K sets were manufactured by A Goninan & Co and were Sydney's first air-conditioned suburban trains and were built in two separate orders. The first eight carriages built were fitted with air-conditioning from new, while the remainder were built with forced-air ventilation. The second order was retrofitted with air-conditioning between 1987-1990, while the first order was not retrofitted until 2000.
C set (1986)
C sets were manufactured by A Goninan & Co. They were introduced in 1986 due to a delay in the design and introduction of the Tangara trains. They are distinguished from the K sets by a molded fiberglass front. They are also distinguished by the different sound of their brakes. They were the first trains to introduce the unpopular fixed seating. There are 14 C sets The order was for 56 cars: Power cars - C3581-C3608 Trailer cars - T4247-T4274 The first set entered service in July 1986 operating out of Mortdale Maintenance Depot some were delivered to Hornsby Maintenance Depot, but by December 1988 all were operating out of Punchbowl Maintenance Depot as sets K40-K51. All sets were transferred to Flemington Depot when Punchbowl closed.
T set (Tangara) (1988–1995)
Tangaras are the third generation of electric rolling stock on the suburban network and were manufactured by A Goninan & Co. They feature a distinctive sloped appearance at the cab ends and run in 4 or 8 car configuration. They were introduced between 1988 and 1994, replacing the last of the first generation single deck electrics which had operated since the 1920s. The last 80 carriages were built as G sets in 1994/95. These ran on shorter interurban services to Springwood, Port Kembla and Wyong. The G sets had baggage storage in each carriage, reversible seats, a toilet and a selective door opening capability for use with shorter platforms in outer suburban areas. These trains also operated on suburban runs, especially outside of peak hours. Following the introduction of the H sets, the G Sets were converted into purely suburban trains and reclassified as T Sets. The toilets were removed during the conversion process but many of the other unique features remain.
M set (Millennium) (2002–2005)
Millennium trains were introduced between 2002 and 2005, constituting the fourth generation of suburban rollingstock. These were the first suburban trains in Sydney fitted with a multiphase alternating current traction system. They replaced the Tulloch trailers which the S sets ran with.
H set (OSCar) (2006-2012)
OSCAR H sets were introduced to service in 2006-12. The H sets are shared with NSW TrainLink. They are examples of fourth generation trains. The trains will see additional use on Sydney Trains services once the D sets are delivered.
A set (Waratah) (2011–2014)
The A set Waratah trains were the newest rolling stock in the fleet until the arrival of the new B set. Based on the M Set, the design incorporates a number of advancements including 'smart' air-conditioning, newly revamped DVAs, newly revamped extensive use of LED lighting, internal and external closed-circuit television cameras, and a redesigned vestibule area with a wider entrance area and increased priority seating. Waratahs are also the first to consist of an indivisible eight-car configuration. The trains are manufactured in China by the Changchun Railway Vehicles, with internal fitting-out performed by Downer Rail at Cardiff Locomotive Workshops. The first Waratah train entered service on 1 July 2011 with 78 sets completed in June 2014. They replaced most R & S sets, first introduced in the 1970s, as well as timetabled services in which Tangaras and K sets previously operated.
B set (Waratah Series 2) (2018-2019)
An order for 24 trains of a very similar model was announced in December 2016. These are known as B sets or Waratah Series 2 trains. They feature a number of upgrades and several new elements compared to the A Sets such as a new livery, enhanced accessibility, improved lighting, improved air-conditioning and new information display screens. The first B set was unveiled in Auburn in March 2018. The B sets have replaced all 24 remaining 8 car S sets. An additional 17 was announced by the government in early 2019 and deliveries will commence in 2020. B2 was the first B set to enter service, commencing on 7 September 2018 with B3 following a few weeks later. All 24 B sets were in service by mid 2019.
Maintenance Depots
Sydney Trains' electric trains are based at maintenance depots. The colour of target plate at the front of each train reveals the train's maintenance depot.
Mortdale Maintenance Depot (Red target plates)
The following trains are maintained at Mortdale Maintenance Depot:
The following trains are maintained at Hornsby Maintenance Depot: T sets on Sector 3 The out stabling and depot points for Sector 3 include Penrith, Blacktown, Richmond, North Sydney and Hornsby.
carry out maintenance to the various types of sets they maintain at the depot to which the train concerned is allocated but major work may be done at Auburn Maintrain.
