New South Wales Sputnik suburban carriage stock

Sputnik suburban carriage stock
An eight car 1955 type at an unknown location in 1958
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
In service1957–1993
ManufacturerCommonwealth Engineering
Built atGranville
Constructed1956–1960
Number built
  • 40 motor cars
  • 40 trailer cars
Number preserved68 carriages
Number scrapped12 carriages
PredecessorWooden trailer carriages
SuccessorK sets
C sets
T sets
Formation8 carriages
Fleet numbers
  • C3701–C3740
  • T4701–T4740, (Later T4751–T4790)
Operators
Depots
Line servedAll Sydney suburban except Eastern Suburbs
Specifications
Car length19.105 m (62 ft 8.2 in)
Width3,142 mm (10 ft 3.7 in)
Doors4 powered double sliding doors on each side
Wheel diameter37 in (940 mm)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Traction system4 x Metropolitan-Vickers MV222 or 4 x AEI AEI149AZ series-wound DC traction motors per power car, each rated at 180 hp, semi automatic electro-pneumatic resistance control
Transmission74:17 Gear ratio. Helical gears.
Power supply120 V DC
Electric system1,500 V DC catenary
Current collectionSingle-pan diamond pantograph
Braking systemsWestinghouse, air
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The 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.

Entering service in 1957, gaining the nickname "Sputniks" after the Russian satellite of the same name that the Soviet Union launched into space the same year.

In their later years, they, alongside the Standard and Tulloch stock, were nicknamed "Red Rattlers", the expression coming from Melbourne in reference to the wooden Tait trains.[1][2] They were the last single deck carriages built for Sydney's Suburban network. They were also known as 1955 type carriages.

History

An eight car set in 1958

Between 1956 and 1960, 40 power cars and 40 trailer cars were built by Commonwealth Engineering for the New South Wales Government Railways.

They were ostensibly built to provide rolling stock for the newly electrified Parramatta to Penrith section of the Main Western line, and they operated across the Sydney suburban network.[3] 80 carriages were built by 1960.

They operated as eight car sets, being 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. The S stood for "Safety Doors".[3][4][5]

An eight set with four double deck cars at Flemington, 1968

Following the delivery of the Tulloch double deck trailers from 1964, these replaced the original trailers in the powered door sets.[3] Originally, only cars such as these power cars were allowed to haul two double deck carriages per four car set due to them having four traction motors per car and resulting in more tractive power, as opposed to two, but the older two motored cars proved to also be capable.[6]

The displaced trailer carriages had their power door equipment disconnected at Elcar workshops, where they 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, They were retargeted as W1-W9 when the double deck suburban cars that fell under the former designation were introduced in 1972.[3]

A W set (then S set) at Central railway station on Platform 18 in 1970

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, but not all cars were repainted.[3]

Due to the scarcity of parts for both the Sputnik and U set motor cars, in 1979, motor cars C3737-C3739 were converted into non-control motor cars numbered N4679-N4681 with their traction motors removed and being converted from power operated doors to manual doors before being converted into trailer carriages in November 1985 retaining the aforementioned numbers but using the "T" classification.[7]

While they were targeted differently, they were still kept at the same four depots as the other single deck suburban carriages until 1983, when the entire fleet was allocated to Punchbowl.[3]

In the early 1990s, two sets were repainted in special liveries. These were W1 (C3705, C3740, C3707, and C3710) in a "Sesqui Train" livery in celebration of 150 years of the city of Sydney, and W2 (C3701, C3719, C3725 and C3714) in a livery dubbed the "New South Wales Zoo Train MK2" as a promotion of Taronga Zoo.[3][8][9] Also repainted was trailer T4785 on set "H22" which was repainted as "The Tiger" in March 1991.[10]

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 remaining motor cars remained in service for a slightly longer period because of their powered doors, but they were eventually succeeded by the new "Tangara" T sets built by A Goninan and co.[3]

The last power cars were withdrawn in November 1993 with a few carriages scrapped across the network alongside the Standard and Tulloch cars that had been retired the same and the year before.[3] The last train to be withdrawn was set W2.[3]

Construction and distinguishing features

C7396 (ex. C3396), Clyde motor car
C3463, Tulloch Limited motor car
C3702, Comeng motor car

The carriages 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.[3]

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.[3]

These cars were additionally fitted with power operated doors, as well as being of spot welded construction rather than riveted like previously built suburban carriages, and the crew compartment door set further back with a larger cab in the power cars. They only received a sun shade over the driver's window.

TotalTypeNumbers
40Motor carsC3701–C3740
40Trailer carsT4701–T4740

To make up for the archaic technology of air-conditioning at the time, a row of ventilators were 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. The power operated doors meant that the carriages were not electronically compatible with the older carriages.

