At dawn on a platform in Lithgow, 150km west of Sydney, hundreds of rail enthusiasts gathered for the final journey of the V-set, the oldest electric train in New South Wales. Some had slept overnight on the platform; others took a midnight service from the city. The atmosphere was described as “rowdy but enjoyable” by 18-year-old Abdullah Balkhi, who had travelled from Sydney with friends.
The V-set, known as “steel rattlers” for its metal body, is beloved for its plush vinyl reversible seats and purple carpet. “They may be old, but they’re plush, you can sink into them,” said Balkhi, who dressed in a black waistcoat and white frilled poncho inspired by Paul McCartney. Commuters praised the old-fashioned inner doors for insulation during winter, though the carriages could become hot in summer.
When the train pulled in, it was welcomed like a superstar, with cheers and a sea of iPhones, cameras and selfie sticks. The end carriage, painted in the original royal blue and grey “Blue Goose” colours from 1970, will be kept for heritage purposes. The future of the remaining 81 retired carriages is still undecided, with heritage groups and private collectors having been invited to express interest.
The V-set is being replaced by the $4bn Korean-built Mariyung intercity trains, which have air conditioning and charging points but lack reversible seats. They were delivered five years late after union disputes and safety concerns, including the need to widen tunnels on the Blue Mountains line. Passengers have given mixed reviews. The author, travelling on a Mariyung the day before, felt “like a lettuce in the refrigerated section at Woolies” by the end of the journey.
Enthusiasts dressed in retro Sydney Trains merchandise and purple shirts, with one group playing Strawberry Fields Forever from a Bluetooth speaker. Father and son Gao and Jerry, from Hurstville, had travelled overnight during the school holidays. Jerry, who also took the final V-set service on the Central Coast line last year, said he prefers the comfortable, reversible purple seats. The final ride from Lithgow to Central Station marked the end of an era for the “steel rattlers”.
