New South Wales Sputnik suburban carriage stock
Preserved carriage C3702 at the Flemington Maintenance Depot
In service1957–1993
ManufacturerCommonwealth Engineering
Built atGranville
Constructed1956–1960
Number built
  • 40 motor cars
  • 40 trailer cars
Formation8 carriages
Fleet numbers
  • C3701-3740
  • T4701-T4740
Operators
Depots
Lines servedAll Sydney suburban except Eastern Suburbs

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.

These trains, as well as other types of single-deck suburban electrics that were first manufactured in the 1920s, are known by Sydneysiders as "Red Rattlers".[1][2]

History

Between 1956 and 1960, 40 power cars and 40 trailer cars were built by Commonwealth Engineering for the New South Wales Government Railways. Broadly similar to the Tulloch built carriages, built earlier in the 1950s, they differed in having motors on all four (as opposed to two) bogies and power operated doors. They operated as eight carriage sets and were targeted as S sets, gaining the nickname Sputniks after the Russian satellite that was launched at the same time as their entry into service.[3][4][5]

Ostensibly built to provide rolling stock for the newly electrified Parramatta to Penrith section of the Main Western line, they operated across the Sydney suburban network.[5]

Following the delivery of the Tulloch double deck trailers from 1964, these replaced the original trailers in the S sets. The displaced carriages had their power door equipment disconnected, were fitted with manually operated door equipment and pooled with the Suburban and Tulloch stock. These were renumbered upwards by 50, e.g. T4701 became T4751.[3][4][5]

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.[5]

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trailer cars remained in service until the end of single deck operation in January 1992.[3] The last power cars were withdrawn in November 1993.[5] Several have been preserved.[6]

Preservation

Preserved C3704 outside Eveleigh Railway Workshops in October 2006


Sydney Trains has three Commonwealth Engineering Sputnik cars in the care of Historic Electric Traction.

  • C3702 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car - Under Restoration at Redfern Carriageworks
  • C3708 - Commonwealth Engineering (4 motor) Power Car - Under Restoration at Redfern Carriageworks
  • T4790 - Commonwealth Engineering Trailer Car (ex T4740) - Stored at Redfern Carriageworks

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.[7] It was previously owned by 3801 Limited (now East Coast Heritage Rail) and was used as a site office.[7]

Privately owned cars

Car Number Owner Location Condition
C3704 Geoff Willis, formerly 3801Ltd/ECHR Taree, NSW Preserved
C3705 Carriageway[8] Dungog, NSW Converted
C3711 Carriageway Dungog, NSW Converted
C3726 Krinklewood Cootage and Carriages[9] Polkobin, NSW Converted
C3730 Country Carriage Bead and Breakfast[10] Ariah Park, NSW Converted
C3733 Formerly Mudgee[11] Mudgee Preserved
C3735 Carriageway Dungog, NSW Converted
T4736 The Last Stop Ambledown Brook[12] Wallaroo, NSW Converted

References

  1. ↑ SCANLON, MIKE (12 September 2014). "HISTORY: The old 'Red Rattlers' live on". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Generations of electric rolling stock - Sydney Trains". Sydney Trains. Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rolling Stock" Railway Digest October 1991 page 374
  4. 1 2 "Sydney's Electric Trains from 1926 to 1960" ARHS Bulletin issue 761 March 2001 pages 90-93
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 The Sputnik Cars Sydney Electric Traction Society
  6. ↑ C3708 - Comeng 1955 Suburban Motor Car NSW Environment & Heritage
  7. 1 2 "Past Fleet – East Coast Heritage Rail". East Coast Heritage Rail. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Home | Carriageway". Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "KRINKLEWOOD COTTAGE & TRAIN CARRIAGES | POKOLBIN, AUSTRALIA | SEASON DEALS FROM $218". krinklewood-cottage-train-carriages.newsouthwaleshotels.net. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  10. ↑ Rbromfield. "CARRIAGES AND RATES". Country Carriage Bed and Breakfast Temora accommodation. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "'Those items are of significance': Frustration that parts of the 'Red Rattler' stolen". Mudgee Guardian. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "Last Stop Ambledown Brook B&B - Vintage Trains near Canberra". mysite. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
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