Written By: Duck Wilson
Photos By: Thomas Bulic, Matthew Read, Dean Jones, Jack Martin, Thomas McIntosh and Timothy Pout
Unit Info:
Type: Electric Multiple Unit Manufactured: United Group Limited Number Built: 55 Operational: 55 4 Car Length: 81.55 meters Weight: 204.76 tonnes per 4 car set Propulsion System: IGBT Converter, AC Traction Traction Equipment: Mitsubishi Electric Power Supply: 1500 V DC Passenger Capacity: 432 seated passengers, 1014 total Seats: 102 in Driver carriage, 118 in Motor carriage, 110 in Motor carriage with toilet Max Speed: 130 km/h, upgradable to 160km/h |
H1-H55 with a diverted South Coast service to Kiama at Museum. (31/8/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
The Outer Suburban Car (OSCARs), targeted as H sets, are a class of Electric Multiple Unit in service with Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink (the operating brand of NSW Trains). A total of 221 cars were built by United Group Limited (UGL) Rail, making up a total of fifty-five four-carriage sets with one spare driving carriage, with the first entering (H3) entering service with CityRail in December 2006 and the last (H55) in December 2012.
The OSCARs are a Fourth Generation EMU similar to the Millennium M sets in service with Sydney Trains, but the interior design is more suited to long distances and, as such, is closer to that of the former Outer Suburban Tangara (G) sets.
The OSCARs are a Fourth Generation EMU similar to the Millennium M sets in service with Sydney Trains, but the interior design is more suited to long distances and, as such, is closer to that of the former Outer Suburban Tangara (G) sets.
Origin
With the withdrawal of the U sets in the 1990s, CityRail’s Intercity electric fleet consisted of two trains: Intercity V sets and Outer Suburban Tangara G sets. Whilst the G sets entered service in the mid-1990s and were relatively new, some of the V set carriages dated from the 1970s.
The V sets covered most Intercity services, with the G sets substituting when necessary, often on peak-hour services to Dapto and Port Kembla on the South Coast Line and to Gosford and Wyong on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line.
In 2005, the remaining fifteen original V set carriages (dating from 1970) were suddenly withdrawn and scrapped when it was discovered their underframes had become corroded. To cover for the V sets, the Tangara G sets began operating more off-peak Intercity services, mostly on the South Coast Line where many of the withdrawn V sets had been operating.
The order for the OSCARs, for 41 cars, was placed in March 2003, with a second, for 81 cars, following in April 2005 and a third, for 72 cars in March 2009 (this was increased to 74 in March 2010 and 99 in January 2011). The OSCARs were intended to free the G sets up for suburban workings and allow the oldest V set carriages to be withdrawn.
With the withdrawal of the U sets in the 1990s, CityRail’s Intercity electric fleet consisted of two trains: Intercity V sets and Outer Suburban Tangara G sets. Whilst the G sets entered service in the mid-1990s and were relatively new, some of the V set carriages dated from the 1970s.
The V sets covered most Intercity services, with the G sets substituting when necessary, often on peak-hour services to Dapto and Port Kembla on the South Coast Line and to Gosford and Wyong on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line.
In 2005, the remaining fifteen original V set carriages (dating from 1970) were suddenly withdrawn and scrapped when it was discovered their underframes had become corroded. To cover for the V sets, the Tangara G sets began operating more off-peak Intercity services, mostly on the South Coast Line where many of the withdrawn V sets had been operating.
The order for the OSCARs, for 41 cars, was placed in March 2003, with a second, for 81 cars, following in April 2005 and a third, for 72 cars in March 2009 (this was increased to 74 in March 2010 and 99 in January 2011). The OSCARs were intended to free the G sets up for suburban workings and allow the oldest V set carriages to be withdrawn.
Technical Details
Each OSCAR set is made up of four carriages:
Two OD driving trailer carriages (numbered 6901 – 6999, 6843 – 6854, seating 102)
ON motor carriage (numbered 5901 – 5949, 5821 – 5826, seating 118)
ONL motor carriage with a disabled access toilet. (numbered 5951 – 5999, 5871 – 5876, seating 110).
