Petersham Station October 1984

7 1/2 Minutes This was a standard Friday afternoon, 12 October 1984 when this Panasonic A4 video camera was new.
Nearly all the trains shown here are now scrapped - a few preserved.
There seems to be little about these trains on KZbin, but if enough people ask nicely, I can post some more concentrating on the Standard Sets (Single Deck Suburban cars) BUT NEVER CALL THEM 'Red Rattlers to me!!

[@WorldOfTransit]

Fantastic scenes. Glad I was around to experience the system when it was as interesting as it's shown here.

[@tonymeman6330]

Great video! So much history of the Sydney system that we will never see again!

[@SR-xk8cd]

The 80’s were a great time, especially for trains, there were loads of red rattlers, and the intercity V sets (very comfortable trains).

[@tressteleg1]

Yes a great variety of rolling stock on the suburban network, and the occasional electric locomotive as well.

[@RGC198]

I remember Petersham very well. My grandparents used to live there. However, that was much earlier, as I moved to Melbourne in 1981.

[@tressteleg1]

The scene would not have changed much between 1981 and 1984, but virtually all the trains seen have now been scrapped.

[@RGC198]

Giving my age away a bit here, but as a very young child, I remember riding on wooden single deck train carriages in Sydney. Their seating design inside was reverse to the steel carriages. The middle compartment type seats were in the ends and the long facing seats were in the centre. Very strange, when being used to travelling with the steel carriage design.

[@tressteleg1]

Well I’m probably 10 years older if that makes you feel any better 😊. The end sections over the wheels certainly had forward facing seats. All steel cars originally had end seats like that until about 1939 but were later changed to longitudinal. Wooden trailers were not changed generally at least. However I don’t recall any trailers with longitudinal seats in the centre but of course you may have struck an oddball.

[@jameskelly30]

Yes I agree now gone but definitely not forgotten. Great video lots on memories in there. Loved the wheel slip.

[@johnleonard6471]

Great footage and great memories. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@DKS225]

I miss those days so pleased that they remain albeit on film thank you tressteleg1

[@therealandrewstrains]

God how I miss the Red Rattlers, 46 Class, and the mail trains. Kids today don't realise what they are missing. Open doors, and having to hang on instead of falling out the doors. Thanks for sharing you took me back to the late 1970s and 80s when I lived in Marayong and surrounds.

[@kenwatkins7097]

I remember when we had to open and close the sliding doors ourselves (in winter) and I'd almost forgotten the sight of people and kids sitting in the open doorways (even the driver would have his door wide open),and yet,I cannot recall any report of anybody falling out of the Rattlers.Now,Trains won;t evn move until all the doors are closed tight

[@tressteleg1]

How society has progressed with the use of cottonwool. I gather there was the occasional misadventure with open doorways but nowhere near as much as would otherwise be expected

[@ahmedtouck8913]

Lets start by saying, what a awesome video. Loved the old rattlers, ,grew up in petershame all mylife,, in Nelson place, across frome the rail way, i used to sleep through the train noise , i used to know the ticket man ,when i was a kid, fred was his name, he would be dead now, but petershame i know real well,

[@tressteleg1]

Glad you liked it. Great days with a wonderful variety of trains. You probably don’t know it, but it was only newspapers and other haters who called those trains rattlers, and for only the last few years of their existence. Fans mostly call them Red sets.

[@davemail66]

Oh wow tressteleg1, this video clip is a ripper and sure brings back some truly wonderful and fond memories of railway movements around Sydney's from those good old days. Thanks mate, most appreciative of you sharing it on You Tube ;)

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

Thank you for taking the time to share these videos. It's quite amazing to think what kind of footage people may have locked away in their cupboards. Hopefully over time more and more may share what they have as you have. It seems that the restoration of Red Set F1 to working order has re-invigorated interest in these trains and brought some people out of the woodwork to share what they have of them, as if they were just waiting for that special moment for a red set to come back to the rails.

