Farewell to the V-Set: NSW Train Enthusiasts Bid Emotional Goodbye to 'Plush' Steel Rattlers
As dawn broke over the Blue Mountains, a crowd of weary but excited rail fans assembled on a platform in Lithgow, 150 kilometres from Sydney. They had come from near and far, some sleeping overnight on the cold concrete or catching midnight services from the city, all united by a single purpose: to secure a coveted purple seat aboard the final journey of New South Wales' oldest electric train, the beloved V-set. This historic ride marked the official retirement of these iconic 'steel rattlers' after decades of service, with the train set to travel through the mountains and Sydney's suburbs to its last stop at Central Station.
A Rowdy but Enjoyable Atmosphere
The mood was described by 18-year-old Abdullah Balkhi as 'rowdy but enjoyable', a sentiment echoed by many in the throng. Before the V-set even arrived, the crowd expressed their loyalty by booing a newer Mariyung D-set train that pulled into Lithgow station, highlighting the deep affection for the older models. Balkhi and his friends, who had taken the midnight train from Sydney, engaged in lively debates about the merits of the V-sets compared to their modern replacements. 'The Mariyung seats just aren't flexible. You can't move them around,' Balkhi noted, praising the V-sets for their comfort. 'They may be old, but they're plush, you can sink into them a little bit.'
Superstar Welcome and Retro Celebrations
When the V-set finally arrived, it was greeted like a visiting superstar, with cheers and a sea of smartphones and cameras capturing the moment. These trains are cherished for their distinctive features, including vinyl, reversible seats and carpets in a shade often called 'bush plum' or 'eggplant', though most simply refer to it as purple. Blue Mountains commuters have long appreciated the carriages' old-fashioned inner doors, which provide excellent insulation against winter chills, even if they can turn stiflingly hot in summer. For the final journey, passengers were encouraged to embrace the 1970s theme in their outfits, adding splashes of purple or green—the original seat colour. Balkhi, dressed in a black waistcoat and white frilled poncho reminiscent of Paul McCartney in 1969, insisted this was his regular style, while others donned retro Sydney Trains merchandise or played classic tunes like Strawberry Fields Forever from Bluetooth speakers.
Generational Love and Nostalgic Memories
The affection for these trains spans generations, as evidenced by father and son Gao and Jerry, who travelled from Hurstville overnight during the school holidays. Gao, laughing that it was 'just my son' with the train interest, settled in for a nap in a camp chair he had used on the platform, while Jerry explained his passion. 'I try to get them any time I can,' he said, having also taken the final service on the Central Coast line last year. He, like many others, praised the comfortable, reversible purple seats, adding, 'It's the nostalgia.' The V-sets have been progressively retired from other lines, with the $4 billion Korean-built Mariyung intercity trains now taking over. These new models, featuring air conditioning and charging points but lacking reversible seats, have received mixed reviews after being delivered five years late due to union disputes and safety concerns, including tunnel widening on the Blue Mountains line.
Comfort vs. Modernity: A Passenger's Perspective
Reflecting on a recent trip in a Mariyung train, one passenger described facing backwards due to no available forward-facing or reversible seats. While able to charge devices, the air conditioning grew uncomfortably icy by evening, leading to a feeling akin to 'a lettuce in the refrigerated section at Woolies'. Linda Lewis, who travelled from Sydney, summarised the sentiment simply: 'They're not comfortable, whereas these [V-sets] are.' She expressed regret that the V-sets couldn't be refurbished like the Tangara T-set trains on the Cronulla line, citing electrical issues as the barrier. Originally commissioned in 1968 and built by Comeng at its Granville factory in Sydney until 1989, the V-sets hold a special place in NSW's transport history.
Emotional Arrival and Official Farewell
As the train neared Central Station, it became packed with passengers, with an overhead announcement declaring it 'passengerised' and many unable to board. Arriving 15 minutes late—a fitting delay for a service known for its timeliness issues—the V-set was met by a rapturous crowd of several thousand, accompanied by a brass band. NSW Transport Minister John Graham acknowledged the train's unique legacy, stating it would be hard for any train to be as beloved as the V-set, while expressing hope that the Mariyung models would grow in popularity. Driver Peter Gunczy, holding back tears after over four decades at the helm, remarked on the poignant timing of the late arrival. 'I'm truly humbled by today. I really am,' he said. 'This is a really big turnout.' With 81 carriages now retired and one preserved in heritage 'Blue Goose' colours, the future of these iconic trains remains uncertain, but their final journey was a heartfelt tribute to an era of rail travel.
