Last ride for trains that brought a breath of fresh air to Sydney commuters

One of Sydney’s distinctive K-set trains will make the last regular passenger journey in three weeks, after more than 40 years criss-crossing the rail network and bringing air-conditioned carriages to commuters for the first time.

The retirement of the K-set fleet early next month marks the end of the trains known by Sydney commuters for their characteristic stainless-steel exteriors. It will follow the last service by a V-set train in late January.

The last passenger service by a double-decker K-set train will depart Sydney’s Central Station at 10.31am on October 2 for a final run along the T1 North Shore and T9 Northern lines.

The last K-set passenger train service will be on October 2.Transport for NSWBuilt between 1981 and 1985 at Broadmeadow in Newcastle, the K-sets were the state’s first suburban trains to feature air-conditioning and headlights. The first K-set entered service in October 1981.

To mark the end of an era, K-set trains will operate a series of “farewell journeys” over five days from September 28 – the first week of the school holidays – culminating in the final journey on October 2.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the K-set trains had been woven into the memories of people growing up in Australia’s largest city during more than four decades in service.

The first K-set train entered passenger service in October 1981.Transport for NSW“What makes the K-set special is that it is as loved for its character as it is for its history. From its stainless-steel exterior to its distinctive notching sound, it has earned a special place in Sydney’s rail culture,” he said.

“Few trains have connected with customers and rail enthusiasts quite like the K-set.”

Keith McMahon, who drove K-set trains for more than 30 years, said they were modelled on old technology but provided a modern era of rail travel.

“They were really famous for introducing air-conditioning to commuters. Everyone waited for them on a hot day,” he recalled.

McMahon, who is a Rail, Tram and Bus Union assistant national secretary, said the K-set’s solid, heavy structure resulted in a comfortable ride for passengers.

Sydney Trains pulled the K-sets from service in June, just before the winter school holidays, due to break-ins into cabs and fears of people climbing onto their exteriors while they were moving.

All K-set trains will be turned into scrap metal but the state government has retained several stainless-steel type models such as V- and S-set trains for heritage reasons.

Like the V-set trains, the K-sets were kept in service for years longer than planned due to delays to the arrival of new passenger trains. Internal reports by Sydney Trains had warned that the old stainless-steel fleets of passenger trains such as the K- and V-sets were in “poor to unacceptable condition”.

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