[@kwas101]

Thanks so much for the vid. A fond memory of mine is swimming as a kid in the Ashfield Olymic pool, and looking up towards the tracks and seeing the red single deck trains lazily making their way to central on the express track. They always seemed to be empty! I think the pool entry was 5c through a turnstile. Probably $20 now!

[@stevenwb]

Nah if u buy a 10x pass, it only costs around $50 for child. Just under $6 per visit as a child now. Pool closed for 2 years for renovations right now.

[@OldAussieAds]

I remember looking at that pool from the train all the time and wondering what it was like. We could very well have been looking towards each other at one point.

[@tressteleg1]

I'm pleased that you liked this video.Unfortunately my supply of vintage electric trains is empty. Most of what remains is steam, plus a large stock of overseas video, mostly trams taken 1984 to 1992.

[@spizkavas9710]

I miss these grand old girls..They were part of my travelle and others when i was growing up.

[@lycrags]

Fantastic video! Great trip down memory lane, this is the Sydney I grew up in during the 80's... Just how I remember them :)

[@tressteleg1]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Don't miss my later videos dealing with the single deck electric trains, interurbans and even rail motors in suburbia. You may also like the 'Sounds only' stereo sound recordings.

[@lycrags]

Oh yes I watched the one with the sounds only, such a distinct sound the red single decks had... very memorable... ah those were the days haha. Sitting in the open doorways :)

[@billyboy7449]

Ohh the memories of going to school in the early 80’s on the Red Rattler, Silver Fish, Blue Goose they were Awesome days. The kids these days just wouldn’t understand

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊. Yes, today’s trains may well do the job, but are ‘all the same’ and lack character.

[@timwalker5646]

i miss the red rattlers. they were so comfy on the seats best they ever had on trains. i caught the 333 from Parramatta back in 85. first stop blacktown then all stations to penrith

[@tressteleg1]

I won’t disagree. None of todays trains will last 65 years!

[@kenwatkins7097]

I was living in Petersham 1984 and had the option of catching the trains from either here at Petersham or at Lewisham station (depended if I wanted to stop for a beer at the Oxford Hotel) Thanks for these memories

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@Mr-tl4sg]

I still live in Petersham and the amount of services is officially less than 1984 even though we have far more people living here. Its a shame the camera doesn't pan to the Carrigton Hotel. Didn't realise how good I had it.

[@tressteleg1]

I did backpain around to the hotel when I saw a friend coming out but edited this out as it was irrelevant to the subject of trains.

[@tressteleg1]

Should say I did pan around....

[@MurderDronesSDJ]

1:11 you can see the PTC car as part of the B set! By the way, these cars disappeared in 1980, they served since 1977, I don't remember exactly, but to see one PTC in 1984 is my respect!

[@tressteleg1]

They were blue and white because Philiip Shirley from Britain was the boss of the railways and wanted to brighten up the trains. He did not consider that the gunk coming off the pantographs would not look good on white paint, but was hard to notice on the traditional Tuscan red etc. Apart from a fan tour in the later days, there was no attempt to keep all the blue and whites together so they were scattered here and there throughout the fleet. When Shirley left, the idea was dropped but they were not usually painted over until due for workshop attention.

[@tressteleg1]

I'm glad you liked the video. Currently I am going through VHS video tapes. There is a lot more of those fine trains to upload in coming weeks. As these trains were only called Red Rattlers by media and some politicians, it would be nicer if everybody called them Single Deck Electric Trains, which is what they were called for very much longer.

[@davemail66]

Fully agree mate, besides............I thought the red rattler term related more to the swing doors and Taits sets in Melbourne.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, Dave, it certainly did apply to the Taits and possibly Swing Doors in Melbourne for quite some time. The Taits were all gone when the video camera first went to Melbourne in 1984 and captured the Harris trains shortly before they suddenly disappeared. I lived near Sydney until late 1987 and had never heard it until some later during a return home. So fortunately the term remained dormant for several years before hitting Sydney.

