80 km/h (50 mph) (TfNSW limit) 3000 series cars: 80 km/h (50 mph) (designed speed) 7000 series cars: 113 km/h (70 mph) (designed speed) 20 km/h (12 mph) (TfNSW limit through platforms)
Traction system
3000 series cars: 2 x Metropolitan-Vickers MV172 motors per carriage 7000 series cars: 4 x AEI149 motors per carriage Semi automatic electro-pneumatic resistance control, Series wound brushed DC traction motors
Transmission
3000 series cars: 58:18 Gear ratio. Straight cut gears. Wheel diameter 42 inch (1067mm) 7000 series cars: 74:17 Gear ratio. helical gears. Wheel diameter 36 inch (914mm)
Between 1926 and 1929, a further 290 power cars, 248 trailer cars and three parcel vans were built in Australia by Clyde Engineering and Walsh Island Dockyard.[4] In 1937, Clyde Engineering built a further 12 power cars, to provide coverage while the 1920s built power cars were overhauled.[5] The reason for the imbalance between motor and trailer cars was the conversion of some American Suburban carriage stock to operate with the new power cars.[1][2]
In 1937, six trailers (T4543-T4548) were converted to driving trailers.[2] Between 1968 and 1975, some power cars were converted to 4 motors using traction equipments similar the W sets and U sets and fitted on air suspended bogies. These were renumbered upwards by 4000, e.g. C3306 became C7306.[6]
Withdrawals commenced in the 1970s, 92 remained in service with CityRail in July 1991.[6] The last were withdrawn in 1992. Several have been preserved.[3][7][8][9][10][11]
Colour schemes and overhauls
Power cars and carriages
As built, the standard cars were painted in Tuscan red and russet with yellow pin striping.[12] In the 1940s, that was changed to Tuscan red with buff lining.[12] In 1957, the livery was changed to plain Tuscan red, which many cars retained until their withdrawal.[12] From 1973, the livery became Public Transport Commission blue and white, before that was superseded by Indian red in 1976. The original cream and brown interiors were repainted in two-tone green, but that was not done to all cars. Overhauls of the stock continued up until 1988, with some receiving sliding aluminium Beclawat windows to alleviate rust problems.[3][5][6] A few cars also received Airmate pantographs, replacing the original Dorman Long pantographs.[12]
Preservation
Sydney's Red Set F1, which is made up of four carriages (C7396, C3218, T4527, C3426), is preserved and in operational condition. This is as a result of collaboration between Sydney Trains, Transport Heritage NSW, who plan public trips and tours on the train, and Historic Electric Traction. The restored train resumed carrying passengers on 11 June 2016, 14 years since its last such trip.[13][14] One of the carriages of set F1, power car C3426, led the first electric train to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. All four cars were built in 1927.[15]
Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains has multiple Standard cars in the care of Historic Electric Traction:[16]
C3102 - Leeds Forge (2 motor) Power Car - Stored at Redfern Carriageworks
C3218 - Walsh Island (2 motor) Power Car - Operational at Flemington Car Sheds
C3426 - Clyde Engineering (2 motor) Power Car - Operational at Flemington Car Sheds
C3653 - Walsh Island (2 motor) Parcel Van (ex C3903, C3553, C3773) - Stored at Redfern Carriageworks
C7396 - Clyde Engineering (4 motor) Power Car (ex C3396) - Operational at Flemington Car Sheds
D4052 - Walsh Island Driving Trailer Car (ex T4547, D4673) - Stored at Redfern Carriageworks
T4527 - Walsh Island Trailer Car - Operational at Flemington Car Sheds
Walsh Island Trailer Car T4310, owned by Transport Heritage NSW / Sydney Trains, is on static display at NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere.[citation needed] The Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum own one standard power car, Clyde Engineering (2 motor) power car C3167, stored at Dorrigo.[17]
Due to their width and age, Transport for NSW limits the speed of these carriages to 80 km/h (50 mph) during normal running and 20 km/h (12 mph) when passing platforms. They are further limited to running in wide loading gauge track areas only, which includes the whole suburban network, but does not include the Main North or West lines leaving Sydney.[citation needed]
Private ownership
Many cars were sold via contract to Milfren Pty Ltd from 1990 to 1994 to private buyers.[18] Usually this would only include the body of the carriage, lacking pantographs and bogies, however there are some exceptions to these.
Usually ran with a parcel van to fill up a 2 car consist in case of an equipment failure.
Painted as "The Giraffe" for Cityrail Zoo Train H22 in March 1991 as part of a brand deal with Taronga Zoo. Restored back into this livery after a period in grey.[24]
^Howarth, Roy; Ryan, Glen (2010). THE LEEDS FORGE CARS C3101 to 3150. 95 Allawah Road Dungowan NSW 2340: Bow River Publishing. pp. 150–151. ISBN978-0-646-53011-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Howarth, Roy; Ryan, Glenn (2017). SINGLE DECKERS FROM NEWCASTLE - THE CARS BUILT AT WALSH ISLAND DOCKYARD - VOLUME 2: TEH POWER CARS C3251 - 3300. 95 Allawah Road Dungowan NSW 2340: Bow River Publishing. pp. 181–182. ISBN978-0-646-95320-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Howarth, Roy; Ryan, Glenn (2014). SINGLE DECKERS FORM NEWCASTLE - THE CARS BUILT AT WALSH ISLAND DOCKYARD - Volume 1 - The Power Cars C3171 to C3220. Bow River Publishing. ISBN978-0-646-91348-3.
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