New South Wales U set

Last updated

U set
NSW U set (CF 5003) at the Junee Roundhouse Museum.jpg
Preserved driving car CF 5003 at
Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum
Interior of (5003) U set motor car at the Junee Roundhouse Museum.jpg
Interior
In service15 September 1958 – 1 November 1996
Manufacturer Commonwealth Engineering
Built at Granville
Constructed1957–1960
Entered serviceSeptember 1958 – March 1960
Number built
  • 40 motor cars
  • 20 trailer cars
  • 20 non-smoking trailer cars
Number in service0
Number preserved12 motor cars, 18 trailer cars (as at 2018)
Formation4 car sets
Fleet numbers
  • CF 5001-40
  • TF 6001-20
  • ETB 6021-40
Operator(s)
Depot(s) Flemington Maintenance Depot
Line(s) served
Specifications
Car length20.57 m (67 ft 5+7⁄8 in)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8+1⁄8 in)
Height3,920 mm (12 ft 10+3⁄8 in)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight49  long tons  8 cwt (110,700 lb or 50.2 t)
Traction system4 Metropolitan-Vickers MV222 series-wound DC traction motors per motor coach, each rated at 180 hp, semi-automatic electro-pneumatic resistance control.
Transmission74:17 Gear ratio. Helical gears. Wheel diameter 36 inch (914mm)
Power supply 120vDC
Electric system(s) 1,500 V DC catenary
Current collector(s) Single-pan diamond pantograph
Braking system(s) Westinghouse Brake & Signal Co electro-pneumatic and automatic air brakes, brake blocks active on all wheels
Coupling system automatic coupling
Multiple working MU capable in various formations
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The U sets were a type of electric multiple unit operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between September 1958 and November 1996. They were nicknamed U-boats.

Contents

Development

The New South Wales Government Railways began planning the electrification of the Main Western line over the Blue Mountains from 1949, and with that plan in full swing by the early 1950s, called tenders for 80 cars (40 motor, 20 trailer and 20 first with buffet trailer), with the contract was awarded to Commonwealth Engineering, Granville in 1954. Electric traction equipment was supplied by the Metropolitan-Vickers, Manchester. However, before construction began the order was amended with the 20 planned first with buffet cars built as full first class seating cars, after a review of the New South Wales Government Railways conducted by American firm Ebasco Services Incorporated in the mid-1950s recommended the change. [1]

The U sets were a bit different compared to the suburban single decked trains that were delivered at the same time. They were the first EMUs in NSW to feature stainless-steel construction using technology from the Budd Company, improving train acceleration and giving the trains lower maintenance costs and a longer usable life.

Delivery

The U Sets started to be delivered from June 1957, and the first sets made their first public appearances that same year. The first appearance took place on 22 June 1957 when they were hauled by electric locomotive 4625 as part of the first official electric train to travel on the newly electrified Blue Mountains line. Normal services began on 15 September 1958, and all were in service by March 1960. [1]

The cars were numbered as:

First class travel was abolished on 1 September 1974. This saw the removal of the word "Second" on all carriages and also allowed non-first class passengers to enjoy the benefits of non-smoking carriages for the first time.

In service

The U sets initially entered revenue service on 15 September 1958 this being a Sydney Terminal to Mount Victoria service which was then known as "The Fish". The U sets initially operated on the Main Western line as far as Bowenfels which was the limit of the electrified system at the time. This was cut back to Lithgow in 1974. As the electrified network expanded they began to operate to Gosford (23 January 1960), Wyong (April 1982), Newcastle (June 1984), Port Kembla (February 1986) and Dapto (January 1993). The U sets were supplemented by V set double deck sets from 1970.

From the mid-1970s many had their original lift-up windows replaced by Beclawat sliding windows.

