The T sets, also referred to as the Tangara trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that 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 on CityRail. The T sets were built as "third-generation" trains for Sydney's rail fleet, coinciding with the final withdrawals of the "RedRattler" sets from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[7] The Tangaras were initially built as two classes; the long-distance intercity G sets and the suburban T sets, before being merged after successive refurbishments.[8]
The Tangara is a double-deck four-car set,[9] with the two outer cars being driving control trailers (carrying a D prefix) that are fitted with one pantograph each and the middle two cars being non-control motor cars (carrying an N prefix). All sets are equipped with Mitsubishi Electricchopper control.[citation needed]
Unlike most other Sydney Trains rolling stock, the seats on the suburban T sets are fixed, meaning that half the seats face backwards.[10] Former G sets, however, do have reversible seats.[citation needed]
History
Initial delivery
In July 1986, the Government of New South Wales awarded A Goninan & Co a contract for 450 carriages for $530 million.[5][11] In 1993, it was decided that the last 80 carriages of the order would be built to a modified design to operate peak-hour services to Wyong, Port Kembla and Dapto.[12] In 1996, five spare driving trailers were ordered.[13]
The Tangara name is from an Aboriginal language, meaning to go.[14]
Two subclasses of Tangara were built, the suburban sets targeted as T sets, and outer-suburban sets originally targeted as G sets. The T sets replaced the first generation of Sydney's electric rolling stock.[8]
T sets
G sets
Original liveries
The first train (set T20) was unveiled at Sydney Central in December 1987, heavily promoted as the "train of the 21st century",[15] operating a promotional service on 28 January 1988 targeted as TAN1, and entering regular service on 12 April 1988.[16] The final T set (set T59, formerly T92) was delivered in February 1994 and the final G set (set T100, formerly G32) in October 1995.[17]
The cars built were:
T set driving trailer cars: D6101-D6284 with additional spare cars D6285-D6289
T set non-driving motor cars: N5101-N5284 with additional spare car N5285
G set driving trailer cars: OD6801-OD6840 with additional spare car OD6841
G set non-driving motor cars: ON5801-ON5820
G set non-driving motor cars with toilet: ONL5851-ONL5870
Set G7 was fitted with an AC drive system for evaluation purposes with the existing DC stock and compatibility with signalling and communication systems on the network. G7 was scrapped in 2005 at Maintrain, Auburn after the Waterfall rail accident, as all four cars were beyond repair.
In 2010, a refresh of the Tangaras commenced with the interiors repainted, and new seat moquette and handrails fitted.[19][20] From 2011, all G sets were reclassified as T sets, and had their onboard toilets removed.[21]
In July 2013, Sydney Trains trialled rearranging the seating on the upper and lower decks of two carriages. There were 16 fewer seats per carriage; 3x2 seats were replaced by 2x2 seats in one carriage (N5134 on set T78) while in the other carriage (N5131 on set T77) there are double seats on one side and a bench style seating on the other. Both carriages were later returned to the normal 3x2 arrangement.[22]
In 2014, phase one of a technology upgrade program, aiming to improve reliability and upgrade ageing components, was underway.[23] A contract for phase two of the program, aiming to extend the life of these trains and bring technology into line with newer trains was awarded to UGL Limited in August 2015. This was expected to be completed by July 2018.[24][25] The expected completion date was revised to 2019,[26] but by February 2023 only 2 sets had entered service with the second phase upgrades.[citation needed]
The first phase of the program involved upgrading the passenger doors to cut down on vandalism, as the steel panels on the original doors were prone to being kicked out by vandals.[27] The door kicking incidents often led to unnecessary delays as the guard had to lock off the affected carriage. The new lightweight passenger doors have a similar design to the doors on the M sets. This phase of the project was completed at the end of July 2016. The first set to receive the new doors was T96, in October 2014.
The second phase of the program was initially set to include destination indicators and digital voice announcements, which were installed in T72 and T106, were not installed in other sets due to delays and issues with the DVA system. The upgrade still went ahead however, with vestibules given modifications including marked priority seating and Automatic Train Protection (ATP). The first sets with this revised phase 2 upgrade, T52 and T73, re-entered service on 12 November 2021. All sets have been given the phase 2 upgrade.[as of?][citation needed]
The program includes overhauling air conditioning units, static inverter upgrades, and modifications to the driver's desk/cab.[23]
Other anti-vandal improvements included the introduction of 'Mousetrap' sensors. Trialed in 2015, these sensors are able to detect vapors from strong permanent markers and spray paint; triggering an in-built camera feed which is relayed to Sydney Trains staff as well as the Police Transport Command. They were then installed in most converted G sets.[28]
On 5 June 2024, it was announced the Tangaras would be receiving a life extension to enable operation until at least 2036. The upgrades will see upgrades to the doors, train operating system, and improved disability access and passenger information systems.[29][30]
Tangara T19 with an anti-trainsurfing installation, July 2025
In June 2025, sets T19 and T35 entered service featuring the installation of an angled box on the front emergency doors to prevent train surfing, it will be installed on all sets in the future.[31]
In September 2025, Sets T76 and T128 received a new livery. The doors and cab fronts were repainted in a deeper orange in lieu of the previous yellow, to more closely match the modern Sydney Trains colour scheme.[32]
Driving trailer car D6127 and motor car N5127 were both involved in the Wentworthville train derailment on 27 December 1989, the first major accident involving the Tangara fleet. D6127 was written off, having collided with the platform. N5127 was sent to Dunheved on the Ropes Creek line for training fire fighters, along with S Set car C3866.[33]
Vineyard collision
On 10 February 1994, set T99 travelling from Richmond towards Blacktown collided with a van at the level crossing at Vineyard. The first 3 cars derailed in a zig-zag format, starting a nearby grassfire.[34]
Set G7 derailed on 31 January 2003 near Waterfall, killing seven people aboard including the train driver. The driver suffered a sudden heart attack and lost control of the train while the deadman's brake failed to activate as intended. Investigations found the train to be travelling in excess of 117km/h (73mph) as it approached the 60km/h (37mph) curve where the accident occurred.