Each carriage has wheelchair accommodation in the vestibules and 3x2 seating in the Upper and Lower decks. The OSCARs also feature onboard Digital Voice Announcers and Passenger Information Displays. The carriages are built predominantly from stainless steel (apart from the cab) and are 20.34m long, 3.03m wide and 4.40m high.
Unlike the rest of the train, the driver’s cab is built as a separate fibreglass shell supported by a steel frame extending to the guard’s door. This provides more impact resistance than simply having the cab as part of the body (as is the case with older trains such as the Tangaras) and is shared with the Hunter Railcars, also built by UGL Rail.
The traction equipment is by Mitsubishi Electric with an AC Traction IGBT Converter as the propulsion system. Like all NSW electric trains, the OSCARs run on a 1500 Volt DC electrical supply drawn from an overhead catenary.
The OSCARs feature Dellner SP couplers, which allow interoperability between sets and a limited compatibility with Millennium Trains and Hunter Railcars.
Each carriage features four vestibule doors, one at each end on either side. A notable feature on the OSCAR’s is that the guard is able to select which doors open, intended for use at short platform stations. This differs from the V sets and G sets, where all doors were unlocked, and passengers opened them manually (V sets) or using push buttons (G sets). The H sets retain passenger open buttons for use at stations where only one door can be opened, such as Wondabyne. The OSCAR H sets are theoretically capable of operating at speeds of 160km/hr – this is limited to a maximum of 130km/hr in regular service.
Each OSCAR set is made up of four carriages:
Two OD driving trailer carriages (numbered 6901 – 6999, 6843 – 6854, seating 102)
ON motor carriage (numbered 5901 – 5949, 5821 – 5826, seating 118)
ONL motor carriage with a disabled access toilet. (numbered 5951 – 5999, 5871 – 5876, seating 110).
Each carriage has wheelchair accommodation in the vestibules and 3x2 seating in the Upper and Lower decks. The OSCARs also feature onboard Digital Voice Announcers and Passenger Information Displays. The carriages are built predominantly from stainless steel (apart from the cab) and are 20.34m long, 3.03m wide and 4.40m high.
Unlike the rest of the train, the driver’s cab is built as a separate fibreglass shell supported by a steel frame extending to the guard’s door. This provides more impact resistance than simply having the cab as part of the body (as is the case with older trains such as the Tangaras) and is shared with the Hunter Railcars, also built by UGL Rail.
The traction equipment is by Mitsubishi Electric with an AC Traction IGBT Converter as the propulsion system. Like all NSW electric trains, the OSCARs run on a 1500 Volt DC electrical supply drawn from an overhead catenary.
The OSCARs feature Dellner SP couplers, which allow interoperability between sets and a limited compatibility with Millennium Trains and Hunter Railcars.
Each carriage features four vestibule doors, one at each end on either side. A notable feature on the OSCAR’s is that the guard is able to select which doors open, intended for use at short platform stations. This differs from the V sets and G sets, where all doors were unlocked, and passengers opened them manually (V sets) or using push buttons (G sets). The H sets retain passenger open buttons for use at stations where only one door can be opened, such as Wondabyne. The OSCAR H sets are theoretically capable of operating at speeds of 160km/hr – this is limited to a maximum of 130km/hr in regular service.
