Written By: Thomas Bulic and Matthew Read
Photos By: Thomas Bulic, Joshua Stanbury, Dean Jones, Matthew Read, Behnam Emery and Thomas McIntosh
Page Last Updated: 9/8/20
In 1988, the "third-generation" train, called Tangara – an aboriginal word meaning "to go", was introduced. This train marked a radical departure from the previous double-deck car design both in appearance and technically. The Tangara is the last publicly funded electric rolling stock built for CityRail – all future electric trains (Millennium, OSCar, Waratah & NIF) are being built and operated under public-private partnership agreements. A total of 450 Tangara carriages were introduced between 1988 and 1994, allowing the withdrawal of the remaining single deck suburban passenger cars in 1993, rather ironic seeing as the remaining single deck stock had been overhauled less then 5 years prior as a result of the Tangara project being delayed by a few years.
Eighty G set cars featuring toilets, high-backed reversible seating and passenger door opening controls were built between 1994 and 1996. These generally operated on outer-suburban runs, typically to Springwood (the limit of wide electric rolling stock), Gosford and Wollongong (interesting to note two 8 car Tangaras still run to Wollongong on peak services) though they also sometimes operated in suburban service. These outer-suburban sets allowed the retirement of the last remaining single-deck U sets in 1996. One set, G7, was experimentally fitted with dual-voltage A/C traction. This set was extensively damaged in the Waterfall rail accident in January 2003 and scrapped after completion of the coronial inquiry into the accident.
In late 2005, 15 V set carriages were suddenly withdrawn due to the discovery of corrosion in their underframes. G sets began to operate more off-peak Intercity services to Port Kembla, Kiama, and Wyong to cover for the withdrawn V sets. H sets started entering service in December 2006. The newer trains feature a very similar level of passenger amenity to the G sets and can be seen as a continuation of the design. Their introduction leads to a change in the role of the G sets. From 2007 the G sets were progressively redeployed to suburban services, providing extra capacity on high-demand existing services such as on the Western line and allowing new services to be introduced. By 2008 G sets were often used on peak suburban services that extended into intercity areas, such as services to Springwood (via the Western line).
In 2009, the conversion of G sets to T sets began, to improve their suitability for suburban working as H sets took over their outer suburban duties. Conversion work consisted of the removal of toilets and their replacement with additional seating. Other work included the installation of new handrails and hangers and the recoding of cars and sets. The carriage numbers were kept, however, the O (outer suburban) prefix was dropped. OD became D, while ONL and ON became N. The set numbers were changed from G1-30 to T100-130. G4 was the first to be converted (into T104). In 2010 sets being converted started receiving a full interior refurbishment as part of the program to refurbish all the Tangara carriages. In 2018, sets T14 and T121 (ex G21) both became mixtures of T set and ex-G set carriages, with both sets swapping two carriages with each other.
In 2010, a refurbishment program began for all Tangaras, which were by then nearly 20 years old and showing signs of wear and tear. This work involved reupholstered seats, new flooring and handrails, relocated end saloon partitions and a complete internal repaint. Inter-car doors and handrails are repainted yellow, and the interiors share common fittings with the Millennium and OSCAR cars.
In July 2013, Sydney Trains trialled rearranging the seating on the upper and lower decks of two carriages. There were 16 fewer seats per carriage; 3x2 seats were replaced by 2x2 seats in one carriage (N5134 on set T78) while in the other carriage (N5131 on set T77) there are double seats on one side and a bench-style seating on the other. Both carriages were later returned to the normal 3x2 arrangement.
In late 2005, 15 V set carriages were suddenly withdrawn due to the discovery of corrosion in their underframes. G sets began to operate more off-peak Intercity services to Port Kembla, Kiama, and Wyong to cover for the withdrawn V sets. H sets started entering service in December 2006. The newer trains feature a very similar level of passenger amenity to the G sets and can be seen as a continuation of the design. Their introduction leads to a change in the role of the G sets. From 2007 the G sets were progressively redeployed to suburban services, providing extra capacity on high-demand existing services such as on the Western line and allowing new services to be introduced. By 2008 G sets were often used on peak suburban services that extended into intercity areas, such as services to Springwood (via the Western line).
In 2009, the conversion of G sets to T sets began, to improve their suitability for suburban working as H sets took over their outer suburban duties. Conversion work consisted of the removal of toilets and their replacement with additional seating. Other work included the installation of new handrails and hangers and the recoding of cars and sets. The carriage numbers were kept, however, the O (outer suburban) prefix was dropped. OD became D, while ONL and ON became N. The set numbers were changed from G1-30 to T100-130. G4 was the first to be converted (into T104). In 2010 sets being converted started receiving a full interior refurbishment as part of the program to refurbish all the Tangara carriages. In 2018, sets T14 and T121 (ex G21) both became mixtures of T set and ex-G set carriages, with both sets swapping two carriages with each other.
In 2010, a refurbishment program began for all Tangaras, which were by then nearly 20 years old and showing signs of wear and tear. This work involved reupholstered seats, new flooring and handrails, relocated end saloon partitions and a complete internal repaint. Inter-car doors and handrails are repainted yellow, and the interiors share common fittings with the Millennium and OSCAR cars.
In July 2013, Sydney Trains trialled rearranging the seating on the upper and lower decks of two carriages. There were 16 fewer seats per carriage; 3x2 seats were replaced by 2x2 seats in one carriage (N5134 on set T78) while in the other carriage (N5131 on set T77) there are double seats on one side and a bench-style seating on the other. Both carriages were later returned to the normal 3x2 arrangement.
Tangara Technology Upgrade (TTU)
In 2014, phase one of a technology upgrade program (TTU), aiming to improve reliability and upgrade ageing components, was underway. A contract for phase two of the program, aiming to extend the life of these trains and bring technology into line with newer trains was awarded to UGL Limited in August 2015. This was expected to be completed by July 2018. The expected completion date has been revised to 2019, but as of August 2020, the TTU Tangara’s are yet to enter service. But with ATP being installed and operational on Sector 1 (Carlton to Cronulla & Helensburgh) and Sector 3 (Wentworthville to Emu Plains) and other parts of the network being tested currently for the system the TTU entering service looks to be in the near future.
The first phase of the program involved upgrading the passenger doors to cut down on vandalism, as the steel panels on the original doors were prone to being kicked out by vandals. The door kicking incidents often led to unnecessary delays as the guard had to lock off the affected carriage. The new lightweight passenger doors have a similar design to the doors on the Millennium M sets, namely the window shape with the curved bottom. This phase of the project was completed at the end of July 2016. The first set to receive the new doors was T96, in October 2014.
The program includes overhauling air conditioning units and windscreen wiper units, replacing passenger side doors, train operating systems and driver's desks.
In May 2019, Tangara sets T106 (Ex G6) and T72 were released for testing the new technology upgrades, which include internal information screens, external destination boards and new voice announcements, both automated and digital. As the program is running late, four 4-car sets have been removed from service to accelerate the program, which requires one 8-car T set roster on Sector 3 to be operated by an extra Waratah A set. The project was due for completion by the end of 2020, however, this target hasn't been met, since none of the upgraded Tangaras are in service as of 31 May 2020
The full list of features added to the Tangara trains is as follows:
The program includes overhauling air conditioning units and windscreen wiper units, replacing passenger side doors, train operating systems and driver's desks.
In May 2019, Tangara sets T106 (Ex G6) and T72 were released for testing the new technology upgrades, which include internal information screens, external destination boards and new voice announcements, both automated and digital. As the program is running late, four 4-car sets have been removed from service to accelerate the program, which requires one 8-car T set roster on Sector 3 to be operated by an extra Waratah A set. The project was due for completion by the end of 2020, however, this target hasn't been met, since none of the upgraded Tangaras are in service as of 31 May 2020
The full list of features added to the Tangara trains is as follows:
- New LCD passenger information displays and digital voice announcements
- Fold-up vestibule seating for customers in wheelchairs
- Upgraded lighting
- New external destination boards
- Security cameras (in a similar location to the Waratah trains)
- Push button-operated gangway doors between carriages
- The small hole above the doors covered
- New gangways
- Red courtesy seats
- More railings (The small padded lower backrest has been removed)
- New pantographs
- New air conditioning
- New driver and guard controls
- New emergency help points
- Automatic Train Protection (ATP)
Unit Status
Set No.T1
T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17 T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23 T24 T25 T26 T27 T28 T29 T30 T31 T32 T33 T34 T35 T36 T37 T38 T39 T40 T41 T42 T43 T44 T45 T46 T47 T48 T49 T50 T51 T52 T53 T54 T57 T58 T59 T60 T61 T62 T63 T64 T65 T67 T68 T69 T70 T71 T72 T73 T74 T75 T76 T77 T78 T79 T80 T81 T83 T86 T88 T89 T90 T91 T92 T93 T94 T95 T96 T97 T98 T99 T100 T101 T102 T103 T104 T105 T106 T107 T108 T109 T110 T121 T122 T125 T126 T127 T128 T129 T130 |
LiverySydney Trains
Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains |
OwnerSydney Trains
Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains Sydney Trains |
Begun ServiceJul 1988
Nov 1989 Mar 1993 Aug 1989 Oct 1989 Jan 1991 Jul 1991 Mar 1992 May 1992 Mar 1992 Aug 1990 Feb 1993 Mar 1992 Nov 1992 Dec 1992 May 1989 Jun 1992 May 1989 Unknown Dec 1987 Dec 1989 Feb 1989 Feb 1991 Mar 1990 May 1990 Unknown May 1989 Jun 1990 Jun 1990 Jun 1990 Jul 1990 Oct 1990 Sep 1990 Oct 1990 Mar 1991 Mar 1991 Apr 1991 May 1991 May 1991 Jun 1989 Jun 1991 Jan 1992 Jun 1991 Aug 1991 Unknown Feb 1992 Oct 1991 Oct 1991 Mar 1992 Jun 1992 Unknown Dec 1991 Dec 1990 Nov 1991 Oct 1992 Dec 1993 Feb 1994 Jun 1992 Jul 1992 May 1992 May 1992 Aug 1992 Dec 1992 Dec 1993 Nov 1993 Oct 1993 May 1988 Sep 1988 Dec 1991 Mar 1989 Mar 1989 Unknown Unknown Jun 1989 May 1988 Sep 1989 Jun 1990 May 1990 Unknown Unknown Nov 1991 Unknown Unknown Unknown May 1993 May 1992 Jun 1993 Jul 1993 Oct 1992 Aug 1992 Sep 1993 Unknown Oct 1995 Unknown Apr 1994 Unknown Mar 1995 Apr 1995 May 1995 Jun 1994 Sep 1995 Jun 1994 Oct 1994 Oct 1995 Unknown Jun 1994 Unknown Nov 1994 Unknown Jul 1995 Aug 1995 |
Current StateOperational
Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational |
Car Numbering:
T set driving trailer cars: D6101-D6284 with additional spare cars D6285-D6289
T set non-driving motor cars: N5101-N5284 with additional spare car N5285
G set driving trailer cars: OD6801-OD6840 with additional spare car OD6841
G set non-driving motor cars: ON5801-ON5820
G set non-driving motor cars with toilet: ONL5851-ONL5870
Damaged Carriages:
The following Tangara carriages have been scrapped due to accidents:
Driving Trailer Cars: D6114, D6127, D6274, OD6831 & OD6832
Motor Cars: N5127, ON5816 & ONL5866
The following are replacement carriages:
D6285 & N5285 are on set T19 (replacing written-off cars D6127 & N5127)
D6286 is on set T99 (replacing written-off D6274)
D6287 is on set T73 (replacing written-off D6114)
D6108 is on set T16 (replacing D6241 which has been stripped for spare parts)
D6288 is on set T71 (replacing D6108 which is replacing D6241)
D6289 is on set T24 (replacing D6148 which replaced D6106 on set T1, until D6106 returned to T1)
D6184 is on set T37 (repaired set back to normal)
D6841 is on set T103 (replacing D6823)
D6252 is on set T13 (replacing D6249)
D6807, N5252 & D6148 are on set T121 (replacing D6841, N5854 & D6808)
D6808 & N5854 are on set T14 (replacing D6252 & N5252)
Ex-G Set car D6841 has previously filled in for D6811, D6174, D6208, and then D6807 as a spare car over the years.
D6807 also filled in for D6273 on T99 in January 2001 as a spare car before D6273 was returned to T99.
Driving trailer car D6127 and motor car N5127 were both involved in the Wentworthville train derailment on 27 December 1989, the first major accident involving the Tangara fleet. D6127 was written off, having collided with the platform. N5127 was sent to Dunheved on the Ropes Creek line for training firefighters, along with S Set car C3866.
T set driving trailer cars: D6101-D6284 with additional spare cars D6285-D6289
T set non-driving motor cars: N5101-N5284 with additional spare car N5285
G set driving trailer cars: OD6801-OD6840 with additional spare car OD6841
G set non-driving motor cars: ON5801-ON5820
G set non-driving motor cars with toilet: ONL5851-ONL5870
Damaged Carriages:
The following Tangara carriages have been scrapped due to accidents:
Driving Trailer Cars: D6114, D6127, D6274, OD6831 & OD6832
Motor Cars: N5127, ON5816 & ONL5866
The following are replacement carriages:
D6285 & N5285 are on set T19 (replacing written-off cars D6127 & N5127)
D6286 is on set T99 (replacing written-off D6274)
D6287 is on set T73 (replacing written-off D6114)
D6108 is on set T16 (replacing D6241 which has been stripped for spare parts)
D6288 is on set T71 (replacing D6108 which is replacing D6241)
D6289 is on set T24 (replacing D6148 which replaced D6106 on set T1, until D6106 returned to T1)
D6184 is on set T37 (repaired set back to normal)
D6841 is on set T103 (replacing D6823)
D6252 is on set T13 (replacing D6249)
D6807, N5252 & D6148 are on set T121 (replacing D6841, N5854 & D6808)
D6808 & N5854 are on set T14 (replacing D6252 & N5252)
Ex-G Set car D6841 has previously filled in for D6811, D6174, D6208, and then D6807 as a spare car over the years.
D6807 also filled in for D6273 on T99 in January 2001 as a spare car before D6273 was returned to T99.
Driving trailer car D6127 and motor car N5127 were both involved in the Wentworthville train derailment on 27 December 1989, the first major accident involving the Tangara fleet. D6127 was written off, having collided with the platform. N5127 was sent to Dunheved on the Ropes Creek line for training firefighters, along with S Set car C3866.
Lines Serviced:
Sector 1:
T4: Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Bondi Junction to Waterfall/Helensburgh (weekday school train) & Cronulla via Hurstville & Sutherland.
Sector 1:
T4: Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Bondi Junction to Waterfall/Helensburgh (weekday school train) & Cronulla via Hurstville & Sutherland.