Withdrawal and preservation

Withdrawal of the sets began in 1994 as new Tangara G sets began replacing them. The first Tangara G sets entered service in June 1994 and as they were progressively put into service through to late 1995 the U sets were progressively withdrawn. The final run of the U sets on the Main Western Line for Blue Mountains services was in late February 1996 after which they only performed revenue services on the Northern Line between Sydney and Newcastle. The very last U Sets were withdrawn in early November 1996. [2] The final revenue service performed by a U set was on Friday afternoon 1 November 1996 – a four car set operating a Newcastle to Sydney service. The cars on the final passenger service were CF5008 TF6004 TF6020 CF5008.

The final U set to run under its own power was a Sydney Electric Train Society Farewell tour two days later on the Sunday 3 November 1996 performed by an eight car set.

A number of U Set carriages have been preserved.:. [3] Most of the cars allocated to the Hunter Valley Railway Trust were scrapped in 2013, excepting CF 5001. Richmond Vale Railway lost cars TF 6001/02 and ETB 6026 in a bushfire in 2017.

A preserved U set appeared in Guy Sebastian's "Standing with you" in 2020.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Trains M set</span> Class of electric train operating in Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Trains M sets, also referred to as the Millennium trains, are a class of electric multiple units that operate on the Sydney Trains network. Built by EDi Rail between 2002 and 2005, the first sets initially entered service under the CityRail brand on 1 July 2002 after short delays due to electrical defects. The M sets were built as "fourth generation" trains for Sydney's suburban rail fleet, replacing the 1960s Tulloch carriages and providing extra capacity on the suburban rail network. The sets currently operate on the T2 Inner West & Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T5 Cumberland, T7 Olympic Park and T8 Airport & South lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Trains T set</span> Class of electric train operating in Sydney, Australia

The T sets, also referred to as the Tangara trains, are a class of electric multiple units that currently operate on the Sydney Trains network. Built by A Goninan & Co, the sets entered service between 1988 and 1995, initially under the State Rail Authority and later CityRail. The T sets were built as "third-generation" trains for Sydney's rail fleet, coinciding with the final withdrawals of the "Red Rattler" sets from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Tangaras were initially built as two classes; the long-distance G sets and the suburban T sets, before being merged after successive refurbishments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4D (train)</span> Melbourne prototype double deck electric multiple unit

The 4D was a prototype double deck electric multiple unit built for the Public Transport Corporation in Victoria, Australia, for operation on the Melbourne railway system. It remains the only double deck train to have ever operated in Melbourne. The train's name stood for "Double Deck Development and Demonstration."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Coast & Newcastle Line</span> Australian railway line

The Central Coast & Newcastle Line (CCN) is a NSW TrainLink passenger train service that runs along the Main North railway line in New South Wales, connecting the state's two largest cities, Sydney and Newcastle. The service runs from Central through to Broadmeadow on the Main North railway line to Newcastle Interchange on the Newcastle railway line, and services the Hawkesbury River region, the Central Coast and the city of Newcastle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Coast Line</span> Rail service in New South Wales, Australia

The South Coast Line (SCO) is an intercity rail service operated by NSW TrainLink that services the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The service runs from Central, and runs the entire length of the eponymous South Coast railway line to Bomaderry. The service also runs along the Eastern Suburbs railway line at peak hours and the Port Kembla railway line to Port Kembla. It is operated with NSW TrainLink H sets and Sydney Trains T sets, with Endeavour railcars operating the service on the non-electrified line between Kiama and Bomaderry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales C set</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Trains K set</span> Class of electric train operating in Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Trains K sets are a class of electric multiple units that currently operate on the Sydney Trains network. Built by A Goninan & Co, the K sets first entered service in 1981 operating under the State Rail Authority, and later CityRail. The carriages are of stainless steel, double deck construction and share much of their design with the older S sets. All of the 40 K sets originally built remain in service and are currently the oldest in the Sydney Trains fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales S set</span> Class of electric multiple unit operating in New South Wales, Australia

