Sydney Trains C set
The C sets are a class of electric multiple unit train operated by Sydney Trains in New South Wales, Australia. The carriages are of stainless steel, double deck construction.
C Set | |
---|---|
![]() C Set at Campsie station | |
![]() Upper deck after Citydecker refurbishment | |
In service | 1986 - 2021 |
Manufacturer | A Goninan & Co |
Built at | Broadmeadow |
Constructed | 1986-1987 |
Refurbished | late 1990s |
Number built | 56 carriages |
Number in service | 40 carriages (10 sets) |
Number scrapped | 16 carriages (4 sets) |
Formation | 14 4-car sets |
Fleet numbers | C3581-C3608, T4247-T4274 |
Capacity | 104 in power cars, 115 in trailer cars |
Operator(s) | Sydney Trains |
Depot(s) | Flemington |
Line(s) served | T2 Inner West & Leppington Line T3 Bankstown Line T8 Airport & South Line |
Specifications | |
Car length | 20.39 m (66 ft 10 3⁄4 in) |
Width | 3,040 mm (9 ft 11 5⁄8 in) |
Height | 4,370 mm (14 ft 4 in) |
Maximum speed | 115 km/h (71 mph) |
Weight | 52 t (51 long tons; 57 short tons) |
Traction system | 4-quadrant GTO Chopper Control (Mitsubishi Electric) |
Power output | 4 x 170 kW (230 hp) |
Electric system(s) | 1500 V DC Catenary |
Current collection method | Pantograph |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Design & construction
![](../I/CityRailCSetInterior.jpg.webp)
The C sets were a follow-on from the K sets. They were built as an interim measure due to the lateness of the Tangara program. They were the first Sydney suburban trains to be fitted with chopper control, which gives the train smoother acceleration. Gate turn-off thyristors (GTO) were used to control power to the traction motors, hence allowing for smoother acceleration.[1] Following the success of the implementation of chopper control, these features were later installed on the Tangara and later V set carriages.
The C set carriages were also the first on the suburban network to feature fixed seating (originally covered with fabric, since replaced with vinyl).[1] This proved to be unpopular, but nevertheless, fixed seating was later used on the suburban Tangara cars. These cars also featured push-button doors requiring passengers to activate, to increase air-conditioning efficiency. These proved unpopular and the push-buttons on the doors were removed.
The C set was distinguished externally by a fibreglass molding mounted on the front of the power carriage. It was originally in the State Rail Authority white with orange and red candy livery stripes on the lower portion. C3596 was the only power car to have its Candy-liveried front repainted in CityRail blue and yellow prior to its Citydecker refurbishment in 1998. The chopper cars were amongst the heaviest in the suburban fleet, with the power cars weighing 52 tonnes.
- The order was for 56 cars:
Qty | Class | Car numbers |
---|---|---|
28 | Power cars | C3581-C3608 |
28 | Trailer cars | T4247-T4274 |
In service
The first set entered service in July 1986 operating out of Mortdale Maintenance Depot,[1] some were delivered to Hornsby Maintenance Depot, but by December 1988 all were operating out of Punchbowl Maintenance Depot as sets K40-K51.[2]
The chopper cars were originally targeted as K sets and for a while when they entered service, they ran together with the then-force ventilated K sets. This however caused problems in service as force-ventilated cars were fitted with camshaft control and led to jerking while accelerating. By December 1990 they had been retargeted as C42-C54.[3] In January 1991, these were reformed as 6-car sets numbered C1-C8.[3] By June 1991, all had been transferred to Hornsby Maintenance Depot.[4]
During the late 1990s, all were refurbished by A Goninan & Co as part of the CityDecker program. This saw the interiors refurbished with white walls and ceilings, grey floors and blue seats. Power cars received a destination indicator and had the yellow apron livery applied which includes a grey front with yellow over the bottom half.
In 2001, the C sets were once again reformed into seven 8-car sets. A 6-car C Set was re-formed in late 2006 due to car T4262 being seriously damaged by an arson attack at Villawood in October 2006, however the full 8-car set later went back in operation.
In July 2017, asbestos was found in the circuit breaker panels, which was inside the driver compartment of the C sets, with all withdrawn for inspection.[5]
Since November 2017, all C Sets operate out of Flemington Maintenance Depot.
C sets operate on the following lines:
- T2 Inner West and Leppington Line: Leppington or Parramatta to City Circle via Granville
- T3 Bankstown line: Liverpool or Lidcombe to City Circle via Bankstown
- T8 Airport and South Line: Macarthur To City Circle via Airport or Sydenham
Retirement
C sets are being phased out from 18 January 2021 onwards whilst the second batch of Series 2 Waratah B sets (and later, the converted OSCar H sets) come into service. The first set, C4, was retired in September 2020. One carriage of C10 suffered a slipped pinion and the motor-trailer pair was swapped with a pair from C4.
References
- "New Suburban Train" Railway Digest September 1986 Page 273
- "EMU Review" Railway Digest March 1989 page 87
- "The EMU Review" Railway Digest March 1991 Page 96
- "Electric Cars" Railway Digest September 1991 page 334
- Asbestos found in Sydney Trains Nova 96.9 7 July 2017
Further reading
- Beckhaus, John; Halgren, Stephen (2007), Sydney's Electric Trains, Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division, ISBN 978-0-9757870-8-3
External links
Media related to New South Wales C sets at Wikimedia Commons
- Technical diagrams and specifications Transport for NSW