Victorian Railways "BE" Type CarriagesComrails Logo

Victorian Railways "BE" Type Carriages

BE type - 1 to 61

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1 to 5 BE 6 to 10 BE 11 to 15 BE 16 to 20 BE
21 to 25 BE 26 to 30 BE 31 to 35 BE 36 to 40 BE
41 to 45 BE 46 to 50 BE 51 to 55 BE 56 to 60 BE
61 BE
4.10.1986 Steamrail interior BE

Originally the class consisted of 33 members, but this was later expanded due to conversion of AE to BE's and a further addition to the overland stock. Dimensionally they identical to the AE stock except that they held 72 passengers in nine compartments each 6 inch ¾ inch long. The extra compartment begin located in the non-smoking portion of each carriage.

31 cars were built Newport between 1906 and 1910 for Victorian Railways service, 6 V&SAR Joint Stock at Islington in 1906-1907 and an additional 4 V&SAR Joint Stock in 1922-23. The numbering of the cars was as follows 1-4 VR, 5-10 V&SAR JS, 11-39 VR, 40-43 V&SAR JS and 44-48 VR (converted BDSE cars). Making a total of 48 cars. Four air conditioned AE cars were renumbered 49 BE thru 52 BE.

Five of the original BDSE (Travelling Post Office Cars - TPO) were converted to BE configuration during 1922-23.

Original weight 34 tons 11 cwt, after strengthened underframes and anti-telescoping members weight 36 tons 3 cwt. After air conditioning, 4 BE, 31 BE, 4 BE and 19 BE weight 44 tons 10 cwt.

In 1982 the ABE class cars which had been altered to 53 BE thru 61 BE were recoded BES as they had one less compartment than a standard BE. Former ESBV class bulk mail vans which had been converted to BE class about 1929 were also recode as BEL. This was to conform with a new computerised booking system.

Statistics

Length73 feet 8 inch
Bogie Centres53 feet 10 inch
Overall height13 feet 8¼ inch
Overall width9 feet 6 inch
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BE 1

28.08.1906Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
14.4.1984Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of The Seymour Loco Group.
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12.6.1986 Steamrail Newport 2BE 15<sup>th</sup> May 1987,Steamrail Newport sitting car 2BE

BE 2

28.08.1906Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
13.5.1985Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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BE 3

30.10.1906Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Herbert and party".
30.10.1906Entered service.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
22.8.1984Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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31.3.1986 4BE spencer street Geelong train

BE 4

30.10.1906Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
28.1.1938Fitted with stones electro-mechanical air conditioning and automatic couplers.
8.1961Fitted with Spirit of Progress bogies.
27.6.1983Oushopped with upgraded interior.
1986Refurbished with new cloth upholstery, new carpet and painted in blue and gold.
24.12.1991Withdrawn.
7.1.1992Allocated to SteamRail.
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BE 5

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

22.10.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
6.7.1967Condemned.
-Scrapped at Islington.
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BE 6

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

22.10.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
18.6.1974Withdrawn.
16.10.1974Condemned.
3.4.1976Scrapped by V/LINE at Newport Workshops.
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BE 7

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

22.10.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
18.6.1974Withdrawn.
16.10.1974Condemned.
5.4.1976Scrapped by V/LINE at Newport Workshops.
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BE 8

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
26.5.1959Damaged beyond repair in wreck and scrapped in South Australia.
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BE 9

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
27.12.1929Destroyed at Callington in collision.
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BE 10

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

1.11.1907Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
18.6.1974Withdrawn.
16.10.1974Condemned.
26.3.1976Scrapped by V/LINE at Newport Workshops.
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BE 11

3.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Herbert and party".
28.8.1970Withdrawn.
26.10.1970Scrapped at Newport Workshops.
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BE 12

3.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Herbert and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
18.6.1984Withdrawn.
6.6.1984Sold to a buyer from Bayswater.
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BE 13

15.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
5.11.1976Scrapped.
3.5.1976Extensively damaged by fire at Ballarat.
25.6.1976Withdrawn.
5.11.1976Scrapped at Ballarat North Workshops.
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BE 14

28.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
24.9.1985Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of the Seymour Loco Group.
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13.6.1986 Castlemaine 15BE

BE 15

26.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
8.1984Withdrawn.
4.7.1984To Castlemaine and Maldon Railway.
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19.7.1986 Dry creek 16BE 7<sup>th</sup> September 1985,Dry creek 16BE

