New South Wales Sputnik suburban carriage stock

The New South Wales Sputnik suburban carriage stock is a type of electric multiple unit that was operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between 1957 and 1993 and served on the Sydney rail network.

New South Wales Sputnik suburban carriage stock
Preserved C3704 outside Eveleigh Railway Workshops in October 2006
In service1957-1993
ManufacturerCommonwealth Engineering
Built atGranville
Constructed1956-1960
Number built
  • 40 motor cars
  • 40 trailer cars
Formation8 carriages
Fleet numbers
  • C3701-3740
  • T4701-T4740
Operator(s)
Depot(s)
Line(s) servedAll Sydney suburban except Eastern Suburbs
Specifications
Doors8
Traction system4 x Metropolitan-Vickers 222s per carriage (?)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC catenary
Current collection methodSingle-pan diamond pantograph
Braking system(s)Westinghouse, air
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

These trains, as well as other types of single-deck suburban electrics that were first manufactured in the 1920s, are known by Sydneysiders as "Red Rattlers".[1][2]

History

Between 1956 and 1960, 40 power cars and 40 trailer cars were built by Commonwealth Engineering for the New South Wales Government Railways. Broadly similar to the Tulloch built carriages, built earlier in the 1950s, they differed in having motors on all four (as opposed to two) bogies and power operated doors. They operated as eight carriage sets and were targeted as S sets, gaining the nickname Sputniks after the Russian satellite that was launched at the same time as their entry into service.[3][4][5]

Ostensibly built to provide rolling stock for the newly electrified Parramatta to Penrith section of the Main Western line, they operated across the Sydney suburban network.[5]

Following the delivery of the Tulloch double deck trailers from 1964, these replaced the original trailers in the S sets. The displaced carriages had their power door equipment disconnected, were fitted with manually operated door equipment and pooled with the Suburban and Tulloch stock. These were renumbered upwards by 50, e.g. T4701 became T4751.[3][4][5]

Originally painted indian red, from 1973 they were repainted in the Public Transport Commission blue and white livery before the livery reverted to indian red in 1976. The interiors were painted in two-tone green.[5]

Overhauls of the stock continued up until 1988, with some receiving sliding aluminium Beclawat windows to alleviate rust problems. Most of the trailer cars remained in service until the end of single deck operation in January 1992.[3] The last power cars were withdrawn in November 1993.[5] Several have been preserved.[6]

Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains has three Commonwealth Engineering Sputnik cars in the care of Historic Electric Traction.

  • C3702 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car - Under Restoration at Redfern Carriageworks
  • C3708 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car - Under Restoration at Redfern Carriageworks
  • T4790 - Commonwealth Engineering Trailer Car (ex T4740) - Stored at Redfern Carriageworks

The Sydney Electric Train Society has four Commonwealth Engineering Sputnik cars.

  • C3714 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car (ex CityRail Zoo Train II) - Stored at Chullora
  • C3725 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car (ex CityRail Zoo Train II) - Stored at Chullora
  • T4768 - Commonwealth Engineering Trailer Car (ex T4718) - Stored at Molong
  • T4771 - Commonwealth Engineering Trailer Car (ex T4721) - Stored at Molong

References
  1. SCANLON, MIKE (12 September 2014). "HISTORY: The old 'Red Rattlers' live on". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. "Generations of electric rolling stock - Sydney Trains". Sydney Trains. Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  3. "Rolling Stock" Railway Digest October 1991 page 374
  4. "Sydney's Electric Trains from 1926 to 1960" ARHS Bulletin issue 761 March 2001 pages 90-93
  5. The Sputnik Cars Sydney Electric Traction Society
  6. C3708 - Comeng 1955 Suburban Motor Car NSW Environment & Heritage
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