New South Wales C set

The C sets were a class of electric multiple units that operated on Sydney's suburban rail network from 1986 up until 2021. Built by A Goninan & Co between 1986 and 1987, they were introduced into service by the State Rail Authority, before later being operated under CityRail and Sydney Trains. A total of 56 carriages were built, with the last sets being withdrawn from service in February 2021, having been gradually replaced by A & B set trains.

C set
C3 at Campsie in September 2007
Upper deck after CityDecker refurbishment
In service1986–2021
ManufacturerA Goninan & Co
Built atBroadmeadow
Constructed1986–1987
Entered service1986–1987
Refurbishedlate 1990s
Scrapped2021–2022
Number built56 carriages (14 sets)
Number preserved6 carriages
Number scrapped50 carriages
SuccessorB sets
Formation4-car sets
Fleet numbersC3581–C3608, T4247–T4274
Capacity438 (104 in control motors, 115 in trailer cars)
Operator(s)
Depot(s)Flemington
Line(s) served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length81.54 m (267 ft 6+1⁄4 in)
Car length20,385 mm (66 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Width3,036 mm (9 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Height4,368 mm (14 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed115 km/h (71 mph)
Weight190 t (190 long tons; 210 short tons)
Traction systemMitsubishi GTO–4-quadrant chopper control
Traction motors8 × Mitsubishi MB-3303-B 170 kW (230 hp) 2-phase DC shunt-wound motor
Power output1.36 MW (1,820 hp)
Transmission4.94:1 (79:16) gear ratio
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Design and construction

The C sets were a follow-on from the K sets. They were built as an interim measure due to delays with the Tangara program. They were also used to train and familiarise staff with the new (at the time) chopper technology.[1] The C sets 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.[2] Following the successful implementation of chopper control, these features were 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).[2] 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 moulding 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:

QtyClassCar numbers
28Power carsC3581–C3608
28Trailer carsT4247–T4274

In service

The first set entered service in July 1986, operating out of Mortdale Maintenance Depot,[2] some were delivered to Hornsby Maintenance Depot, but by December 1988, all were operating out of Punchbowl Maintenance Depot as sets K40-K51.[3]

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.[4] In January 1991, these were reformed as 6-car sets numbered C1–C8.[4] By June 1991, all had been transferred to Hornsby Maintenance Depot.[5]

One carriage, C3596 of set C6, was painted in a livery having its fiber-glass front being painted in CityRail colours, with the L7 logo.

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.[6]

From November 2017 until they were retired from service, all C Sets operated out of Flemington Maintenance Depot.

Prior to their retirement, C sets operated on the following lines:

Retirement
C5 on its final farewell tour, Mount Victoria, March 2021

The C sets were gradually phased out from September 2020 to February 2021, being replaced by B sets.[1] The C sets ran their final revenue timetabled service on 26 February 2021 on the Airport & South Line.[1] A farewell to the C Sets tour by the Sydney Electric Train Society took place on 6 March 2021 visiting Mount Victoria and Hawkesbury River.[1][7][8][9]

Two C sets (C1 and C5) remained as standby sets for emergencies from their retirement until 30 April 2021.[1][10]

Two carriages, C3581 and T4272 were sent to Fire and Rescue NSW on 6 May 2021 for training purposes.[11]

On 12 July 2021, three of the four remaining C Sets were transferred from Flemington to Chullora for scrapping.

Preservation

In July 2021, the Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS) announced that they would be preserving four carriages for heritage.[10] These carriages were taken from sets C5 and C9. It is intended that they will be operational for tours operated by SETS, including the Great Northern Chopper Tour, which was initially scheduled for 28 August 2021, but was postponed due to COVID-19, with no new date announced since.[9]

Car Number Set Owner Build Date
C3584 C5 Sydney Electric Train Society 19 July 1986
T4266 C5 Sydney Electric Train Society 20 March 1987
T4274 C9 Sydney Electric Train Society 15 September 1987
C3608 C9 Sydney Electric Train Society 15 September 1987

Notes and references
    1. "Chopper To The Summit (Chopper Set Farewell) Tour Notes March 2021" (PDF). Sydney Electric Train Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
    2. "New Suburban Train" Railway Digest September 1986 Page 273
    3. "EMU Review" Railway Digest March 1989 page 87
    4. "The EMU Review" Railway Digest March 1991 Page 96
    5. "Electric Cars" Railway Digest September 1991 page 334
    6. Asbestos found in Sydney Trains Nova 96.9 7 July 2017
    7. "Chopper to the Summit Tour". 123 Tix. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
    8. A Sydney C-Set train farewells the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury River and Fairfield | 7NEWS, archived from the original on 22 March 2021, retrieved 6 March 2021
    9. "SETS Tours – The Great Northern Chopper Tour". sets.org.au. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
    10. "SETS Fleet". sets.org.au. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
    11. Sydney Trains Vlogs. "Sydney Trains Vlog 1840: Fire + Rescue Chopper C Set Road Transfer". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

    Further reading
    • Beckhaus, John; Halgren, Stephen (2007), Sydney's Electric Trains, Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division, ISBN 978-0-9757870-8-3
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