The T sets, also referred to as the Tangara trains, are a class of double-decker electric multiple units (EMU) that operate on the Sydney Trains network in New South Wales, Australia. Built by A Goninan & Co, the sets entered service between 1988 and 1995, initially under the State Rail Authority and later on CityRail. The T sets were built as "third-generation" trains for Sydney's rail fleet, coinciding with the final withdrawals of the "Red Rattler" sets from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Tangaras were initially built as two classes; the long-distance intercity G sets and the suburban T sets, before being merged after successive refurbishments. As of June 2026, the Tangaras are the oldest active electric trains in the fleet, following the temporary suspension of the K sets.

Design

The Tangaras are arranged in double-deck four-car sets, with the two outer cars being driving control trailers (carrying a D prefix) that are fitted with one pantograph each and the middle two cars being non-control motor cars (carrying an N prefix). All sets are equipped with Mitsubishi Electric chopper control.

Unlike most other Sydney Trains rolling stock, the seats on the suburban T sets are fixed, meaning that half the seats face backwards. Former or refurbished G sets, however, do have reversible seats.

History Initial delivery The SRA called for tenders in 1985 for the manufacture of the next generation of Sydney's double-deck suburban trains. Unusually, a second tender was called for the industrial design of the trains. Domestic train manufacturers were not permitted to submit bids for the industrial design, but they were expected to build to the winning industrial designer's entry. The eventual winning design came from English firm DCA Design Consultants.

In July 1986, the Government of New South Wales awarded A Goninan & Co the contract to manufacture 450 carriages for $530 million."Tangara Contract" Railway Digest September 1986 page 273 While Goninan were the lead contractor, 10% of the work was initially awarded to Clyde Engineering and Commonwealth Engineering, who were to share the production of the bogies. A limited number of bogies were initially manufactured, Comeng manufacturing them at Mittagong and Clyde fitting them out at Bathurst, but the arrangement proved to be impractical and Goninan ended up building the entire trains. In 1993, it was decided that the last 80 carriages of the order would be built to a modified design to operate peak-hour services to Wyong, Port Kembla and Dapto."A Goninan & Co" Railway Digest October 1993 page 417 In 1996, five spare driving trailers were ordered."A Review of Electric Multiple Unit rolling stock" Railway Digest September 1996 page 32

The Tangara name is from an Aboriginal language, meaning to go.

Two subclasses of Tangara were built, the suburban sets targeted as T sets, and outer-suburban sets originally targeted as G sets. The T sets replaced the first generation of Sydney's electric rolling stock.

The first train (set T20) was unveiled at Sydney Central in December 1987, heavily promoted as the "train of the 21st century","Tangara Preview" Railway Digest February 1988 page 49 operating a promotional service on 28 January 1988 targeted as TAN1, and entering regular service on 12 April 1988. The final T set (set T59, formerly T92) was delivered in February 1994 and the final G set (set T100, formerly G32) in October 1995."450th Tangara Delivered" Railway Digest December 1995 page 6

The cars built were: T set driving trailer cars: D6101–D6284 with additional spare cars D6285–D6289 T set non-driving motor cars: N5101–N5284 with additional spare car N5285 G set driving trailer cars: OD6801–OD6840 with additional spare car OD6841 G set non-driving motor cars: ON5801–ON5820 G set non-driving motor cars with toilet: ONL5851–ONL5870 Tangaras were the first Sydney suburban trains to feature plug-style doors. These were initially passenger-operated (similar to C-sets at the time), permitting doors to remain shut if no passengers needed to enter or exit, potentially improving air conditioning efficiency. However these were allegedly unpopular and eventually removed from T-sets. The outer-suburban G-sets however retained push-button operated doors.

Set G7 was fitted with an AC drive system for evaluation purposes with the existing DC stock and compatibility with signalling and communication systems on the network. G7 was scrapped in 2005 at Maintrain, Auburn after the Waterfall rail accident, as all four cars were beyond repair.

High Speed Trials In early 2000, set G7 was also subject to high-speed testing (to the XPT speed limits) up to 150 km/h between Blacktown and St Marys and 140 km/h between Hornsby and Newcastle.Rova Mech Authority 113-154, Tangara Set G7 High Speed Trial - Sydney -Newcastle - Sydney, 11 feb 2000

Upgrades in the 2010s

In 2010, a refresh of the Tangaras commenced with the interiors repainted, and new seat moquette and handrails fitted.Major makeover for Tangara fleet NSW Government 30 April 2010Tangara fleet to get make-over CityRail Xpress edition 127 28 April 2010 From 2011, all G sets were reclassified as T sets, and had their onboard toilets removed.

In July 2013, Sydney Trains trialled rearranging the seating on the upper and lower decks of two carriages. There were 16 fewer seats per carriage; 3x2 seats were replaced by 2x2 seats in one carriage (N5134 on set T78) while in the other carriage (N5131 on set T77) there are double seats on one side and a bench style seating on the other. Both carriages were later returned to the normal 3x2 arrangement."All change as RailCorp is disbanded" Sydney Morning Herald 1 July 2013

In 2014, phase one of a technology upgrade program, aiming to improve reliability and upgrade ageing components, was underway. A contract for phase two of the program, aiming to extend the life of these trains and bring technology into line with newer trains was awarded to UGL Limited in August 2015. This was expected to be completed by July 2018.UGL awarded $131m contract for Tangara technology upgrade UGL Limited 5 August 2015Newcastle train builder awarded $131m contract ABC News 5 August 2015 The expected completion date was revised to 2019, but by February 2023 only 2 sets had entered service with the second phase upgrades.