[@davemail66]

True!! BTW, did you ever get to ride on the old Harris sets down in Melbourne? It's a no from me, I’ve only been to Melbourne a few times. Apart from the sad demise of them, due to asbestos in the early 80’s, the Harris sure were another iconic suburban set long gone today but not forgotten. I lived in Sydney 1985 / 86......and being a bit of a train nut (like yourself, I'm guessing)……I so wish today, that I'd taken more railway photos and possibly even video clips like this one you posted on You Tube, nice chatting BTW, cheers mate.

[@Crosshead1]

+Dave Murchie I lived in Melbourne in the md-60s (in Ivanhoe) and frequently caught both Harris and Tait sets to Flinders Street, or Princes Bridge to be more precise. I always liked it when a Harris set arrived. They were so much more comfortable to ride in, perhaps even too soft. And red rattlers was definitely a term applied to the Taits at the time and NOT Sydney single deckers. And they really did. It always annoys me when I hear the latter referred to as red rattlers. I'd also forgotten how much the single deck sets were mixed up in the latter years. Some great 'footage' here, lots of memories. Thank you for posting.

[@johnsergei]

In terms of design The Sydney Single Deckers were midway between the Tait & harris trains ( though the Bradfield motors, or even the 1926 standards ( the latter changing little in appearence right up to the last Comeng deliveries in 1960) are much closer in age & performence Taits Taits 1910 - 1926 & a trickle of new sets up the the begining of the 1950s Sydney cars, Bradfield & trailer conversion 1925, standard sets 1926- 1955 ( mostly early or late builds) & the 4 motor auto door 1955 Comeng cars. Last deliveries 1960 and funny how these cars look advanced and modern for 1926 ( when the vintage looking Taits were still pretty new themselves) yet the last Sydney singlers built, though electricly compatable with U sets & incompatable with the rest of the 1 decker fleet, still retained the by then aging appearence of the 1926 Sydney reds. They were great to ride in but I never got to see what they could do. I did enjoy many fast rides in the U sets though ( remember, same as the last reds, but lighter) So I assume these reds could move too. Only these last Comeng cars were allowed to haul 4 2 story Tulloch trailers & only these had auto doors. After the older manual door singlelies were gone, these mixed sets clung on for another 18 months 2 years or so. CHEERS!

[@samcgill]

@1:13 Thanks for this. I was sure I remembered the blue and white "rattlers" but haven't been able to find much info on them.

[@tressteleg1]

When restored partly-double decker set W3 can finally enter service for special events, you will see that a double deck trailer is in the vintage blue and white colours which you refer to. It was hoped to be fit full service before the end of the year, but Sydney’s Covid could be a problem with that timing.

[@peterkirgan6850]

Great footage thanks I used to work on de rail @ auburn workshop Manchester rd as a fitter!! Was often asked what I did ? I replied I used to De- rail de trains!!!! Lol

[@tressteleg1]

😄😆

[@theodounis272]

Great video I love the red sets especially the single deck trains can you do a east hills line one 👍 I love the sound when they first leave the station awesome sounds 👍👍 cheers

[@anfo_4241]

The doors you had to manually close? Often they'd be left open so you could hang your head out

[@tefllife2024]

The red trains were truly "Sydney" this brings back memories of the early 80s going to the city.

[@tressteleg1]

😂👍 if you have not already seen it, you might like this video. Single Deck Electric Trains Sydney Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/naqukniAh9aimas

[@tefllife2024]

@@tressteleg1 thank you, loved the end part when you showed the inside of the train, those sounds brought back memories.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@OldAussieAds]

I remember in those days how the underground stations smelled. It wasn't pleasant or unpleasant by itself. But the memory it conveys would be like candy to my nose. I'm pretty sure the smell was from the Red Set trains - though I remember it well at Martin Place and I'm not sure they had Red Sets on the Illawarra Line. They must have at one stage.