Preservation

Heritage set W3 in 2001 taking a rail tour for 75 years of electric trains in New South Wales

A four car set was formed for heritage runs to go into the care of the Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS) on behalf of the State Rail Authority.[11] The set became known as "W3" and was formed of motor cars C3702 and C3708 with Tulloch double deck trailer carriages T4801 and T4814. Motor car C3702 led the official train to open the newly electrified Campbelltown line on 4 May 1968.[12][13] All four were taken from set W5 which had been withdrawn at Punchbowl car sheds.[14]

The set was removed from Punchbowl and transferred to Redfern where it was taken by SETS in November 1994.[15][16] Also part of the fleet of manual door cars is trailer T4790, the last single deck suburban carriage built by Commonwealth Engineering in New South Wales. It along with standard cars C3237 and C3444 were all planned to return to traffic in heritage service by late 1995, but this did not happen.[11]

In 1997, several SETS members left over differences in how carriage ownership should be tackled, and formed Historic Electric Traction.[12] W3 would go into their custody along with mixed single deck set F1 with the intent of taking care of them for the SRA.[17]

W3 would be restored to convince the SRA to let heritage electric trains run on the mainline. The train's first mainline run was cut short after a motor failure on the Cronulla line. This was attributed to a Coca-Cola can found in a motor brush housing, the result of a missing cover. W3 was later given a complete motor change. Despite this incident, W3 would run tours following its certification.[12]

W3 would run on 3 March 2001 to celebrate 75 years of electric rolling stock in New South Wales.[18][12] In 2005, W3 was prohibited from running due to the introduction of new technology to meet stricter certification requirements following the 2003 Waterfall Accident. W3 last carried passengers on 25 September 2005 for the sesquicentenary of the New South Wales railways where it took passengers through Olympic park. W3 would be stored following the end of this event.[12]

15 years later, following the formation of Transport Heritage NSW and Sydney Trains, efforts were made to bring W3 back to the mainline for charter services starting in 2016 following the certification of set F1. Unlike F1, W3's condition meant it would take five years to get the train ready for mainline use. Also, unlike F1, it was decided that this time, each carriage would be repainted in different liveries to showcase suburban transportation over the course of 36 years of their service lives.[19]

The motor cars were painted in different shades of red, with C3702 in Department of Railways Tuscan red and C3708 in State Rail Authority Indian red. The trailers were also painted differently from each other, with T4801 sharing the Tuscan red livery of C3702 and T4814 being repainted in the Public Transport Commission colours, with the mandarin blue being donated to HET via the Sydney Bus Museum.

Aside from C3702, all cars would have their interior painted in two-tone green, while the former was given a brown and cream interior.[19] On March 28, 2021, W3 was removed from Redfern and transferred to Flemington by 47 class locomotive 4708. The motor cars were fitted with a train data logging system and speedometers salvaged from scrapped S sets.[19]

W3 would eventually make an appearance as a display at the 2022 and 2024 transport heritage expos.[20][21] In the case of the former, car C3708 had a flat wheel and could not run under its own power, and so it was transferred back to Flemington with the help of set K76 upon the end of the expo.[20] W3 would take its first test run on 25 September 2024, and its second on 1 October the same year.[22][23]

As of 2025, W3 has yet to perform in charter service since its 2020s' restoration.[19] Also in Historic Electric Traction's custody is T4790.[24] SETS also has four carriages that were purchased in 1998. However, these are not part of the official collection.

Number Image Location Owner Status Notes
C3702 Flemington, NSW Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains Operational Wears "S3A" target plate
C3708 Flemington, NSW Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains Operational
T4790 (ex. T4740) Redfern, NSW Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains Stored

Privately owned cars

C3704 at Redfern in 2006
C3740 outside Perth Railway station

60 cars were sold via contract to Milfren Pty Ltd from 1992 to 1994 to private buyers. Usually this would only include the body of the carriage, lacking pantographs and bogies, however there are some exceptions to these.