Unit Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Set No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2007 - Present |
Operational |
|
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Dec 2007 - Present |
Operational |
|
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Dec 2006 - Present |
Operational |
|
H4 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Dec 2006 - Present |
Operational |
H5 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2007 - Present |
Operational |
H6 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2007 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2007 - Present |
Operational |
|
H8 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2007 - Present |
Operational |
H9 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2007 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
|
H11 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H12 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H13 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H14 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H15 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Jan 2008 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
|
H17 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H18 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
|
H20 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H21 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H22 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H23 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H24 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H25 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2008 - Present |
Operational |
H26 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Aug 2009 - Present |
Operational |
H27 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Aug 2009 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Aug 2009 - Present |
Operational |
|
H29 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Aug 2009 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Aug 2009 - Present |
Operational |
|
H31 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
|
H33 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H34 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H35 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H36 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H37 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H38 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H39 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H40 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2009 - Present |
Operational |
H41 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H42 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H43 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H44 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
|
H46 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H47 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H48 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
H49 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2011 - Present |
Operational |
H50 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
2011 - Present |
Operational |
H51 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Nov 2012 - Present |
Operational |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Nov 2012 - Present |
Operational |
|
H53 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Nov 2012 - Present |
Operational |
H54 |
Ex-CityRail |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Dec 2012 - Present |
Operational |
H55 |
Ex-CityRail w/ Koori Knockout |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Dec 2012 - Present |
Operational |
One carriage, OD6850, is a spare driving trailer.
The classification letter “H” is a carry-on from the G sets, the OSCAR’s predecessor. Interestingly, the OSCAR’s carriage codes (OD, ON, ONL) were also used on the G sets.
The OSCAR fleet’s home depot is Eveleigh Maintenance Centre, but other maintenance centres such
as Hornsby and Mortdale frequently maintain OSCARs as well.
The classification letter “H” is a carry-on from the G sets, the OSCAR’s predecessor. Interestingly, the OSCAR’s carriage codes (OD, ON, ONL) were also used on the G sets.
The OSCAR fleet’s home depot is Eveleigh Maintenance Centre, but other maintenance centres such
as Hornsby and Mortdale frequently maintain OSCARs as well.
In Service
The first four-carriage set, H3, was unveiled as part of the Central Station Centenary Celebrations on 5th August 2006. The OSCAR’s slow introduction into service was due to a high amount of testing as CityRail wished to avoid repeating the Millennium Trains’ troubled introduction into service.
Revenue service began on the South Coast Line on 15th December 2006 between Central and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays, replacing a G set. As more OSCARs entered service, they operated the service on all weekdays, allowing the G sets to be redeployed to high-capacity suburban services and peak hour suburban services which extended into Intercity areas, such as to Wyong via the North Shore Line and Springwood via the Western Line.
The introduction of the OSCARs allowed the Outer Suburban Tangara G sets to be re-deployed on suburban services, essentially ending their duties as Intercity trains. The G sets were subsequently re-targeted as T sets (numbered 100+) in line with their suburban counterparts. The OSCARs also allowed for a majority of the 1977-built V set carriages to be withdrawn, however one four-carriage 1977-V set remains in service today as V21.
On 8th April 2008, the OSCARs began service on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line on Sydney – Wyong all-stations services, allowing the V sets to be concentrated on the Sydney – Newcastle services and the G sets to be withdrawn from the line. Subsequently, OSCARs took over the peak-hour Wyong via North Shore and Springwood services from the Tangaras. As the OSCARs and Tangaras are built to the “wide” suburban loading gauge (around 3.1m, as opposed to 2.9m on the V sets), they are prohibited from operating west of Springwood due to tighter than usual clearances.
When the Epping – Chatswood Rail Link opened in 2009, four-carriage OSCARs were used exclusively on the shuttle service due to the line’s gradients and noise concerns with some other trains. The line was integrated into the Northern Line on 10 th October 2009, whereupon other trains (notably K sets) operated the service, but some OSCARs still appeared on these runs.
In 2012, V sets ceased operating on the South Coast Line, with OSCARs now operating a vast majority of the services alongside a few Tangara sets. Also, around this time, OSCARs began running all-stations services the entire length of the Newcastle & Central Coast Line, with the cessation of local Newcastle - Morisset services.
All fifty-five sets passed to NSW Trainlink in September 2013. In the same year, the Western Line – Springwood service was reduced from two services in both peak hours (shared between OSCARs and Tangaras) to one weekday morning service, running as an extension of a Wyong – Western Line via North Shore service. The service was dropped altogether in 2017 and now no OSCARs regularly operate west of Emu Plains. The same year, OSCARs took over all weekend Central Coast & Newcastle Line services, freeing up V sets for more Blue Mountains Line services.
