The V sets are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink. Built by Comeng between 1970 and 1989, the sets are of stainless steel construction, and are currently the oldest in the NSW TrainLink fleet. Initially introduced under the Public Transport Commission, only sets from 1977 and onwards remain in service, now operating on Interurban services throughout New South Wales on the Main Western line to Lithgow and Main Northern line to the Central Coast and Newcastle.
History
Orders and Contracts
In 1969 the government ordered 16 carriages for their new emu fleet The V sets were delivered over a 19-year period from 1970.
Series 1
NSWGR Contract 8/68 – Comeng contract 68/11 – specification 2384 – entered service 1970 DCF8001 – DCF8008 (8) DDC9001 – DDC9004 (4) DTF9011 – DTF9012 (2) DTC9021 – DTC9022 (2)
Series 2
NSWGR Contract 2/76 – Comeng contract 76/3 – specification 2505 – entered service 1977 Oerlikon brake valves. Sigma Blue Light air conditioning. No crew air conditioning. Low dashboard. Coloured fault lights. Mesh Resistor covering on roof. DCM8021 – DCM8036 (16) DCT9031 – DCT9044 (14)
Series 3
NSWGR Contract 3/80 – Comeng contract 79/5 – specification 2505 – entered service 1982 Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Blue Light air conditioning. No crew air conditioning. Low dashboard. Coloured fault lights. Mesh resistor covering on roof. DIM8037 – DIM8052 (16) DIT9101 – DIT9114 (14)
NSWGR Contract 3/80E – Comeng contract 8007 – specification 2505
Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Blue Light air conditioning. No Crew air conditioning. Low dashboard. Coloured Fault Lights. Mesh Resistor covering on roof. DIM8053 – DIM8068 (16)
Series 4
NSWGR Contract 7/82 – Comeng contract 8205 – specification 2505 amended
Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Yellow Light air conditioning. Crew air conditioning installed. Low dashboard (High from DIM8090). Text fault lights. Mesh resistor covering on roof. DIM8069 – DIM8092 (24) DIT9115 – DIT9138 (24)
Series 5
A continuation of the contract for Series 4, these cars were fitted with Chopper controls. NSWGR Contract 7/82 – Comeng Contract 8205 – Specification 2505 CH Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Yellow Light air conditioning. Crew air conditioning installed. High dashboard. Text fault lights. Slatted covering on roof over Chopper equipment. DJM8093 – DJM8108 (16) DIT9139 – DIT9154 (16)
Series 6
NSWGR Contract 3/86 – Comeng contract 8601
Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Yellow Light air conditioning. Crew air conditioning installed. High dashboard. Text fault lights. Slatted covering on roof over Chopper equipment. DJM8109 – DJM8123 (15) DIT9155 – DIT9169 (15)
Series 7
NSWGR Contract 7/87 – Comeng contract 8701
Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Sigma Yellow Light air conditioning. Crew air conditioning installed. High dashboard. Text fault lights. Mesh covering on roof over Chopper equipment. DJM8124 – DJM8138 (15) DIT9170 – DIT9184 (15)
Series 8
The final series. NSWGR Contract 1/88 – Comeng contract 8801 Davies & Metcalf brake valves. Yellow painted interior. Sigma Yellow Light air conditioning. Crew air conditioning installed. High dashboard. Text fault lights. Mesh covering on roof over Chopper equipment. Power operated vestibule doors (Now all isolated). Wide body side fluting, similar to that used by A Goninan & Co on their S sets. Spring Parking Brake in trailer car (Now all disconnected). Semi-permanently coupled 2 car blocks. These cars feature smoother body panels than the earlier cars. DKM8139 – DKM8145 (7) DKT9185 – DKT9191 (7)
First batch (DCF, DDC, DTF & DTC) In July 1968, the Department of Railways New South Wales placed an order for the first batch 16 cars with Commonwealth Engineering. The first 4 cars debuted on the Sydney to Gosford route on 22 June 1970, targeted as F111. All 16 cars were in operation by September 1970.
These cars had many similar features to the later-built cars, including the one-piece moulded glass reinforced plastic end in royal blue & grey livery (earning them the Blue Goose nickname), semi-automatic doors, electronically controlled brakes and double-glazed windows. They had a different style of headlight and interior lighting to subsequent builds.
There were: 8 Power Cars – DCF 8001–8008 – Economy Class 4 Driving Trailer Cars – DDC 9001–9004 – 1st Class upper deck, Economy Class other seats 4 Trailer Cars – DTF 9011-9012 – Economy Class; DTC 9021–9022 – 1st Class upper deck, Economy Class other seats