The power cars would be sold alongside the some of the Tulloch double deck trailers they worked with, although there plans for conversion of the double deck trailers to work with S sets, this would ultimately never materialize.[25]

The trailers were sold amongst the other manual door carriages that were being withdrawn at the time.[26]

[27][26]
Car Number Date Sold Original Location Current Location Owner Notes
C3701 ? Dubbo, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3703 ? Braidwood, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3704 08/05/2019 Redfern, NSW Taree, NSW Geoff Willis Removed from the Australian Technology Park and relocated after previously being owned by 3801 Limited (now East Coast Heritage Rail) who used it as a site office.[28]
C3705 02/03/1994 Dungog, NSW Dungog, NSW Carriageway[29]
C3706 02/02/1994 Murwillumbah, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3707 22/02/1994 Lithgow, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3709 07/06/1993 Orange, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3710 25/02/1994 Orange, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3711 27/09/1993 Dungog, NSW Dungog, NSW Carriageway
C3712 16/06/1993 Candelo, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3713 03/06/1993 Lightning Ridge, NSW Lightning Ridge, NSW Graeme Anderson[30]
C3714 24/11/1998 Dubbo, NSW Chullora, NSW SETS (private ownership) Sold by Cataract Scout Park at public auction[31]

Planned for restoration at Meeks Road Transferred to Chullora siding after sustaining heavy element and vandalism damage[12]

C3716 22/021993 Lightning Ridge, NSW Lightning Ridge, NSW Graeme Anderson
C3717 ? Unknown Unknown Unknown Kept as a spare[3]
C3718 13/11/1993 Murwillumbah, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3719 ? Dubbo, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3721 09/12/1993 Grafton, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3722 09/06/1993 Coomba Park, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3723 01/10/1993 Carcoar, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3725 24/11/1998 Dubbo, NSW Chullora, NSW SETS (private ownership) Sold by Cataract Scout Park at public auction[31]

Planned for restoration at Meeks Road Transferred to Chullora siding after sustaining heavy element and vandalism damage[12]

C3726 03/03/1994 Liverpool, NSW Polkobin, NSW Krinklewood Cootage and Carriages[32]
C3727 01/07/1993 Quandilla, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3728 06/07/1993 Knorrit Flat, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3730 07/07/1993 South Grafton, NSW Ariah Park, NSW Country Carriage Bead and Breakfast[33]
C3731 29/03/1994 Tenterfield, NSW Unknown Unknown
C3733 18/12/1993 Mudgee, NSW Mudgee, NSW formerly Mudgee[34]
C3734 10/03/1994 Winmalee, NSW Winmalee,NSW Unknown[35]
C3735 11/02/1994 Dungog, NSw Dungog, NSW Carriageway
T4679 (ex. C3737) ? Unknown Near Couridjah, NSW Tharawal aboriginal mission (formerly)[7]
T4680 (ex. C3738) ? Unknown Near Couridjah, NSW Tharawal aboriginal mission (formerly)
T4681 (ex. C3739) ? Unknown Near Couridjah, NSW Tharawal aboriginal mission (formerly)
C3740 23/02/1994 North Strathfield, NSW Helena Valley, WA[36] Unknown
T4751 (ex. T4701) 26/03/1992 Crowther, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4753 (ex. T4703) 25/09/1992 Lightning Ridge, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4754 (ex. T4704) 14/09/1992 Croppa Creek, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4756 (ex. T4706) 30/03/1992 Lightning Ridge, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4757 (ex. T4707) 03/11/1992 Lightning Ridge, NSW Lightning Ridge, NSW[37] Unknown
T4758 (ex. T4708) 09/02/1992 Dubbo, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4759 (ex. T4709) 20/07/1992 Singleton, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4760 (ex. T4710) 17/09/1992 Wee Waa, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4761 (ex. T4711) 04/05/1992 Ourimbah, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4764 (ex. T4714) 13/07/1992 Rouse, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4765 (ex. T4715) 12/02/1992 Bingara, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4766 (ex. T4716) 15/05/1992 West Wylong, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4767 (ex. T4717) 01/09/1992 Hartley, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4768 (ex. T4718) 24/11/1998 Dubbo, NSW Molong, NSW SETS (private ownership) Sold by Cataract Scout Park at public auction[31]
T4769 (ex. T4719) 26/02/1992 Peats Ridge, NSW Peats Ridge, NSW[38] Unknown
T4771 (ex. T4721) 24/11/1998 Dubbo, NSW Molong, NSW SETS (private ownership) Sold by Cataract Scout Park at public auction[31]
T4772 (ex. T4722) 07/03/1992 Mudgee, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4773 (ex. T4723) 21/05/1993 Bellingen, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4776 (ex. T4726) 20/031992 Portland, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4779 (ex. T4729) 22/07/1992 Gundagai, NSW Unknown Unknown[39]
T4780 (ex. T4730) 13/04/1992 Narromine, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4781 (ex. T4731) 28/02/1992 Windsor, NSW Taree, NSW Geoff Willis
T4782 (ex. T4732) 12/03/1992 North Dubbo, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4783 (ex. T4733) 29/07/1992 Gilgandra, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4785 (ex. T4735) 01/10/1992 Dubbo, NSW Unknown Unknown
T4786 (ex. T4736) 18/02/1992 Queanbeyan, NSW Wallaroo, NSW The Last Stop Ambledown Brook[40]
T4787 (ex. T4737) 06/03/1992 North Ryde, NSW Unknown Unknown

