ALX / MLX Automobile transport
A total of 58 ALXs were built at Newport, numbered 1 - 58, through the years 1962 - 1970. 20 ALXs started life as MLXs and were converted into ALXs 23 - 42 in 1967. The ALX's saw almost exclusive use on interstate freights carrying finished cars from Melbourne to Sydney and Adelaide. Early wagons were built with fully enclosed sides, later wagons were open sided. In the 1979 recode they became VMBX.
The main variations are shown:
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#group
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Built
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Notes
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| 1 - 8 | 1962 - 1963 | fully enclosed sides (built as ALF) |
| 9 - 22 | 1963 | fully enclosed sides |
| 23 - 42 | 1967 - | ex MLX, two parallel side strips, most rebuilt to fully enclosed sides |
| 43 - 58 | 1969 - 1970 | completely open sides |
ABOVE: ALX 1 showing the fully enclosed sides of the first group built, Woodend 1978
ABOVE: ALF 1 as built, 1962 (official VR photo)
ABOVE: VMBX 1 circa 1979, photo courtesy Rob O'Regan
ABOVE: ALF 2 as built circa 1963 (official VR photo) BELOW: ALX 2 at Nth Geelong yard, Sept. 20 1978 (photo courtesy Geoff Winkler)
ABOVE: ALX 18 at Upfield loaded with XD Falcons, May 19 1981, photo courtesy Rob O'Regan
The group 23 - 42 were converted from MLXs, most of this group were later eqipped with enclosed sides which differed from the earlier sides by having horizontal pressings. ABOVE: ALX 25 at Sth Dynon, 1978. BELOW: VMBX 25 at Albury, Aug 1983.
ABOVE: MLX 1 as built 1964. In 1967 the 20 MLXs were modified to allow finished cars to be carried on the top deck, they were recoded to ALX numbered 23 - 42. official VR photo.
ABOVE: MLX 10 as built 1964, they were designed to handle motor car bodies on the top deck which were loaded and unloaded by crane. The bottom deck was designed for complete cars which were driven on and off via ramps, this wagon was reclassed and renumbered to ALX 32 in 1967 at which time the upper deck was made solid so complete cars could be carried, see BELOW. official VR photo.
ABOVE: ALX 37 is an ex MLX, this group had different sides until converted to fully covered. photo courtesy Peter J. Vincent.
ABOVE: VMBX 31 at North Dynon, Feb 1979. I didn't normally photograpgh wagons obscured by poles but this was one of the first 4 digit recodes I saw as it was just out of the workshop after a repaint.
ABOVE: ALX 44 shows the completely open design of the last group built. At Nth Geelong yard Aug. 10 1978, photo courtesy Geoff Winkler
ABOVE: When a motorail service was provided for "The Overland" an ALX was fitted with aligned bogies and tested, in service the code was ALP. The vehicle only ran with this code for approx 2 weeks. Sep 1978.
ABOVE: End view of ALX 36, note the dual (bifuricated) brake pipes, this was common on long vehicles to avoid the brake pipe hoses pulling apart on curves.
