What Ended

The New South Wales S set, a class of electric multiple unit train, was officially retired and withdrawn from service. The S sets were in operation from 1972 until June 2019. They were the last class in the Sydney Trains fleet that did not feature air conditioning, leading to operational inefficiencies. The last remaining sets were phased out by June 2019 following a gradual replacement process. A total of 498 carriages were part of this fleet, with the last Series 1 power car withdrawn in January 2014. The final A set was delivered in June 2014, marking the complete transition away from the S sets.

Why It Mattered

The S sets represented an outdated technology within the Sydney Trains network. Their lack of air conditioning contributed to suboptimal passenger comfort and operational performance. The trains were often referred to as "sweat sets" due to excessive heat inside during warm weather. The operational impact included increased maintenance costs and reduced reliability compared to more modern rolling stock. Their retirement allowed Sydney Trains to replace them with newer A and B sets, which improved energy efficiency, passenger comfort, and overall service quality. The transition facilitated the increased capacity of the railway network, addressing the growing demand for public transport in the region.

What Replaced It / What Gap Remains

The New South Wales S sets were replaced primarily by the Sydney Trains A and B sets, which feature modern amenities including air conditioning and improved energy efficiency. The replacement process began in 2012, with the last of the S sets phased out by 2019. There are no known gaps in service as the newer train sets have been integrated into the network. However, 14 S set carriages have been retained for heritage purposes, preserving a small part of their operational history.