀

[@user-iu8st8te3o]

Was this you driving that old thing Col? You clever chap you! 😊

[@driver667]

No, not this one. I was standing behind the camera holding it. 👍😀

[@robertalkemade5569]

It seems a bit quick. I remember a more sedate speed

[@driver667]

This one was express through a lot of the stations but still runs at the speed they ran. 👍😀

[@robertalkemade5569]

@@driver667 At over 80 I find everything seems to run faster-its probably me.

[@driver667]

😀😀👍

[@vlinenclasstrains]

There's me at Brighton Beach Station 😁13:54

[@STYtrainspotter2007]

Good meet you again Charlie 👍

[@driver667]

It certainly was you 😀😀👍

[@paulcoffey359]

Smoking on the train!

[@peterbumper2769]

that is a rough ride

[@driver667]

It looks rougher than it was. They ride pretty good, even over track that has mud holes 🤣🤣👍😀

[@johnsergei]

OH, that sounds delicious. I can walk down the isle of V/Lo like a normal person. I used to be proud that I was faster than even V/Line staff on loco trains, no matter how the driver cornered. I wouldn't bump or fall on anybody, I expected a rough ride. In 1987, the Sydney Express jolted & I was thrown into the steel diaphragm connecting the cars. Yes, trains could give you a hiding & punish your lungs, but they were indeed fun.

[@johnlang4198]

Would've been sweltering in there on Sunday.

[@driver667]

It certainly was warm but the wooden body does help stay some what coolish. 👍😀

[@AWAradiola]

does the tire have a flatspot?

[@driver667]

@@AWAradiola it did. Certainly noticeable. 👍😀

[@chuckmaurice3646]

667 is that you in this Video? What do you think Putty Cat?

[@driver667]

I was behind the camera in this video. This particular train was retired before I qualified as a driver. It is great to experience it. A slice of history as it was. 👍😀🐈🐈

[@Shinraaaaa]

This view for steam please!

[@geoffreymartin2764]

The driver had very limited vision to his right. I am a Sydney boy so I grew up with our horrible 'Red Rattlers'. 🏳‍🌈

[@driver667]

The Melbourne red rattlers are a bit of a favourite with people here 👍😀

[@johnsergei]

Though I'm from Melbourne, I'm very familiar with Sydney's so called Red Rattlers, the 1926 Standards (& similar cars built up till the end of the 50s). Didn't get there in time to see the Bradford Cars. Outside & especially inside, the Standards look a bit like an older version of Harris Trains, almost like a Tait, Harris hybrid, same with the drivers cab.