Sector 3:
T1: North Shore & Western Line: Emu Plains/Schofields (peak services only) to City via Parramatta, City to Berowra or Hornsby via Gordon
T9: Northern Line: Gordon to Hornsby via Strathfield
T1: North Shore & Western Line: Emu Plains/Schofields (peak services only) to City via Parramatta, City to Berowra or Hornsby via Gordon
T9: Northern Line: Gordon to Hornsby via Strathfield
Intercity:
South Coast Line: Waterfall & Thirroul to Port Kembla, as well as two direct services from Wollongong to Sydney and one direct service from Sydney to Wollongong in the peak periods. (0448 ex Wollongong, 0643 ex Wollongong, 1732 ex Bondi Junction).
South Coast Line: Waterfall & Thirroul to Port Kembla, as well as two direct services from Wollongong to Sydney and one direct service from Sydney to Wollongong in the peak periods. (0448 ex Wollongong, 0643 ex Wollongong, 1732 ex Bondi Junction).
Incidents:
Carriage pierced by a guard rail (15/1/14)
During evening peak motor car N5222 on set T10 was pierced by a guard rail near Edgecliff railway station while on a Illawarra service to Cronulla. Issues with the train were already developing on the previous run, triggering wheel slip sensors on the train multiple times. As the train entered the Eastern Suburbs Line, a strong burning smell was reported at several stations. It was later revealed that an incorrectly repaired axle on N5222 led to the force of the 440-tonne train picking up the piece of guard rail. [15]
Loose roof hatch (13/8/19)
Just after 5 AM, set T50 blocked a critical line near Town Hall station due to a loose roof hatch on driving trailer car D6223, believed to have been damaged by a falling tree branch the night before. The roof hatch was dangerously close to the overhead electrical lines, and so power had to be isolated before moving it. This led to serious delays throughout the entire train network that disrupted both the morning and evening peak. Roads throughout Sydney were also blocked due to not coping with replacement buses.
4D
A train bearing a strong resemblance to the Tangara, known as the 4D, was built by A Goninan & Co in 1991 for the Public Transport Corporation, Victoria. Although outwardly similar to the Tangaras it was mechanically very different being built to be compatible with the Comeng trains operated in Melbourne. It was included in the sale of Hillside Trains to Connex Melbourne in August 1999. It wasn't successful and after spending large periods out of service, being withdrawn in December 2002 and stored at Newport Workshops. The 4D was bought by CityRail for parts and then scrapped in March 2006 by them at Sims Metal, Brooklyn Victoria. The G sets' cab ends have a design similar to the 4D, with the bottom part being bent inwards
Carriage pierced by a guard rail (15/1/14)
During evening peak motor car N5222 on set T10 was pierced by a guard rail near Edgecliff railway station while on a Illawarra service to Cronulla. Issues with the train were already developing on the previous run, triggering wheel slip sensors on the train multiple times. As the train entered the Eastern Suburbs Line, a strong burning smell was reported at several stations. It was later revealed that an incorrectly repaired axle on N5222 led to the force of the 440-tonne train picking up the piece of guard rail. [15]
Loose roof hatch (13/8/19)
Just after 5 AM, set T50 blocked a critical line near Town Hall station due to a loose roof hatch on driving trailer car D6223, believed to have been damaged by a falling tree branch the night before. The roof hatch was dangerously close to the overhead electrical lines, and so power had to be isolated before moving it. This led to serious delays throughout the entire train network that disrupted both the morning and evening peak. Roads throughout Sydney were also blocked due to not coping with replacement buses.
4D
A train bearing a strong resemblance to the Tangara, known as the 4D, was built by A Goninan & Co in 1991 for the Public Transport Corporation, Victoria. Although outwardly similar to the Tangaras it was mechanically very different being built to be compatible with the Comeng trains operated in Melbourne. It was included in the sale of Hillside Trains to Connex Melbourne in August 1999. It wasn't successful and after spending large periods out of service, being withdrawn in December 2002 and stored at Newport Workshops. The 4D was bought by CityRail for parts and then scrapped in March 2006 by them at Sims Metal, Brooklyn Victoria. The G sets' cab ends have a design similar to the 4D, with the bottom part being bent inwards
Unit status info courtesy of Mick McGinty