During operations with CityRail, the OSCARs could be seen on suburban workings, often on the Northern Line service (which included the ECRL), the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line and the Western Line. This has been carried over to operations with Sydney Trains. Two sets, H5 and H4, were used at Automatic Train Protection (ATP) test trains for a period in the
mid – late 2010s. The two sets have now been returned to regular passenger service.
The first four-carriage set, H3, was unveiled as part of the Central Station Centenary Celebrations on 5th August 2006. The OSCAR’s slow introduction into service was due to a high amount of testing as CityRail wished to avoid repeating the Millennium Trains’ troubled introduction into service.
Revenue service began on the South Coast Line on 15th December 2006 between Central and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays, replacing a G set. As more OSCARs entered service, they operated the service on all weekdays, allowing the G sets to be redeployed to high-capacity suburban services and peak hour suburban services which extended into Intercity areas, such as to Wyong via the North Shore Line and Springwood via the Western Line.
The introduction of the OSCARs allowed the Outer Suburban Tangara G sets to be re-deployed on suburban services, essentially ending their duties as Intercity trains. The G sets were subsequently re-targeted as T sets (numbered 100+) in line with their suburban counterparts. The OSCARs also allowed for a majority of the 1977-built V set carriages to be withdrawn, however one four-carriage 1977-V set remains in service today as V21.
On 8th April 2008, the OSCARs began service on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line on Sydney – Wyong all-stations services, allowing the V sets to be concentrated on the Sydney – Newcastle services and the G sets to be withdrawn from the line. Subsequently, OSCARs took over the peak-hour Wyong via North Shore and Springwood services from the Tangaras. As the OSCARs and Tangaras are built to the “wide” suburban loading gauge (around 3.1m, as opposed to 2.9m on the V sets), they are prohibited from operating west of Springwood due to tighter than usual clearances.
When the Epping – Chatswood Rail Link opened in 2009, four-carriage OSCARs were used exclusively on the shuttle service due to the line’s gradients and noise concerns with some other trains. The line was integrated into the Northern Line on 10 th October 2009, whereupon other trains (notably K sets) operated the service, but some OSCARs still appeared on these runs.
In 2012, V sets ceased operating on the South Coast Line, with OSCARs now operating a vast majority of the services alongside a few Tangara sets. Also, around this time, OSCARs began running all-stations services the entire length of the Newcastle & Central Coast Line, with the cessation of local Newcastle - Morisset services.
All fifty-five sets passed to NSW Trainlink in September 2013. In the same year, the Western Line – Springwood service was reduced from two services in both peak hours (shared between OSCARs and Tangaras) to one weekday morning service, running as an extension of a Wyong – Western Line via North Shore service. The service was dropped altogether in 2017 and now no OSCARs regularly operate west of Emu Plains. The same year, OSCARs took over all weekend Central Coast & Newcastle Line services, freeing up V sets for more Blue Mountains Line services.
During operations with CityRail, the OSCARs could be seen on suburban workings, often on the Northern Line service (which included the ECRL), the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line and the Western Line. This has been carried over to operations with Sydney Trains. Two sets, H5 and H4, were used at Automatic Train Protection (ATP) test trains for a period in the
mid – late 2010s. The two sets have now been returned to regular passenger service.
Future
The New Intercity Fleet D sets entering service (scheduled for late 2020) will signal a change of operations for the OSCAR fleet. It is intended that the D sets will replace all V sets and all OSCARs on Intercity workings. Whilst the V sets are withdrawn, the OSCARs will be re-deployed to suburban workings, allowing some K sets and all fourteen C sets currently operated by Sydney Trains to be withdrawn.
Today
As of August 2020, the OSCAR H sets work the following services.
South Coast Line
Bondi Junction (weekends and peak hours only)/ Martin Place/ Central – Wollongong/ Dapto/ Kiama limited stops services.
Waterfall (weekdays only)/ Thirroul – Port Kembla all stations services (shared with Tangara sets).
1 weekday morning peak and 4 weekend late night services run direct from Port Kembla to Bondi Junction (in that direction only).