[@tressteleg1]

It was probably mostly the smell of the non-metallic brake shoes and possibly warm grease from axle boxes and motors, maybe also ozone created by the arcing of the motor brushes. While red sets never ran in service on the Bondi Junction line, they did. of course run on all the other lines although newer lines like the East Hills Extension I think came after they ended, and of course Leppington is too new also.

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

For those who are not aware the bridge you see ahead is the Crystal St bridge. I'm actually curious...had the first of the Chopper V-sets (DJMs) entered service as of October 1984? or was it still all camshaft? The V-sets that we see in this video were undoubtedly either DCM or DIM (first half batch) power cars as these were all given the Blue Goose livery - I'm not sure of any visual differences between DCM and DIM's though. The first series 1970 DDIU had already all been converted to trailers.

[@tressteleg1]

+John Smith Sorry, I can't help you. I left NSW in 1987 and never followed the variations that closely.

[@jamesfrench7299]

They've certainly spent money in it since. It looked very rustic then. My fave was the red set trundling off.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes a lot of stations have been upgraded over the last 40 years.

[@MarkHenstridge]

Well I enjoyed that, thanks for posting it.

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@chrisedmondson8321]

Fascinating! Thanks

[@tressteleg1]

All train services pass through Petersham, except those to Wollongong and Cronulla. You can see at that time that there was a great variety of rolling stock and locomotives.

[@michaelsandford1015]

Thanks for the upload

[@chris-cs8et]

Homebush still has those old next station boxes on the station.

[@tressteleg1]

Nice!

[@transportvideosaustralia7355]

Hello, it would be great if you uploaded more videos like this, or even videos focusing on the single deck suburbans. Enjoyed the video Thanks

[@tressteleg1]

+Transport Videos Australia I have more vintage video by Richard Jones taken of and riding on Red Sets so I guess that should be uploaded in due course. But unless someone else comes forth, that will be it from us.

[@amandajane8227]

How cute was the little parcel van? A real thomas the tank engine moment.

[@tressteleg1]

Well one of those ‘cute little parcel vans’ still exists, under the care of HET at Redfern. It has been examined ans eventually will be part of F1. Why not become involved to speed up its restoration?

[@amandajane8227]

@@tressteleg1 I wish I could but I no longer live in sydney.

[@tressteleg1]

Oh well, hopefully others will feel inspired to help out. There will be a video showing restoration work being done, in due course.

[@adrianross8383]

I lived on Trafalgar St by the railway, a few blocks up in Stanmore at the time. Isn't anywhere near as noisy nowadays.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes but the new trains with their silence lack ‘character’. 😄

[@MrGutfeeling]

Very interesting!

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

The soperific sedating symphony , of carriages swaying and click clacking , on an Autumn afternoon .

[@tressteleg1]

I guess you must be in the northern hemisphere as October is spring here. I’m pleased you enjoyed the watch!

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Damn my eyes . Northern or nought , the electricity smell , wafting upon the station , greeting one , is similar . Be gaad !

[@gunrunner-1873]

Many a time had to scrape the crud and re oil the crossover on the local lines under the Crystal bridge on a Sunday morning with the SM or ASM, when I was a JSA late 70s , no vests, no flagmen, only letting the box know we were there with trains thundering past, we both got the jitters.

[@tressteleg1]

Sounds like the ‘good old days’ 😊. While some of these activities were a bit risky, today there is so much red tape tying workers up in cotton wool so they can’t possibly come to harm even if being stupid, it is a wonder that anything gets achieved at all.

[@gunrunner-1873]

Sir, ... correct.

[@tressteleg1]

😊

[@leroyybrown]

I grew up Nth Beaches so not so much interaction with trains but used to get "red rattlers" from Wynyard to Town Hall when going to Hoyts/Village/Greater Union cinemas on George St plus other occasional excursions on the network

[@tressteleg1]

+leroyybrown Admirers of these trains never called them Red Rattlers. That insult was used by the media in just the few final years before their withdrawal.

