4 x Metropolitan-Vickers MV222 or 4 x AEI AEI149 series-wound DC traction motors per power car, each rated at 180 hp, semi automatic electro-pneumatic resistance control
Transmission
74:17 Gear ratio. Helical gears. Wheel diameter 36 inch (914mm)
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 suburban network.
In their later years, they, alongside the Standard and Tulloch trains, were nicknamed "Red Rattlers", the expression coming from Melbourne in reference to the wooden Tait trains.[1][2]
Following the delivery of the Tulloch double deck trailers from 1964, these replaced the original trailers in the Sputnik sets. Originally, only the sputnik power cars were going to haul the double deck carriages due to having more tractive power. But the older motor cars proved to also be capable.
The displaced trailer carriages had their power door equipment disconnected, were fitted with manually operated door equipment and pooled with the Standard and Tulloch stock. These were renumbered upwards by 50, e.g. T4701 became T4751.[4][5][3]
After having originally being targeted S1-S9, The Sputnik sets were retargeted as W1-W9 when the double deck suburban cars that fell under the former designation were introduced in 1972.[6]
Sputnik Motor car C3736 before its destruction
Originally painted Tuscan red, from 1973 they were repainted in the Public Transport Commission blue and white livery before the livery was replaced with Indian red in 1976. The interiors were originally painted brown and cream with the later repaints being in two-tone green.[3]
In the early 1990s, two sets were repainted in special liveries. These were W1 (C3705, T4816, T4807, C3707, C3740, T4812, T4830, and C3710) in a "Sesqui Train" livery, and W2 (C3725, T4810, T4828, C3719, C3714, T4825, T4820, and C3701) in a livery dubed "Zoo Train Mk2" as a promotion of Taronga Zoo.[6]
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trailer cars remained in service until the end of single deck operation in January 1992.[4] The last power cars were withdrawn in November 1993 and large portion of carriages were scrapped across the network alongside the Standard and Tulloch cars that had been retired the year before.[3] Several have been preserved.[7]
Construction and Distinguishing Features
A Sputnik power car on set W7 (left) next to a Tulloch power car on set M1 at a depot (right)
The Sputnik cars were broadly similar to the Tulloch built carriages, built earlier in the 1950s, they differed in having twin motors on both bogies as opposed to two on the bogie below the pantograph like older power carriages. This meant they were electrically incompatible with the previously built suburban cars but were compatible with the interurban cars also built by comeng around the same period. Like previous built stock their tractive equipment was provided by Metropolitan-Vickers.
These cars were additionally fitted with power operated doors as well as being of spot welded construction rather then riveted like previously built suburban carriages and the crew compartment door set further back with a larger cab in the power cars.[6] They only received a sun shade over the driver's window.
Total
Type
Numbers
Notes
40
Motor cars
C3701–C3740
40
Trailer cars
T4701–T4740
Put into manual door single deck sets in 1964
To make up for the archaic air-conditioning at the time, a row of ventilators was placed on the roof. As the carriages had powered doors, vent slits were put into the doors to make up for the inability to be opened manually as well as extra ventilators on the roof next to the doors.
They operated as eight carriage sets and were targeted as S sets and were the first trains to have their target plates distinguish the type in contrast to the previously built sets of which the target plates correspond to the depot they were located to. With the S standing for "Safety Doors", gaining the nickname Sputniks after the Russian satellite that was launched at the same time as their entry into service.[4][5][3] While they were targeted differently, they were still kept at the same four depots as the other single deck suburban carriages.
Preservation
Over 11 carriages remain with some having converted into housing and similar structures. Other cars are stored at Chullora and others are privately owned.[8] Only three remain for heritage all of which are in the care of Historic Electric Traction, who have made efforts to restore heritage set W3 to the mainline for charter train services. This set comprises Sputnik Power cars C3708 and C3702 as well as Tulloch double deck trailers T4801 and T4814. This set has yet to take any heritage tours.[9]
Built as T4740, Planned as new trailer for set F1[12]
Privately owned cars
On 8 May 2019, C3704 (Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car) was removed from the Australian Technology Park and relocated to Taree to a private buyer.[13] It was previously owned by 3801 Limited (now East Coast Heritage Rail) and was used as a site office.[13]
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