New South Wales S set

S sets
S90 arriving at Liverpool, February 2014
Upper deck Interior viewing the seats
In service1972–2019
Manufacturer
Built at
Constructed1972–1980
Entered service1972
Refurbished1990s
Scrapped2011–2015, 2018–2020, 2024
Number built509 carriages
Number preserved16 carriages
Number scrapped496 carriages
SuccessorA & B sets
Formation
  • 2-car or 3-car sets (L-set)
  • 6-car sets (R-set)
  • 4-car sets (S-set)
Fleet numbers
  • C3001–C3080, C3741–C3765, C3805–C3986
  • D4011–D4095
  • T4101–T4170, T4921–T4987
Capacity
  • Comeng: 484 (112 in control motors, 130 in trailer cars)
  • Goninan: 486 (113 in control motors, 130 in trailer cars)
Operators
DepotsFlemington
Lines servedUntil 2015: all Sydney Suburban lines
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length20.22 m (66 ft 4 in)
Width
  • Comeng: 3,077 mm (10 ft 1.1 in)
  • Goninan: 3,036 mm (9 ft 11.5 in)
Height
  • Comeng: 4,382 mm (14 ft 4.5 in)
  • Goninan: 4,368 mm (14 ft 4.0 in)
Maximum speed115 km/h (71 mph)
Weight
  • Comeng control motors: 47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons)
  • Goninan control motors: 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons)
  • Trailers: 34 t (33 long tons; 37 short tons)
Traction systemMitsubishi camshaft resistance control
Traction motors4 × Mitsubishi 150 kW (200 hp) series wound DC motor
Power output600 kW (800 hp)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification
  • Bo′Bo′ (control motors)
  • 2′2′ (trailers)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The S sets are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that operated on Sydney's suburban rail network from 1972 up until 2019. Originally entering service under the Public Transport Commission, the sets also operated under the State Rail Authority, CityRail and Sydney Trains. Prior to their retirement, the S sets were the last class in the Sydney Trains fleet to not be air-conditioned, earning them the nicknames "Tin cans" and "Sweat Sets". They were also nicknamed "Ridgys" because of their fluted ("ridged") stainless steel panelling; they shared this nickname with similar looking K sets and C sets. Their stainless steel appearance was also shared with the intercity V sets and U sets. All remaining sets were withdrawn from service in June 2019.