Central Coast and Newcastle Line
Central – Wyong/ Newcastle Interchange via Gosford All-Stations services (weekdays).
All services (weekends): Central – Wyong all stations and Central Newcastle Interchange express/ semi-fast services.
OSCARs also operate Western Line – Gosford/ Wyong/ Newcastle Interchange via North Shore services during weekday peak hours – southbound in the morning, northbound in the evening.
Sydney Trains Services
A small number of Sydney Trains services on the T1 North Shore and Western Line,
T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line and
T9 Northern Line are operated with the OSCAR fleet, carrying on from their suburban use with CityRail.
Blue Mountains Line (since ceased)
Previously, OSCARs operated Hornsby – Springwood via North Shore services alongside Tangara T & G sets. Prior to 2013, this was two per peak-hour. The 2013 timetable saw this reduced to one OSCAR-operated service on weekday mornings, operating as an extension of a Wyong – City via North Shore service. The service was dropped in 2017 and OSCARs now do not regularly operate west of Emu Plains, however they have very occasionally filled in for V sets on Central – Springwood services.
The New Intercity Fleet D sets entering service (scheduled for late 2020) will signal a change of operations for the OSCAR fleet. It is intended that the D sets will replace all V sets and all OSCARs on Intercity workings. Whilst the V sets are withdrawn, the OSCARs will be re-deployed to suburban workings, allowing some K sets and all fourteen C sets currently operated by Sydney Trains to be withdrawn.
Today
As of August 2020, the OSCAR H sets work the following services.
South Coast Line
Bondi Junction (weekends and peak hours only)/ Martin Place/ Central – Wollongong/ Dapto/ Kiama limited stops services.
Waterfall (weekdays only)/ Thirroul – Port Kembla all stations services (shared with Tangara sets).
1 weekday morning peak and 4 weekend late night services run direct from Port Kembla to Bondi Junction (in that direction only).
Central Coast and Newcastle Line
Central – Wyong/ Newcastle Interchange via Gosford All-Stations services (weekdays).
All services (weekends): Central – Wyong all stations and Central Newcastle Interchange express/ semi-fast services.
OSCARs also operate Western Line – Gosford/ Wyong/ Newcastle Interchange via North Shore services during weekday peak hours – southbound in the morning, northbound in the evening.
Sydney Trains Services
A small number of Sydney Trains services on the T1 North Shore and Western Line,
T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line and
T9 Northern Line are operated with the OSCAR fleet, carrying on from their suburban use with CityRail.
Blue Mountains Line (since ceased)
Previously, OSCARs operated Hornsby – Springwood via North Shore services alongside Tangara T & G sets. Prior to 2013, this was two per peak-hour. The 2013 timetable saw this reduced to one OSCAR-operated service on weekday mornings, operating as an extension of a Wyong – City via North Shore service. The service was dropped in 2017 and OSCARs now do not regularly operate west of Emu Plains, however they have very occasionally filled in for V sets on Central – Springwood services.
Livery
All fifty-five sets retain the CityRail livery they entered service with. This livery has a blue, yellow and black front, yellow doors and large black window band, with the rest of the body in stainless steel silver. A similar livery was used on the Hunter Railcars when they first entered service in 2007. After the creation of NSW Trainlink, the CityRail logos were replaced with those of the new operator and “Quiet Carriage” stickers were applied to the doors of the driving carriages.
All fifty-five sets retain the CityRail livery they entered service with. This livery has a blue, yellow and black front, yellow doors and large black window band, with the rest of the body in stainless steel silver. A similar livery was used on the Hunter Railcars when they first entered service in 2007. After the creation of NSW Trainlink, the CityRail logos were replaced with those of the new operator and “Quiet Carriage” stickers were applied to the doors of the driving carriages.
H Set Interior
The cab of an OSCar. (29/7/20)
Photos By: Timothy Pout
Photos By: Timothy Pout
Inside carriage OD6959. (30/6/20)
Photos By: Thomas McIntosh
Photos By: Thomas McIntosh
Information sourced from Wikipedia, Track Record and UGL Rail