Electrical equipment was supplied by Commonwealth Engineering, to designs by Hitachi of Japan, leading to their official name today, although no Hitachi-supplied components were used in their construction.

Early M and D carriages were provided with nose doors beside the driver's cab, allowing passengers to move between coupled units on a train.

Consequently, in 1973, the only daytime route indication was the destination rolls at each end of trains, and staff were expected to memorise the relevant rosters.

[5] Additionally, subject to special instructions regarding the locking of all doors, Hitachi trains were permitted to stable at outstations "for a few months" prior to that time.

Hitachi trains originally had an unpainted, silver stainless steel livery, with carriage numbers applied to the sides.

[8] Beginning in 1992, the Hitachi fleet received internal, external, and cab upgrades, at the PTC's Ballarat North and Bendigo Workshops.

[9] The refurbishment of over half of the Hitachi M cars also included improved air-flow in the driver's cab and double-thickness windscreens, with aluminium replacing the original rubber surrounds.

Starting in late 2007, Hitachi sets were further modified to meet union requirements for driver's cab air conditioning, along with a refurbished interior.

[10] In 2008, the remaining seven 6-car trains were again modified, and a more powerful driver's air-conditioning system replaced the small vents on the roof.

[12] A majority of the sets were withdrawn between 2002 and 2005, and were either scrapped, sold to private buyers across Australia, stored, or acquired by railway museums and preservation groups.

[16] In April 2007, an additional three 3-car Hitachi trains were bought back from Australian businessman John Horne to provide spare parts for the fleet.

[17] In September 2008, Transport Safety Victoria withdrew the remaining trains from service due to concerns over corrosion around the doors and floor.

During the event, Public Transport Victoria confirmed that Hitachi trains would no longer be used in revenue service in Melbourne.