They first hit the tracks 11 months after Neil Armstrong made the lunar landing — and in the 55 years since have travelled enough kilometres to reach the moon 17 times each.
Friday marks the end of the line for the Sydney Trains V-sets that have worked the Sydney to Central Coast line every day since June 1970, and then to Newcastle from 1984, covering an estimated 140 million kilometres during their time in service.
The retirement of the 21 stainless steel, double-deck trains allows the full implementation of the 10-carriage Mariyung trains providing a more spacious cabin, more comfortable seating, accessible toilets, charging ports and many more security and safety features.
The final ever V-set service to Newcastle departs Central Station at 9:20pm Friday and will arrive shortly after midnight Saturday.
Based on 21 V-sets in the fleet, doing a combined 140 million kilometres, is the equivalent of each train travelling:
- 17 times to the moon (a journey of 384,400 kms)
- 1,733 times between Sydney and Perth (a journey of 3,846 kms)
- 41,928 times from Sydney to Newcastle (a journey of 159 kms).
The V-sets were built in Granville by Commonwealth Engineering – known as Comeng – between 1970 and 1989 and were described as ‘the most luxurious commuter stock in the world’ when they hit the tracks.
That claim no longer holds water and they have gradually been phased out as the new Mariyungs have entered service. From 30 June, 19 Mariyung trains will have entered service and be fully deployed on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, with all 38 local stations able to accommodate a longer 10-car configuration.
The Mariyung has extra leg room, high seat backs, tray tables for laptops and charging ports for mobile devices.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to returning rail manufacturing, recently launching industry engagement for the Future Fleet Program, which is seeking to revive domestic manufacturing, create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.
The Government has committed to start procuring the replacement of the ageing Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by 2027, with a 50% local content target for designing, building, and maintaining the new fleet.
V-sets will continue to run on the Blue Mountains line before they are replaced by Mariyungs. The South Coast line will get Mariyungs following their introduction to the Blue Mountains.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“They were space age for their time and it’s almost unfathomable that they have made it to the moon 17 times each in equivalent kilometres during more than five decades on the tracks.
“Today is a moment to say thank you to the workers who built these trains in Sydney that lasted so long in work, with some upgrades along the way. In farewelling the V-sets we reaffirm our commitment as a government to rebuilding a local rail manufacturing industry here in NSW.”
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“Millions of train passengers use the Central Coast and Newcastle line every year and now they can regularly enjoy a more comfortable, safe and accessible service.
“While I understand many train buffs will be sad to see the old V-set carriages go, our community has waited patiently for the new Mariyung fleet and all the comforts they provide.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:
“Today we honour the legacy of the old V-set trains which have carried generations of passengers up and down the line, as we step into a new era with our Mariyung fleet.
“It’s the end of a proud chapter in our transport history, and the beginning of a new one — one that will deliver a more comfortable travelling experience for passengers.”