Celebrating 35 years of Double Deck Suburban Chopper C-sets and celebrating Sydney Electric Train Society's (SETS's) 30th Anniversary!
The 56 Suburban Chopper Cars "C-Sets" were the final series of gleaming stainless steel double-deck electric trains built for the State Rail Authority of NSW. They were constructed by Goninan's at Broadmeadow. They entered service from July 1986, and were considered as prototypes for the Tangara trains which followed them.
Due to a brief life extension, we have taken the opportunity to organise the planned second tour, with one of the few remaining Chopper C-sets. This second SETS C-Set Celebration trip will be your chance to not just ride in, but photograph a Chopper Suburban Set on the North Shore and Newcastle Lines, on this unique tour!
We intend to use the four-car preserved double-deck C-Set, comprising C 3584, T 4266, T 4274 and C 3608. The trip will start at Olympic Park at around 9:30 am. We will exit the Olympic Park loop and will proceed around the Bankstown loop line, which in the not too distant future will be converted to a driverless Metro system, so this is not to be missed!
We then proceed to the City Underground via the flying junctions - weaving our way across the maze of tracks between Redfern and Central. After Wynyard we climb to cross the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge. We then will continue our way to Newcastle Interchange via the scenic North Shore line.
You can take in the stunning water views as we travel over the Hawkesbury River Bridge, wind our way along the edge of Mullet Creek and across Gosford Broadwater.
After a quick lunch break at Newcastle, we will retrace our steps back to Sydney and continue via Epping and Strathfield to conclude at Olympic Park at approximately 6:30pm!
Chopper C sets have very rarely traversed the Central Coast line and never have with passengers aboard. This will be the first time that one has operated up this far north in 20 years! A full timetable will be issued on-board the train.
There will be many photostops along the way. These are expected to include, Wiley Park, Hurlstone Park, Gordon, Asquith, Gosford, Cockle Creek, Newcastle Interchange, Wyong, Gosford (again), Hawkesbury River, Thornleigh and Strathfield. So if you have been meaning to get plenty of photos or footage of a C-Set, here is your chance!
Light refreshments will be available on board the train, with a variety of drinks and snacks available. Please be reminded there will be no toilets on the train. Please make use of the facilities at Olympic Park before boarding the train. Station toilets have been requested to be open at all of our extended photostop locations.
Due to the on-going COVID19 pandemic risk, and to ensure everyone's safety, all passengers will be provided with Australian-made P2/N95 non-vented facemasks. These must be worn by all passengers aged 12 and above while on the train, except when actually eating or drinking. Passengers will also be spread out and socially distanced within the train. More details on our COVID safety plan will be advised closer to the event.
THE FARES ARE:
Adult: $97,
Child (5-18 yrs): $57,
Concession: $87, and
Family (1 or 2 adults and upto 3 children): $154