[@leroyybrown]

Didn't mean any offense but I remember the term was used in late 70's early 80's especially as more polished metal double deckers came on line. Also if you search on youtube you will find video with "R** R****** in the title

[@tressteleg1]

+leroyybrown Red Rattler had been applied to Melbourne Swing Door and Tait trains for decades but up until I moved to Melbourne in late 1987 I had never heard it used in connection with Sydney single deck trains. Railwaymen called them Standard Sets, despite their lack of standardisation. When I visited Sydney for their last day, the term was common. It had been drummed up by the media in the meantime to hasten their demise and was probably successful in hastening their withdrawal. Fans more recently tend to call them Red Sets rather than the insulting term. Initially the public called them electric trains then after double deckers came, they were simply single deck (electric) trains.

[@OldAussieAds]

It's only recently I became aware that "red rattler" was an offensive term. I've always used it but with love and affection. That said, I was a kid in the late 80s / early 90s so I probably just accepted that was the name without any knowledge of the politics.

[@ThePunter29]

@@tressteleg1 It's news to me that Red Rattlers is an insulting term used by the media. We always called them Red Rattlers. People I know even these days refer to trains as 'rattlers'.

[@DKS225]

I'm Afraid to say Tressreleg1 that The S Sets are all withdrawn June The 28th was the last day of S Sets Network-wide with a farewell tour on July 21st tomorrow.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes I heard the sad news. I well remember years before any of them were built, now they are a memory just like the single deck Red sets. Anyway I hope the tour goes well on Sunday.

[@richardnaylor513]

That's when trains were trains not like the crap we have today

[@tressteleg1]

At least you can ride F1 occasionally.

[@richardnaylor513]

@@tressteleg1 You're right but the good old days are gone I miss the 80s BLOODY good trains we had too

[@richardnaylor513]

@@tressteleg1 The red rattlers will always be a part of me such great memories

[@richardnaylor513]

@@tressteleg1 I always loved that carbon smell they gave off Was that the brakes?

[@tressteleg1]

Richard NAYLOR Probably a mix of brakes, gear grease and hot motors.

[@Woodland26]

I counted 3 sets of 6 cars trains, 2 of them was single level and 1 double deckers

[@tressteleg1]

If some of the 6 car single deck U set trains were silver and on the left pair of tracks, it was normal for these to make 4, 6, 8 or 10 car trains. 6 car R sets were meant to be that size and were very common.

[@briannash5127]

K sets would have been the newest trains on the Sydney network back in 1984 now today 2020 they are the oldest train on the Sydney network how time flys

[@tressteleg1]

Brian Nash True. Almost every train seen here is gone now.

[@slepper98]

Good stuff.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@spizkavas9710]

What would you call them lolol.I lived across from a main line and you new they were coming a mile away and all i ever heard was rattle and grind.

[@imacgra1]

Very interesting how many of the single deck sets differed from the standard MTTMMTTM format: 7 cars, or a motor car in the wrong place. Never saw that anywhere with double deck cars (maybe that's just me!)

[@tressteleg1]

In their later years they were at times short of motors, thus the 7 car sets and as by then they were never divided into 4 car sets, which way round a central motor was marshalled did not matter. Perhaps you are from Melbourne as in Sydney they were C-T-T-C-C-T-T-C

[@imacgra1]

tressteleg1 definitely not from Melbourne! Grew up watching s and r sets cross Como bridge. By that time of course the single deckers were banished from the Illawarra. What you say re the arrangement of cars is quite logical. I just never saw that variety of marshalling before. I learn something every day!

[@tressteleg1]

I guessed that you were from Melbourne as that city labels their power cars M while Sydney has always used C. T = Trailer. D = Trailer with a driving cab while N = Power car without a driving cab. Tangarras and other newer trains are made up of D and N cars (I think).