BE 16

26.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
6.2.1985Off Register.
19.1.1985Sold to SteamRanger.
11.1985Obtained by SteamRanger South Australian.
1993Sold to Kadina to Wallaroo Tourist Railway.
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BE 17

15.8.1908Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Scott and party".
10.4.1935Fitted with automatic couplers.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
22.8.1984Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria and in use.
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BE 18

30.6.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
13.12.1952Damaged in the Dudley St car sidings fire. Repaired and returned to service.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
6.2.1985Off Register.
19.1.1985Sold to SteamRanger.
11.1985Obtained by SteamRanger South Australian.
1.1989Roof canvas replaced with Fibreglass.
1993Sold to Kadina to Wallaroo Tourist Railway.
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25<sup>th</sup> April 1989,Seymour sitting car 19BE

BE 19 -- Jeetho

5.10.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
13.5.1938Fitted with stones electro-mechanical air conditioning.
11.1986Repainted/Overhauled at Bendigo North Workshops.
24.12.1991Withdrawn and allocated to Great Southern Railway.
-Named "Jeetho".
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13.6.1986 Castlemaine 20BE

BE 20

5.10.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
10.4.1935Fitted with automatic cpuplers.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
6.4.1984Off Register.
11.1986In posession of Castlemaine and Maldon Railway.
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BE 21

30.6.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
18.2.1982Withdrawn.
20.4.1982Broken up.
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BE 22

1.11.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
23.8.1983Withdrawn.
23.8.1983Off Register.
24.1.1984Sold "Abbotsford".
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BE 23

5.10.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
14.8.1984Withdrawn.
-Sold to a buyer from Maffra.
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19.7.1986 Dry creek 24BE 24BE at Wallaroo 24BE at Wallaroo 31<sup>st</sup> August 1991,Dry Creek sitting car 24BE

BE 24

16.7.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Cheyne and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
6.2.1985Off Register.
19.1.1985Sold to SteamRanger.
11.1985Obtained by SteamRanger South Australian.
1993Sold to Kadina to Wallaroo Tourist Railway.
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BE 25

16.7.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Cheyne and party".
6.4.1984Off Register.
1.5.1984Allocated to Steamrail.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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BE 26

1.11.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
8.1984Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of The Seymour Loco Group.
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BE 27

5.10.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
18.8.1981Withdrawn from service and stored at Newport.
29.1.1982Scrapped at Newport Workshops.
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BE 28

2.9.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
29.3.1972Withdrawn.
19.5.1972Scrapped at Newport Workshops.
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BE 29

12.11.1909Issued to service after being built by the Victorian Railways Newport workshop.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
13.5.1985Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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BE 30

2.9.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Herbert and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
13.5.1985Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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BE 31

12.11.1909Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Herbert and party".
27.3.1937Fitted with stones electro-mechanical air conditioning .
10.1960Fitted with Spirit of Progress bogies.
16.10.1982Outshopped fitted with upgraded interior.
4.9.1986Observed with new cloth upholstery, new carpet, and painted in the classic blue and gold.
24.12.1991Withdrawn and stripped of airconditioning, electrical equipment and bogies.
-Allocated to Steamrail.
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BE 32

14.10.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
13.12.1952Damaged in the Dudley St car sidings fire.
16.1.1953Withdrawn.
25.9.1953Scrapped.
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15<sup>th</sup> May 1987,Steamrail Newport sitting car 33BE

BE 33

15.9.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Robertson and party".
-34 AE and 33 BE were burnt to the frame in the crash at Lindenow. New bodies were built over the following 2 years, but by that stage the Victorian Railways wasn't building E cars. They were rebuilt with W car parts, and this is still quite obvious on 33 BE today.
1933Reentered service after rebuild.
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
24.9.1985Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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31.3.1986 34BE spencer street Geelong train

BE 34 -- Kardella

7.10.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
22.6.1938Fitted with stones electro-mechanical air conditioning.
1.1953Fitted with automatic couplers.
11.1960Fitted with Spirit of Progress bogies.
7.10.1983Fitted with an upgraded interior.
1986Refurbished with new cloth upholstery, new carpet and painted in blue and gold.
24.12.1991Withdrawn and allocated to Great Southern Railway.
-Named "Kardella".
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BE 35

9.10.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Cheyne and party".
12.6.1975Withdrawn.
20.5.1978Scrapped at Newport Workshops.
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31.3.1986 36BE Spotswood

