Melbourne's train network is still run by a vintage computer system that was rolled out in 1982, two years before Apple released its first Mac.

The system, called Metrol, has been the technological nerve centre for Melbourne's rail network for more than three decades, running custom-made software that is badly outmoded. A series of delays have set back the planned replacement of the train control centre by more than two decades.

The 1982 computers that run Melbourne's trains. Credit:Penny Stephens

From opposition, Terry Mulder called Metrol ''a sad Labor tale of delay and rapidly mounting bills'', but as Minister for Public Transport he has overseen an additional blowout in its completion date of almost two years.

But Metrol's time is almost up. Public Transport Victoria plans to pull its plug by the end of this year.