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 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The Sputnik Cars Sydney Electric Traction Society
  4. 1 2 3 "Rolling Stock" Railway Digest October 1991 page 374
  5. 1 2 "Sydney's Electric Trains from 1926 to 1960" ARHS Bulletin issue 761 March 2001 pages 90-93
  6. ↑ "Sydney's first double-deck suburban cars | Transport Heritage NSW". www.thnsw.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 Howarth, Roy; Travers, Greg; Beckhaus, John (2025). Duck the Hassle Trains, Busses and ferries of the Public Transport Commission of New South Wales 1972-1980. Australia. p. 243. ISBN 9781763657700.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 3 (3) (May/June ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 35. 1993. ISSN 1326-8317.
  9. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 4 (6) (November/December ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 84. 1993. ISSN 1326-8317.
  10. ↑ Cooke, David; Estell, Don; Seckold, Keith; Halgren, Stephen (2012). Coaching stock of the NSW Railways Volume 3. Australia: Eveleigh Press. pp. 86, 90. ISBN 9781876568252.
  11. 1 2 "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 4 (3) (May/June ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 41. 1994. ISSN 1326-8317.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Matthews, Paul (2019). The History of ELECTRIC TRAIN PRESERVATION in NSW. Australia.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. ↑ Traction, Historic Electric. "Historic Electric Traction". Historic Electric Traction. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 8 (2) (April ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 33. 1998. ISSN 1326-8317.
  15. ↑ C3708 - Comeng 1955 Suburban Motor Car NSW Environment & Heritage
  16. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 4 (6) (November/December ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 104. 1994. ISSN 1326-8317.
  17. ↑ Traction, Historic Electric. "Historic Electric Traction". Historic Electric Traction. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "75th Anniversary Of Electric Trains". www.sets.org.au. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Traction, Historic Electric. "Historic Electric Traction". Historic Electric Traction. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  20. 1 2 Dandaman V (27 October 2022). Full Walk-Through Tour of Red Rattler W3 - Sydney's Historic Double-Decker Electric Train. Retrieved 11 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  21. ↑ Sydney Trains Vlogs (6 October 2024). Sydney Trains Vlog 2253: Transport Heritage Expo 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  22. ↑ Transport for Sydney Vlogs (3 October 2024). Transport for Sydney Vlog 880: W Set W3 First Trial Run + Lidcombe Trainspotting. Retrieved 11 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Steve Burrows (30 September 2024). HET W Set W3 - Trial Run to Campbelltown 1.10.2024. Retrieved 11 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ Traction, Historic Electric. "Historic Electric Traction". Historic Electric Traction. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 4 (4) (July/August ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 64. 1994. ISSN 1326-8317.
  26. 1 2 "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 4 (5) (September/October ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 84. 1994. ISSN 1326-8317.
  27. ↑ "Under the Wires". Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS). Under the Wires. 5 (4) (July/August ed.). Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS): 66. 1995. ISSN 1326-8317.
  28. ↑ "Past Fleet – East Coast Heritage Rail". East Coast Heritage Rail. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  29. ↑ "Home | Carriageway". Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  30. ↑ Curiosity Mine (23 August 2017). What's it like to Live in a Train?. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via YouTube.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "SETS Fleet - Single-Deck Suburban Cars". www.sets.org.au. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  32. ↑ "KRINKLEWOOD COTTAGE & TRAIN CARRIAGES | POKOLBIN, AUSTRALIA | SEASON DEALS FROM $218". krinklewood-cottage-train-carriages.newsouthwaleshotels.net. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  33. ↑ Rbromfield. "CARRIAGES AND RATES". Country Carriage Bed and Breakfast Temora accommodation. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "'Those items are of significance': Frustration that parts of the 'Red Rattler' stolen". Mudgee Guardian. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  35. ↑ "Sydney Trains Vlogs: Retired Australian Carriages". Sydney Trains Vlogs. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  36. ↑ 8888transportpix (29 June 2010), C3740 Helena Valley, retrieved 18 January 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ Lynas, Ian (9 December 2017), 1955 P Tr (T4757) 2017-12-09 Com-Eng in Lightning Ridge - Ian Lynas DSC_0354, retrieved 25 February 2026
  38. ↑ Sanders, Garry (8 August 2010), Red Rattler at Rest, retrieved 11 September 2025
  39. ↑ "SETS Gallery - Guest Photographer". www.sets.org.au. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  40. ↑ "Last Stop Ambledown Brook B&B - Vintage Trains near Canberra". mysite. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
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