[@rdrogel]

Some were sold to private buyers as sheds, accommodation, etc.

[@jso19801980]

that red train is now on display at the ATP in redfern!

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks.

[@jso19801980]

@@tressteleg1 thanks for great video. feels like time travel

[@tressteleg1]

Back to more interesting times.

[@jamessantos296]

The only trains i see there now are Waratahs and K sets

[@colinwilkie2279]

thanks for posting. please post as many as you can i could watch all day. if you have please post the interstate trains e.g gold coast motorail express thanks

[@tressteleg1]

+Colin Wilkie Unfortunately my supply of vintage video is getting rather low and there is nothing on the GC motorail. I have a friend's vintage video and it may have some gems later.

[@colinwilkie2279]

+tressteleg1 thanks mate

[@OldAussieAds]

I love the Candy livery on the K set at 6:12. Also how do you know the V-set with the Blue Goose livery at 0:56 is no longer in service as opposed to just being refurbed?

[@tressteleg1]

History is no strong point of mine but I thought I read it some time ago. In some ways they were different from the later cars. Some were modified. I think I read that V set scrapping started a few years ago so those would be the first to go. You should google it.

[@OldAussieAds]

@@tressteleg1 Many V Sets have been scrapped and you'd probably be right that the earlier carriages would be scrapped first. As far as I can tell by some Googling, the last of the Blue Goose generation should still be in service, but the site giving me the info wouldn't be regularly updated so I don't know. They'll all be scrapped soon much to my dismay. And sadly, while the remaining V Sets are still well maintained inside, they don't seem to have much care taken outside these days - The windows being so dirty it's hard to see out of them. Also the aircon and other motors sound a lot noisier than I remember in years gone by too.

[@tressteleg1]

If you find any conclusive details about any still being in service, start a separate thread for that video if you can so that others can see it. I was told by a railwayman a few years ago that all the remaining cars got an internal facelift, some done by outside contractors, but he claimed those done by the railwaymen did it better and more cheaply. Your comment about noisy Aircons and gears is just an other indication that they are sadly wearing out. The proposed new trains will have fixed seating which Sydneysiders hate.

[@OldAussieAds]

@@tressteleg1 Will do. Yes all V sets got an internal facelift which was pretty good to be honest. If they just regularly cleaned the outside of these like they do H sets and suburban rolling stock, we'd be all good. Yes, I'd say that the motors of the V sets are wearing out and it doesn't make commercial sense to sort them out now. As a regular interurban commuter I can confirm being forced to sit backwards on the soon to be introduced trains is a kick in the teeth - that is unacceptable for long distance travel. Apparently the state government paid a lot of money surveying their interurban "customers" and got the unanimous "we want reversible seats" answer. Yet the government just ignored this and went with irreversible seats anyway - A big waste of tax payer's money if they weren't going to listen to the advice anyway.

[@tressteleg1]

I see the current NSW government as a disgrace. At least they are building the new tramlines, but making a real hash of it. Skimping on train seats is no surprise.

[@chapelstboy5374]

Were Parcel Vans used for transferring RailCorp goods between stations?

[@tressteleg1]

+chapelstboy It is a bit hard to find out details from 30 years ago but expect that this would have been done. Maybe ticket stocks would go this way. I expect that guards of ordinary trains may have done carriage of some small items. One regular transport that I did see occasionally was the transport of station revenue. Certain train services had a large steel box chained up inside the guard's compartment. At each station the SM would come out with a bag and drop it through a hole in the top of the box. I doubt they would still do this but don't know.

[@chapelstboy5374]

Thanks very much for the details..good times back then by the looks :)

[@realjohnboxall]

Parcel vans were also for ... sending parcels. The NSW railways had a reasonably efficient parcel service. We used to send stuff from Gymea to Wickham (can't do that anymore!), would be overnight at a low cost. Up until the early 90s (1991?) you could through check baggage from a long distance NSW train right through to a Sydney suburban station. I once sent my bags from Murwillumbah through to Gymea. Good times.

