Wiktor Wise
Sydney's suburban rail network is the busiest in Australia, with over 359 million journeys made in the 2017-18 financial year. Electrification of the Sydney suburban lines began in 1926, with the first electric train running between Central Station and Oatley on the Illawarra line on 9 December 1926. This marked a significant shift in urban transport for Sydney, modernizing the network and reducing commuting times for travellers. The electrification of the Sydney rail network was a gradual process, with new lines being electrified and extended over several decades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of electrification | 1926 |
| First electric train route | Between Central station and Oatley on the Illawarra line |
| Date of first electric train route | 9 December 1926 |
| Voltage | 1,500 volts direct current |
| Power source | Overhead electrification system |
| Train type | Single-deck multiple units |
| Train sets | H sets, D sets, A sets, B sets, M sets, V sets |
| Timetable | Accelerated timetable introduced between Sydney and Sutherland on 5 September 1926 |
| Frequency | Trains ran every 10 minutes |
| Speed | Faster than steam trains |
| Capacity | Longer trains |
| Lines electrified | Sydney-Sutherland, Sydney-Bankstown, Sydney-Lavender Bay, Illawarra Line, Sydney-St James, Sydney-Town Hall, Sydney-Wynyard, Sydney-North Shore |
| Power supply | 1,500 V DC |
| Further electrification | Electric trains reached Lithgow via Penrith by 1957, Gosford by 1960, Campbelltown in 1968, Riverstone in 1975, Waterfall in 1980, Macarthur in 1985, Richmond in 1991 |
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What You'll Learn
Sydney's suburban lines electrified in 1926
Sydney's suburban rail network is the busiest in Australia, with over 359 million journeys made in 2017-18. The electrification of Sydney's suburban lines began in 1926, marking a significant shift in the city's transport system and the start of modernisation.
The first electric train ran on 1 March 1926, departing from Mortdale sidings at 7:10 am. It travelled to Hurstville, where passengers boarded, and then proceeded to make stops at all stations between Hurstville and the city before returning to Oatley. This event was a significant milestone in the history of Sydney's rail system, yet newspaper reports suggest that commuters did not show much enthusiasm for this new mode of transport. The Sydney Morning Herald noted that people did not seem to prefer the electric train, and those who rode it treated it as uneventful.
The electrification of the network involved more than just changing trains and erecting overhead wiring; it also required the construction of new stations to accommodate the electric trains. The Railway Department had to discourage travellers from jumping aboard the faster-moving electric trains, as was common with steam trains. The first accelerated timetable was introduced on 5 September 1926, with electric trains replacing steam trains between Sydney and Sutherland. This new service reduced commuting times and increased the frequency of trains to every ten minutes.
The electrification of Sydney's suburban lines continued with the Bankstown line, and electric services commenced between Sydney and Bankstown on 24 October 1926. The line was powered by a substation at Belmore. The section of the line north of the harbour, near the Harbour Bridge, was converted to electric running in September 1927. The underground section between Central and St James Station, which opened on 9 December 1926, was a significant element of the new electrified network. It represented a symbol of modernisation, even though it was not the first section to be electrified.
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Electrification recommended by a Royal Commission in 1909
By the turn of the twentieth century, Sydney's train network was struggling to keep up with the growing city it served. The system was under pressure from expanding suburbia, increasing patronage, slow trains, and a central terminal that was isolated from the city centre. To address these issues, a Royal Commission in 1909 recommended electrification of the Sydney network.
The Royal Commission's recommendation for electrification was a pivotal moment, as it set in motion the transformation of Sydney's commuter experience and the city's landscape. The electrification plans aimed to modernise the network, increase speed, and enable the use of longer trains. This proposal was further supported by John Bradfield, a renowned civil engineer, in his 1915 plan. Bradfield envisioned a complete overhaul of the railway system, including new steel train bodies, track widening, power supply upgrades, and new electric signalling.
The electrification of Sydney's suburban lines began in 1926, utilising a 1,500 V DC system. This marked the start of modernisation for the network, introducing faster timetables and more frequent train services. The first electric trains operated between Sydney and Sutherland, replacing steam trains and significantly improving commuting times for travellers.
While the initial electric trains in 1926 brought about important changes, it was just the beginning of a broader electrification process. Over the following decades, new electric lines were added, extending beyond Sydney to reach Lithgow, Gosford, and other outlying areas. The introduction of powerful electric locomotives in the 1950s and the Millennium train in 2002 highlighted the limitations of the original electrification system, leading to further developments and improvements.
Today, the entire Sydney metropolitan area and intercity lines are electrified, with services provided by EMU trainsets. Sydney Trains operates nine electric suburban lines, carrying over 1 million passengers on weekdays across 1,800 km of track. The electrification of Sydney's railways, starting with the 1909 Royal Commission recommendation, has played a crucial role in shaping the city's transport system and accommodating the needs of a growing metropolis.