The S sets were a class of electric multiple units that operated on Sydney's suburban rail network from 1972 up until 2019. Originally entering service under the Public Transport Commission, the sets also operated under the State Rail Authority, CityRail and Sydney Trains. Prior to their retirement, the S sets were the last class in the Sydney Trains fleet to not be air-conditioned, earning them the nicknames "Tin cans" and "Sweat Sets". They were also nicknamed "Ridgys" because of their fluted ("ridged") stainless steel panelling; they shared this nickname with similar looking K sets and C sets. The final sets were withdrawn from service in June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSW TrainLink V set</span> Class of electric multiple unit operating in New South Wales, Australia

The V sets are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink. Built by Comeng between 1970 and 1989, the sets are of stainless steel construction, and are currently the oldest in the NSW TrainLink fleet. Initially introduced under the Public Transport Commission, only sets from 1977 and onwards remain in service, now operating on Interurban services throughout New South Wales on the Main Western line to Lithgow and Main Northern line to the Central Coast and Newcastle.

The Sydney Trains fleet serves the metropolitan lines within Sydney, Australia. All of the rolling stock are double-deck electric multiple units and operate mainly as eight carriage sets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSW TrainLink H set</span> Class of electric multiple unit operating in New South Wales, Australia

The NSW TrainLink H sets, also referred to as the OSCAR trains, are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink. Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow, the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006, with the last in December 2012. Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some V set carriages. As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous G sets. Currently operating as 55 four-carriage sets, the H sets now operate between Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast.

The Punchbowl Maintenance Depot was a train storage and maintenance depot in the south-western Sydney suburb of Punchbowl.

The railways of New South Wales, Australia, use a large variety of passenger and freight rolling stock. The first railway in Sydney was opened in 1855 between Sydney and Granville, now a suburb of Sydney but then a major agricultural centre. The railway formed the basis of the New South Wales Government Railways. Passenger and freight services were operated from the beginning. By 1880, there was a half hourly service to Homebush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales XPT</span> Express passenger train in New South Wales, Australia

The New South Wales XPT is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB Transportation. Based on the British Rail designed InterCity 125, each XPT set is made up of two XP Power Cars in a push-pull formation coupled to between four and seven carriages. The first sets entered service under the State Rail Authority in 1982 and now operate under NSW TrainLink, running on long-distance regional and interstate North Coast, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales and interstate into Victoria and Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterCity Express (Queensland Rail)</span>

The InterCity Express was a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers, Maryborough for Queensland Rail in 1988/89. They were built to operate the Spirit of Capricorn service on the North Coast line service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. Since being superseded on this service, they were used on Sunshine Coast line services from Brisbane to Gympie North until mid-2021. As of November 2021, all units have been retired from service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Standard suburban carriage stock</span>

The New South Wales Standard suburban carriage stock are a class of electric multiple units that were operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between 1926 and 1992. They served on the Sydney suburban network. In the years before their withdrawal, they were nicknamed Red Rattlers. This term was imported from Victoria and was never a contemporaneous colloquialism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Tulloch suburban carriage stock</span>

The New South Wales Tulloch suburban carriage stock were a type of electric multiple unit operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between 1940 and 1992. In their later years, they were nicknamed Red Rattlers.

New South Wales <i>Sputnik</i> 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Bradfield suburban carriage stock</span>

The New South Wales Bradfield suburban carriage stock were a type of electric multiple unit operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between 1921 and 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Electric Train Society</span>

The Sydney Electric Train Society is a railway preservation society in Sydney, Australia. It specialises in NSW electric traction and particularly NSW electric locomotives.

References

  1. 1 2 "U-Boats...A Tribute" Railway Digest November 1996 page 43
  2. ↑ "The Demise of the U Sets" Railway Digest March 1997 page 38
  3. ↑ "Eligible Preservation Groups Car Allocations" Railway Digest December 1998 page 39
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.