[@davidlang1125]

Just posted a complimentary comment on another of your videos where I used the term “red rattlers” and I just read here that you don’t approve of the term! I apologize profusely! It’s a term of endearment believe me! I do want to see more videos showing the “standard set” - is that the correct term? Especially showing what the inside is like.

[@tressteleg1]

I have just replied to you. Red Ratter was accepted and apparently not too derogatory in Melbourne. However in Sydney it was a media beat up which probably hastened their departure. It only appeared in their last few years of use. I had never head the term when I moved to Melbourne in 1987. It appeared soon after that. Initially they were simply electric trains, then after double deckers came along, single deckers. Railwaymen called the Standard Sets although as you will have noticed, they were anything but standard in appearance. And the 1955 cars were electrically incompatible with the original cars. Anyway I am pleased that you have enjoyed the videos. Look for tassiebaz on KZbin. He has more scenes, some taken with me so they look the same.

[@sydneyrailbuff]

Great historical footage. May I have permission to use footage from this and your video "Double Deck and Other Wollongong Diesels 1985" in a video about the S sets? I plan to release it late this month. Credit will be provided as in the video about the Inner West Light Rail/Rozelle Goods Line

[@tressteleg1]

Yes that is fine as you have already said that you will note the footage came from this site. Please send me the link when complete. I was sorry to see the end of the S sets. I was around decades before the first existed. I guess the lack of air con was their major pitfall.

[@sydneyrailbuff]

@@tressteleg1 Cheers. I will provide credit and post the link here when it is uploaded. I'm planning to hold off posting the video until after the S sets' public farewell on Sunday the 21st of July. It is a shame to see them go, but with their lack of air con and subsequent unpopularity with commuters it had become inevitable.

[@tressteleg1]

All good. I look forward to seeing your work. 😊

[@sydneyrailbuff]

@@tressteleg1 Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6u9dpSAZrGqndE

[@marcusbaker830]

1:33 I think that is the U series V set

[@tressteleg1]

Maybe. I never closely followed the set designations in the early days of what became the V sets. Maybe history somewhere says when the designation was changed.

[@dangleoof6944]

Some thing is not correct red rattlers still remain the sets a f1 and w3

[@trubyssot]

very nice

[@HumeHwy]

A 7-car single deck electric train at 1:12? Wow.

[@andrewduffin9216]

Oh good. I didn't miscount...

[@HarishDharmapalan]

And a 10 car U boat at 5:50.

[@HarishDharmapalan]

Were there many S sets on the city circle back in 1984? Don't see any passing by in this video. Just red rattlers with some Tulloch trailers and a K set.

[@tressteleg1]

They had been in production for about 10 years by then so there were plenty around. In fact in the offpeak, single deck sets were rare. With a strong liking for those, I expect I did not run the camera when the more common double deck sets were the only trains visible.

[@HarishDharmapalan]

@@tressteleg1 Did they use 4 or 8 car S sets during the off peak on the city circle? Did you get heap of air ventilation when they had beclawat windows?

[@tressteleg1]

I never was a rail commuter and from 1971 lived near Wollongong so train riding was even less than ever. So all I can say is that 4 car sets on some lines were not uncommon on weekends but I could not nominate any particular lines.

[@tressteleg1]

Again, I can comment about window airiness of those cars but I suppose that with the trains rushing along, there would be some incoming air. Anyway I think a few S sets still run so you could check for yourself. I’m a long way away.

[@HarishDharmapalan]

@@tressteleg1 Yes. A few S sets are still running. I was on one last Friday, thanks to a fb group and some rail employees and enthusiast who tell me where to track down the S sets. Also finding the run number on NextThere and tracking down the time on AnyTrip helps. It's very hard for them to retire as train commuter population is increasing and more trains in Sydney are needed. I also heard in 30 years time the whole network will be converted to Metro.

