Celebrating 75 Years Of Electric Trains

On 1 March 1926 the New South Wales Government Railways operated the first electric train service in Sydney from Oatley to Central. 75 years later, on the 3rd March 2001, CityRail celebrated the significant anniversary by running two heritage trains over the Sydney network. SETS was active in the organisation of the event and participated in the celebrations by assisting in the operation of one of the two single deck trains and by mounting a photographic display on Sydney Terminal and Oatley stations on behalf of the State Rail Authority. The full story of the day is told in the April 2001 issue of SETS Newsletter Under The Wires. This Theme Page features images of the various activities on the day. Historic images of early electric train scenes were made available by the ARHS Railway Resource Centre for SETS Photo Display and their valuable assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

	CityRail flyer for the celebrations (front)
	CityRail flyer for the celebrations (rear)
	Timetable for the two heritage electric trains on Saturday 3rd March 2001.
	Special Train Notice 273-2001 (front)
	Special Train Notice 273-2001 (rear)
	The "Commemoration Train" awaits its 8.52 am departure from Platform 1. The train consisted of set F1 with cars C3102 (from the first electric train on 1 March 1926) wooden trailer T4279 and steel cars C3426, C7396, T4527 and C3218. Photo: Charlie Attard
	The "Celebration Train", set W3, with C3702 leading T4801, T4814 and C3708 waits for its 9.07 am departure from Platform 2 for the celebrations at Oatley. Photo: Charlie Attard
	The Railway Band was part of the fanfare at Platform 1, Sydney Terminal which included speeches from the State Governor Dr Bashir, Transport Minister Carl Scully and Beryl Godfrey, a passenger from the first electric train in 1926. Photo: Clive Davis
	State Governor Dr Bashir waves the flag for the departure of the "Commemoration Train". Photo: Maikha Ly
	Eager patrons wait to board the "Celebration Train" set W3 at Platform 2 at Sydney Terminal led by C3702. In the background is C3426 from the "Commemoration Train". Photo: Charlie Attard
	C3708 leads set W3 into Platform 2 at Sydney Terminal while C3218 and set F1 wait departure for Oatley in Platform 1. Photo: Matthew Doyle
	A close up of the headboards carried by both the "Commemoration" F set and the "Celebration" W set. A smaller version of this headboard was presented to Oatley Station Master Jim Prentice. Photo: John Clifton
	Two views of the extensive Photo Display and the SETS stand in the main concourse at Sydney Terminal between Platforms 1 and 2. The display featured images of the various types of electric trains both previously and currently in service in Sydney. Here the left-hand display is shown. Photo: John Clifton
	Here the right-hand display is shown. A number of historic images of early carriages and construction work were made available by the ARHS Railway Resource Centre. Photo: John Clifton
	Historic Leeds Forge motor car C3102 returns to Oatley Station, where it all started nearly 75 years ago to the day of its inaugural electric run. Photo: Mick Cummins
	The official party at Oatley Station who travelled in car T4279 from Sydney Terminal. From right to left: Mr Ron Christie (acting SRA Chief Executive), Dr Marie Bashir (State Governor), Mr Carl Scully (Minister for Transport), Mr Jim Prentice (Oatley Station Master) and an SRA executive. The 75th Anniversary was the first public engagement for Dr Bashir since taking the office of State Governor of NSW. Photo: Mick Cummins
	75th Anniversary banner at Oatley Station. Photo: Mick Cummins
	Oatley Station Master Jim Prentice displays the 75th anniversary headboard which will be displayed in the station's booking office. Photo: Mick Cummins
	During the ceremony in Oatley Memorial Park, Transport Minister Carl Scully looks on while Mrs Beryl Godfrey recalls her memories of Sydney's first electric train of 1 March 1926. Photo: Mick Cummins
	In addition to the Photo Display at Sydney Terminal, SETS presented a smaller display at Oatley Station. Photo: Mick Cummins
	Beryl Godfrey who travelled on the very first train 75 years ago must have had many memories as she travelled in the VIP car T4279 to Oatley. Photo: Maikha Ly
	In the VIP car T4279 are the Governor Dr Marie Bashir and her husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie on the left nearest the window and on the right the Minister for Transport Carl Scully and the Acting SRA Chief Executive Ron Christie. Photos: Maikha Ly
	3708 has a good load of passengers enjoying their ride!
	The 75th anniversary celebrations ended with set W3 terminating at Lidcombe Platform 1 after its brief jaunt around the Sydney system before returning to Flemington Maintenance Centre. Photo: Jason Lovegrove
	One of the observers in the off side of C3102 checks his watch for an on time arrival as the "Commemoration Train" pulls into Oatley from Sutherland bound for North Sydney. Photo: Matthew Doyle
	The "Celebration Train" set W3, manned by SETS members, made history during the day becoming the first single deck train to traverse the new Airport Line. Here the train pauses at Wolli Creek to allow patrons to record the event. Photo: Maikha Ly.
	W3 is shown during a photostop in the unfamiliar surrounds of International Station on its way to the City Circle and thence Rosehill. Photo: Matthew Doyle
	After the official ceremonies the two historic trains ran services for the general public for several hours. Here Set F1 is seen approaching Oatley on a Down service. Photo: Maikha Ly
	Following its run from Sutherland the "Commemoration Train" set F1 stands in North Sydney Station ready to head south again for the Bankstown Line. The plasma indicators are a new addition since these cars were in regular service. Photo: Maikha Ly
	Happy patrons enjoy single deck travel again in C3708 on the Bankstown Line. Photo: Peter Ferguson