Trackside

A popular train amongst enthusiasts and passengers, the V-Sets were the original double deck interurban train sets on the network. As well as being externally appealing, they are furnished with very comfortable, reversible seating, air conditioning and large windows.

History

Electrification to Gosford opened in 1960, and the first electric hauled passenger and freight trains to and from Sydney soon arrived at Gosford behind electric motive power, at which point, steam or diesel would take over. With the ever increasing size of Gosford as a regional centre, and more and more passengers wishing to commute to Sydney, an increase in capacity on this line was required.

By 1968, the state government called for a tender to construct 16 double deck interurban cars for use on the electrified network, to serve the interurban destinations – combining the practicalities of a commuter train with the comfort levels required for the longer journeys.

The first “V-Set” ran in 1970, although they wouldn’t come to be known as “V-Sets” for a few years yet. Unlike existing rolling stock, all of the seating in V-Set cars was economy class seating, as one class travel would be introduced in 1974. The first batch of V-Set cars, although externally very similar to the current fleet, had one important, structural difference – their low carbon, mild steel underframes (later series were built with stainless steel underframes). Due to corrosion issues, all 16 of the original cars were withdrawn in late 2005.

In 1977, the second batch of V-Set cars were introduced, and these were the first to carry the “V-Set” designation (the previous batch were known as “DD Interurban” cars. These cars remain in use today. This batch also saw the introduction of the “driving trailers”, which are no longer used in this role due to a lurching sensation when the correlating motor car behind pushed forward into the leading trailer car.

A third batch were introduced in 1982, with the rest of the fleet introduced by 1989. In some of the later series of cars, the move to “Chopper” control was made (as with the Cityrail suburban fleet at this time, with the C-Sets), as well as minor interior changes (including automatic doors between vestibule and passenger area).

With the completion of electrification to Lithgow, Newcastle and eventually Kiama, the V-Sets have always been used for the long haul passenger services “under the wires” providing a very comfortable and pleasant traveling experience for all.

External Appeal

With the classic stainless steel styling of 1970’s era Cityrail suburban stock, combined with a fiberglass front (not dissimilar to that found on the C-Sets), the V-Sets are a classic icon of Sydney “Intercity” travel. Over their time in service, they have worn a number of liveries.

Originally introduced in a “blue goose” scheme (photo unavailable) which was a blue and grey colour scheme, they have come to wear all the State Rail and Cityrail corporate colours. Unlike the suburban stock, a number of control cars are still running around the network wearing these old colour schemes.

From the Candy colours (white, yellow, orange and red) of 1982, V-Sets have also been seen in “Golden Goose” colours (a grey/orange scheme applied over a lot of older, shabbier colour schemes for the 2000 Olympics) and the present day “Intercity” colours of yellow and blue (introduced with the Dapto to Kiama electrification in 2001). Additionally two power cars (one now repainted into the current Intercity scheme) have also worn a special “20 years of Gosford Electrication” scheme – white, blue and yellow, often mistaken as an experimental Cityrail scheme).

Future

With no sign of a replacement, the V-Sets continue to provide top level service to the passengers of Cityrail, efficiently and comfortably serving long distance commutes to Lithgow, Kiama and Newcastle. Although V-Sets on the South Coast Line are rarely seen (most rosters having been replaced by OSCAR trains), they continue to be the staple on all other lines, with suburban stock being limited as far as Wyong and Springwood.

For more information on V-Sets, their history, their carriage types and numbers, and everything else you could imagine, please take a look at The Intercity Platform