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

There are only 5 46 class electric locos that have been preserved. Interesting fact, it looks like the leading 46 loco in your video at 6:56 appears to be none other than 4601 (from what I can make out of the numbers, although a bit hard to tell). If it is indeed 4601, that is one of the 5 preserved. RTM Valley Heights finished a beautiful restoration of it (check their facebook page post March 2015), however, they are missing a few components to get her in operating order again. Nice to see her here.

[@tressteleg1]

+John Smith I certainly would like to see one run again. And an 86 too.

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

@@tressteleg1 2 years since this post, but some news that might interest you, 8606 was just very recently re-activated and ran light engine from Lithgow to Clyde Yards yesterday (Sat 27 October 2018). It will be used for underground work trains (robel and spoil apparently). There are numerous videos now on youtube of this movement. Don't think many ever thought they would see one run again soon - if ever. There is also talks that 2019 will see potentially another 86 re-activated, as well as a 46.

[@tressteleg1]

Wonderful news thanks John. I could only readily see one video, through Parramatta, but sent it and your news to a transport group. Let’s hope the predictions come true!

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

@@tressteleg1 Just to let you know in case you missed it, 8606 was already put to work on it's first job last night which went very well. Bevan Wall has posted a video of this with the link below. The locomotive is used (and crewed) by Pacific National whose locomotives i've noticed even a few months ago were being used on weekend track work and infrastructure trains in the inner west - mostly saw the 81 class. 8606 is/was based at the former Lithgow Locomotive Depot, which now is either controlled or owned by Pacific National. 4615, still in-active, is there too along with 2 U set power cars. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYjHfHiwYsqVjpo

[@tressteleg1]

Excellent, Thanks John! Let’s hope we see it out and about a lot more. I suppose the 81 on the back was ‘just in case’. I think the biggest problem for electric loco usage these days has been the split up of the state railways into private freight operations and City Train. Obviously city train owns the overhead wires. I suspect that they charge not only for the electricity, but also a wear and tear fee which could together make electric loco operation unviable financially. Of course the electric locomotive is absolutely ideal for tunnel work. I wonder if we will ever see the 86 used for entirely outdoor track maintenance jobs. Clearly not when the overhead power is turned off!

[@donaldyeoman8914]

Dangerous times!..travelling at night,lonely isolated railway stations.

[@tressteleg1]

Less dangerous than these days.

[@donaldyeoman8914]

The 1980s,violence was rampant across the network,graffiti,trains were getting destroyed,travelling at night was very dangerous,more so for women..very dangerous times indeed the 1980s,1990s..

[@tressteleg1]

@@donaldyeoman8914 At that time I lived in Wollongong but often came to Sydney on a Friday for train riding and sometimes driving. I suppose you have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to observe crime, (besides graffiti) and luckily I never came across any.

[@donaldyeoman8914]

I still remember all train seats that were ripped out and left discarded by the tracks,it was in the papers everyday about rampant violent crime,it was dangerous,travelling late at night,early hours of the morning you saw a lot of things,women had to be very carefull though,I still remember the nightsafe tangaras,travel near the guard at night,marked with a blue light,by 1991 that was when security across the network was really being ramped up,stations were being repainted,trains cleaned daily,much brighter station lighting,phones,emergency help phones,more police,security..took a very long time,but they got there in the end.

[@dangleoof6944]

I think I spotted a few k sets in there

[@tressteleg1]

Possibly. It is quite a few years since I processed that video so forget what was in it. Have fun checking all the types in that video. Most are gone now.

[@chris-cs8et]

Probably S Sets

[@TheWinnerIsSydney]

👍

[@tressteleg1]

Dave. See my video 'Harris Trains Melbourne' video posted 3 months ago. It will answer your question and show you a lot more.