Scenes around Sydney - the early 1980s
9th July 1980

By the mid 1980s, Sydney's suburban railway system had been extensively colonised by double deck rolling stock. However, the venerable single decker units continued to operate in vast numbers, some remaining in the abortive 'PTC blue' colour scheme of the 1970s. Loco hauled trains could be seen daily under the command of the 46 class electric units while many interurban services were worked by the so-called 'U-Boats', the beautifully designed single decker silver sets that sped between Sydney and the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast. These trains represented the ultimate in 1950s sophistication and their elegant and stylish simplicity has never been bettered.

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4422 waits to depart Sydney with the South Mail to Albury on 11 July 1980.
4422 waits to depart Sydney with the South Mail to Albury on 11 July 1980.
4422_S9_South_Mail_Sydney_Terminal_11_Jul_1980.JPG
 The steady drone of 4601 and 4607 rings out across Illawarra Junction as they storm out of town with the Indian Pacific at the beginning of the long journey to Perth on 9 July 1980.
The steady drone of 4601 and 4607 rings out across Illawarra Junction as they storm out of town with the Indian Pacific at the beginning of the long journey to Perth on 9 July 1980.
4601_4607_WE1_Illawarra_Junction_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 4615 waits to depart Sydney with the Mudgee Mail on 11 July 1980.
4615 waits to depart Sydney with the Mudgee Mail on 11 July 1980.
4615_Mudgee_Mail_Sydney_Terminal_11_Jul_1980.JPG
 4631 leads a Down passenger train through Summer Hill on 9 July 1980.
4631 leads a Down passenger train through Summer Hill on 9 July 1980.
4631_Down_Passenger_Summer_Hill_9_Jul_1980.JPG
4635 stands waiting to depart Sydney Terminal with the Western Mail to Dubbo and Parkes on 9 July 1980. Note the van on the siding to the left and the U-Boat waiting for departure on the far right.
4635 stands waiting to depart Sydney Terminal with the Western Mail to Dubbo and Parkes on 9 July 1980. Note the van on the siding to the left and the U-Boat waiting for departure on the far right.
4635_Western_Mail_Sydney_Terminal_11_Jul_1980.JPG
 Set M6, a combination of single deck power cars and double deck trailers, rolls through Stanmore on 9 July 1980.
Set M6, a combination of single deck power cars and double deck trailers, rolls through Stanmore on 9 July 1980.
M6_Stanmore_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 Above the ESR platforms at Central lie the unknown and unused platforms 26 and 27, built at the same time as the Eastern Suburbs Railway in anticipation of another route to the south eastern suburbs that has never been built.
Above the ESR platforms at Central lie the unknown and unused platforms 26 and 27, built at the same time as the Eastern Suburbs Railway in anticipation of another route to the south eastern suburbs that has never been built.
Platform_26_Central_20_Sep_1981.JPG
 Platform 27 at Central, built as part of the ESR project but never used.
Platform 27 at Central, built as part of the ESR project but never used.
Platform_27_Central_20_Sep_1981.JPG
A single decker set crosses the Sydney Harbour bridge on 9 July 1980. During 2005, additional security fences were installed along the bridge footways, thus removing these sort of photogrpahic opportunities.
A single decker set crosses the Sydney Harbour bridge on 9 July 1980. During 2005, additional security fences were installed along the bridge footways, thus removing these sort of photogrpahic opportunities.
Single_decker_Harbour_Bridge_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 A single decker set pauses at Macdonaldtown station on 9 July 1980.
A single decker set pauses at Macdonaldtown station on 9 July 1980.
Single_decker_Macdonaldtown_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 A single decker set races through the suburban station of Summer Hill on the
A single decker set races through the suburban station of Summer Hill on the "Up Suburban" line on 9 July 1980.
Single_decker_Summer_Hill_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 Another single deck set at Summer Hill, 9 July 1980.
Another single deck set at Summer Hill, 9 July 1980.
Single_deck_set_Stanmore_9_Jul_1980.JPG
A single decker interurban set, known as a
A single decker interurban set, known as a "U-Boat" (in recognition of its 'target plate' descriptor) races through Illawarra Junction as it heads west out of Sydney.
U8_Illawarra_Junction_9_Jul_1980.JPG
 Another U-Boat awaits departure from Sydney terminal on the night of 11 July 1980.
Another U-Boat awaits departure from Sydney terminal on the night of 11 July 1980.
U_Set_Sydney_Terminal_11_Jul_1980.JPG
© 1998-2009 Kenneth R Date - All copyrights rest with the Author
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