BE 36

7.10.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Cheyne and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
3.12.1984Withdrawn.
-Allocated to Plan R.
9.1.1987Re-allocated to the Seymour Loco Group.
15.6.1988At Shepparton, interior stripped, windows missing.
by 1989Stored at Bendigo for the Bendigo Historical Steam Train Association.
12.1992Transferred to Seymour via Echuca.
2.7.1993Delivered to Nyora and the Great Southern Railway.
2.7.1993BE 36 was dragged under the Korumburra Freight Gate about 12 years ago but was recently put back on the rails for restoration. [ph]

BE 37

28.10.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Cheyne and party".
28.8.1970Withdrawn.
26.10.1970Scrapped at newport Workshops.
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15<sup>th</sup> May 1987,Steamrail Newport sitting car 38BE

BE 38

3.12.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
6.4.1984Off Register.
8.1988In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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BE 39

19.12.1910Issued to service after being built at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop by contractor "Mitchell and party".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
15.12.1983Off Register.
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BE 40

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1923Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
6.7.1967Condemned.
-Scrapped at Islington Workshops.
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BE 41

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1923Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
19.10.1972Condemned.
11.4.1974Stored awaiting scrapping.
-Scrapped at Islington Workshops.
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6.4.1986 42BE interior Mile End museum

BE 42

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1923Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
-Steel protection panels affixed over the original Tongue and Groove timber exterior (Onkaparinga the only other).
16.10.1974Condemned.
16.4.1975Entered Mile End Rail Museum South Australia.
7.7.1988Moved to Port Dock Station Railway Museum.
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BE 43

Second class compartment seating car for use on The Overland.

29.10.1923Issued to service after being built at the South Australian Railways Islington workshop.
6.7.1967Condemned.
-Scrapped at Islington Workshops.
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ESBV/BDSE 8 -- BE/BEL 44

10.2.1910Issued to service as composite second class/mail sorting carriage. Its coding was either "8 ESBV" or "8 BDSE" (the uncertainty is due the recoding done to all E cars in 1910)
21.12.1922Rebuilt to "44 BE".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
29.3.1984Off Register.
25.5.1984Sold to a buyer from Yarragon.
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31.3.1986 45BEL Spotswood

ESBV/BDSE 9 -- BE/BEL 45

23.3.1910Issued to service as composite second class/mail sorting carriage. Its coding was either "9 ESBV" or "9 BDSE" (the uncertainty is due the recoding done to all E cars in 1910)
23.5.1923Rebuilt to "45 BE".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
14.5.1982Recoded 45 BEL.
10.12.1984Off Register.
5.1986In posession of Plan R Victoria.
-Transferred to Mornington Railway Preservation Society.
-Named "Hastings".
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ESBV/BDSE 10 -- BE/BEL 46

3.3.1910Issued to service as "composite second class/mail sorting carriage". Its coding was either "10 ESBV" or "10 BDSE" (the uncertainty is due the recoding done to all E cars in 1910)
11.12.1923Rebuilt to "46 BE".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
27.9.1984Withdrawn.
5.1986In posession of Steamrail Victoria.
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ESBV/BDSE 3 -- BE/BEL 47

19.4.1910Issued to service as "composite second class/mail sorting carriage". Its coding was either "3 ESBV" or "3 BDSE" (the uncertainty is due the recoding done to all E cars in 1910)
1.10.1929Rebuilt to "BE".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
24.9.1985Withdrawn.
-In possession of Seymour Loco group.
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Composite second class/mail sorting van 5 ESBV as built, circa 1909

ESBV/BDSE 5 -- BE/BEL 48

23.12.1909Entered service as bulk mail van coded "5 ESBV"
1910Reclass "5 BDSE".
26.9.1929Rebuilt to "48 BE".
4.10.1981Still in service V/LINE.
29.10.1982Removed from register.
19.11.1982Sold "Port Melbourne".
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BE 49

See 36 AE.

BE 50

See 1 AE.

BE 51

See 3 AE.

BE 52

See 12 AE.

BE/BES 53

See 1 ABE.

BE 54

See 4 ABE.

BE/BES 55

See 5 ABE.

BE 56

See 8 ABE.

BE/BES 57

See 10 ABE.

BE/BES 58

See 11 ABE.

BE/BES 59

See 15 ABE.

BE 60

See 16 ABE.

BE 61

See 2 ABE.