Unanderra derailment
On 24 January 2009 at 2:35am, set G4 (now T104) was departing from Unanderra towards Wollongong and derailed due to the train passing a signal at danger, and the catch-points derailing the train to avoid a collision with a freight train. The first two cars and the front bogie of the third car derailed and stopped safely 50 metres from the signal. Subsequently because of this incident, G4 was the first G set to undergo conversion to suburban T set T104.[35]
Doonside derailment
On 15 June 1993, T91 derailed at Doonside due to a tyre from a garbage truck hitting a tree and bouncing into the rail corridor as T91 was approaching. The incident resulted in only minor damage.[citation needed]
Vineyard derailment
On 10 February 1994, T99 derailed at the level crossing near Vineyard station after colliding with a Toyota Tarago.[citation needed] The occupants of the car survived, but it is believed that the engine block got caught under the trailing bogie of driving trailer car D6274 causing the car to derail.[citation needed] D6274 suffered extensive damage, and was subsequently written off.[citation needed] D6274 has since been replaced by spare car D6286.[citation needed]
Concord derailment
In 1998, set T73 and T84 (D6114-N5114-N5113-D6113-D6174-N5174-N5173-D6173) derailed at Concord West, with the train coming off the tracks and rolling onto Queen Street, the closest street to the station area.[citation needed] The driver failed to slow down for a turnout, which caused the derailment. Driving trailer car D6114 was written off due to extensive damage, with spare driving trailer car D6287 subsequently replacing it, while the rest of the cars were repaired and rerturned to service, with T73 still retaining its target number, and T84 being eventually renumbered T53.[citation needed] Much like the example with N5159 (see below), motor car N5114 also had some of its side panels replaced.[citation needed]
Kingsgrove derailment
On 6 October 2000, T30 suffered a derailment near Kingsgrove station, which involved three carriages landing on their side.[citation needed] It was revealed that the derailment was caused by hot weather which made the tracks buckle. Some panels on the side of the carriages had to be replaced; this is most notably seen on N5159.[citation needed]
Homebush derailment
On 7 January 2009, T1 was derailed by catchpoints at Homebush station, injuring one passenger, after the train passed a signal at stop.[citation needed] After this derailment, driving trailer car D6106 was taken out of service and stripped for spare parts at UGL Rail's Unipart maintenance facility at Auburn.[citation needed] It was later repaired and put back together, before being re-attached to T1 in 2014. During the time D6106 was in storage, D6148 filled in for it. In addition to the above, on 9 February 2012, T1 was involved in another minor derailment near Hurstville station. The train was derailed by catch points after passing a signal at stop (SPAD).[citation needed] The driver was subsequently suspended from the job.[citation needed]
Damage at Edgecliff
On 15 January 2014, a metal guard rail speared through the floor of one of the motor cars of T10 near Edgecliff station while paired with T35 on a service bound for Cronulla.[citation needed] It was later revealed that a broken axle led to the guard rail from a concrete slab being lifted, piercing into the vestibule of carriage N5222, narrowly avoiding several passengers.[citation needed]
Stuck at Town Hall
On 23 August 2019, T50 had one of the top hatches on driving trailer car D6223 come loose and was close to being caught in overhead wires at Town Hall.[citation needed] Power had to be isolated, causing major delays for over 12 hours on almost every line as a result, with the North Shore, Northern and Western Lines being the most heavily affected. There has also been investigation that T50 may have hit an external object prior to entering the City tunnel, as scratches were detected on the affected hatch.[citation needed]
On 20 October 2021 at 4:09 AM, Tangara set T42 derailed near Kembla Grange station on a level crossing. It was caused by a motor vehicle that was stolen and driven up the rail corridor near the railway crossing. Car D6212 fell onto its side and car N5212 also derailed, while cars N5211 and D6211 did not derail and only had minor damage. There were no serious passenger injuries or deaths as a result of this incident, however two passengers, as well as the guard and the driver, were hospitalised to be checked. The driver was badly injured during the rollover of the driver trailer carriage. T sets typically did not operate through Kembla Grange, however they were used on the day of the incident instead of the usual H sets due to industrial action.[36]
A train bearing strong resemblance to a Tangara, known as the 4D, was built by A Goninan & Co in 1991 for the Public Transport Corporation.[37] Although outwardly similar to the Tangaras, it was mechanically very different, being built to be compatible with the Comeng trains operated in Melbourne. It was included in the sale of Hillside Trains to Connex Melbourne in August 1999. It was not successful and after spending large periods out of service, being withdrawn in December 2002 and stored at Newport Workshops. The 4D was bought by CityRail for parts and then scrapped in March 2006 by them at Sims Metal, Brooklyn, Victoria. The G sets' cab ends have a design similar to the 4D, with the bottom part being bent inwards.
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