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Sydney's first electric train ran between Central and Oatley
The electrification of Sydney's railways had been proposed as early as 1909 by a Royal Commission, and John Bradfield's plan in 1915 recommended using 1,500 V DC, which was the standard in several other countries at the time. However, it wasn't until the 1920s that these plans were implemented, addressing the issues of a growing city with an outdated train system.
The trial line to Oatley was a significant milestone, as it was followed by the electrification of other lines, such as the Bankstown line, which started electric running in October 1926. The introduction of electric trains brought about faster commuting times and more frequent services, with trains running every ten minutes instead of every twenty.
Despite this progress, newspaper reports from the time suggest that commuters did not show much enthusiasm for the new electric trains, indicating a lack of awareness or appreciation for this technological advancement. Nonetheless, the electrification of Sydney's train network, including the line between Central and Oatley, marked a pivotal moment in the city's history, shaping its transport landscape for years to come.
Today, Sydney's suburban rail network is the busiest in Australia, with over 359 million journeys made in the 2017-2018 financial year, showcasing the crucial role that these early electrification efforts played in the development of the city's transport infrastructure.
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Sydney's underground railways designed and constructed in the 1920s
Sydney's suburban rail network was electrified in 1926, using a 1,500 volts direct current system. This marked a significant modernisation of the city's transport system, with electric trains offering increased speed and longer trains. The first electric trains operated on the Illawarra Line in June 1926, and the city's underground system was soon extended to include St James and Museum Stations in December of the same year.
The design and construction of Sydney's underground railways in the 1920s were influenced by the vision of John Bradfield, a renowned civil engineer. Bradfield's plan, developed in the 1920s, aimed to provide Sydney with a world-class electric railway system. He envisioned a metro-style subway network inspired by those in London and New York City. The plan included the use of new steel train bodies, track widening, power supply enhancements, and new electric signalling.
The first section of the underground railway, between Central and St James Station, opened on 9 December 1926. Electric trains that previously terminated at Central Station continued north, stopping at Museum Station before terminating at St James. This extension was a dramatic addition to the network and a powerful symbol of Sydney's transport modernisation.
The construction of the underground City Circle, a two-way loop extending under the CBD from Central Station, was a significant project during this period. It involved the electrification of suburban lines, with the trial line to Oatley followed by the Bankstown line. Electric services between Sydney and Bankstown commenced on 24 October 1926.
The expansion of the underground network continued with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which opened in 1932. An additional four-track underground line was built from Central Station to Town Hall and Wynyard, with two tracks extending over the Harbour Bridge to connect to the North Shore Line.
Today, Sydney's underground railway system continues to expand and modernise, with new lines and extensions added over the years. The entire metropolitan area and intercity lines are electrified, and Sydney Trains operates a fleet of double-deck electric multiple units across nine suburban lines. The transformation of Sydney's rail network in the 1920s laid the foundation for the extensive and efficient system we see today.
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Sydney's electric trains ran on a slower timetable initially
Sydney's suburban rail network is the busiest in Australia, with over 359 million journeys made in the 2017-18 financial year. The electrification of Sydney's trains began in the 1920s, with the first electric train running on 1 March 1926, from Mortdale sidings to Hurstville, where it picked up passengers and travelled to the city before returning to Oatley. This first electric train signalled a significant shift in urban transport for Sydney, yet commuters barely seemed to notice.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that commuters did not show much enthusiasm for the new electric trains. In fact, those who rode in it acted as if it were a mundane, everyday occurrence. The potential benefits of electric trains, such as increased speed and longer trains, were not yet fully realised. Initially, the electric trains operated on a slower timetable within the steam network.
The first accelerated timetable was introduced on 5 September 1926, when steam trains between Sydney and Sutherland were replaced by electric trains. This new service reduced commuting times and allowed trains to run every ten minutes instead of every twenty minutes previously. The electrification of Sydney's railways was a massive undertaking, driven by the vision of John Bradfield, one of Australia's most renowned civil engineers.
His plans, known as the Bradfield Scheme, included the electrification of Sydney's suburban railways to enable the safe operation of the proposed City Circle loop, which could not accommodate steam trains. The City Circle loop was completed with the opening of the Circular Quay station in the 1950s, allowing for an underground electric loop through the Sydney CBD. By the 1950s, electric trains reached outside Sydney to Lithgow via Penrith, and further electrification of suburban and intercity lines continued over the following decades.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric trains were introduced to Sydney in 1926.
The first electric train route in Sydney was between Central Station and St James, via the Illawarra Line.
The electric trains in Sydney use 1,500 volts direct current.
The public reaction to the introduction of electric trains in Sydney was underwhelming. People did not show a strong preference for the new trains, and newspaper reports suggest that commuters hardly noticed the change.
Electric trains in Sydney offered increased speed and longer trains compared to the previous steam trains. They also reduced commuting times and allowed trains to run more frequently, improving the efficiency of the transport system.
