Comeng (train)

The Comeng ( KOM-enj) is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) operating on the suburban railway network of Melbourne. Built by their namesake Commonwealth Engineering (abbreviated as Comeng), the trains were introduced in 1981 as a replacement for the Tait and Harris trains. In total, 190 three-car trainsets were built, although 100 three-car sets remain in service and are expected to be retired by 2032. The fleet underwent two major refurbishments. The first, a mid-life refurbishment, was carried out from 2000 to 2003 by Alstom and EDi Rail. The second, named the Comeng Life Extension Project, completed between 2017 and 2021, aimed to extend the trains' lifespan to at the very least meet their successors entry to service High Capacity Metro Trains and the X'Trapolis 2.0 trains. Alongside these upgrades, a number of minor improvement programs were also conducted on the trains to further enhance their efficiency, safety, and reliability. With the withdrawal of the Hitachis in 2014, the Comengs are currently the oldest active in the Melbourne suburban fleet.