The first phase of the program involved upgrading the passenger doors to cut down on vandalism, as the steel panels on the original doors were prone to being kicked out by vandals. The door kicking incidents often led to unnecessary delays as the guard had to lock off the affected carriage. The new lightweight passenger doors have a similar design to the doors on the M sets. This phase of the project was completed at the end of July 2016. The first set to receive the new doors was T96, in October 2014.

The second phase of the program was initially set to include destination indicators and digital voice announcements, which were installed in T72 and T106, were not installed in other sets due to delays and issues with the DVA system. The upgrade still went ahead however, with vestibules given modifications including marked priority seating and Automatic Train Protection (ATP). The first sets with this revised phase 2 upgrade, T52 and T73, re-entered service on 12 November 2021. All sets have been given the phase 2 upgrade.

The program includes overhauling air conditioning units, static inverter upgrades, and modifications to the driver's desk/cab.

Other anti-vandal improvements included the introduction of 'Mousetrap' sensors. Trialed in 2015, these sensors are able to detect vapors from strong permanent markers and spray paint; triggering an in-built camera feed which is relayed to Sydney Trains staff as well as the Police Transport Command. They were then installed in most converted G sets.

Upgrades in the 2020s On 5 June 2024, it was announced the Tangaras would be receiving a life extension to enable operation until at least 2036. The upgrades will see upgrades to the doors, train operating system, and improved disability access and passenger information systems.

In June 2025, sets T19 and T35 entered service featuring the installation of an angled box on the front emergency doors to prevent train surfing. The addition is due to be installed on all sets in the future. These sets are colloquially referred to by the railfan community as "Duckgaras".

In September 2025, sets T76 and T128 were sighted in a new livery. The doors and cab fronts had been repainted a burnt orange in lieu of the previous yellow, to more closely match the modern Sydney Trains colour scheme. In November 2025, it was announced that T76 and T128 had completed their life extension project announced in June 2024. Alongside the updated livery, additions include new passenger information screens and CCTV. It was announced that these sets would recommence service soon. The other 54 sets are due to be refurbished soon, with upgrades completed by 2028. The Life Extension Project for the Tangara fleet also includes an updated front or "face" of the train featuring destination boards known as "Destos" as well as on T128 replacing the grilles covering the horns and fog light with a metal panel. Other upgrades have been implemented such as improved driver controls with touchscreens, upgraded internal gangway doors featuring pushbuttons as opposed to the old pneumatic handles, a change in the doors closing announcement similar to that on the Millennium M sets, as well as upgraded internal help points. In August 2026, T76/T128 re-entered service with the upgrades.

Service Lines serviced The Tangaras usually operate on the following lines: T1 North Shore & Western Line: Emu Plains or Schofields to Berowra or Hornsby via Parramatta & Gordon T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Bondi Junction to Waterfall & Cronulla via Hurstville & Sutherland T9 Northern Line: Gordon to Hornsby via Strathfield

Additionally, they operate limited services on the following lines: T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: Liverpool to City Circle via Regents Park and Lidcombe (weekends) T7 Olympic Park Line: Shuttle from Lidcombe to Olympic Park (limited) T8 Airport & South Line: Macarthur to City Circle via Airport or Sydenham (weekends)

Incidents

Wentworthville derailment

Driving trailer car D6127 and motor car N5127 were both involved in the Wentworthville train derailment on 27 December 1989, the first major accident involving the Tangara fleet. D6127 was written off, having collided with the platform. N5127 was sent to Dunheved on the Ropes Creek line for training fire fighters, along with S Set car C3866."A Review of Electric Multiple Unit Rolling Stock" Railway Digest September 1994 page 32

Vineyard collision On 10 February 1994, set T99 travelling from Richmond towards Blacktown collided with a van at the level crossing at . The first 3 cars derailed in a zig-zag format, starting a nearby grassfire.

Waterfall derailment

Set G7 derailed on 31 January 2003 near Waterfall, killing seven people aboard including the train driver. The driver suffered a sudden heart attack and lost control of the train while the deadman's brake failed to activate as intended. Investigations found the train to be travelling in excess of as it approached the curve where the accident occurred.

Unanderra derailment On 24 January 2009 at 2:35am, set G4 (now T104) was departing from Unanderra towards Wollongong and derailed due to the train passing a signal at danger, and the catch-points derailing the train to avoid a collision with a freight train. The first two cars and the front bogie of the third car derailed and stopped safely 50 metres from the signal. Subsequently because of this incident, G4 was the first G set to undergo conversion to suburban T set T104.Derailment of CityRail Passenger Service K496, Unanderra, 24 January 2009 THE OFFICE OF TRANSPORT SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS