New South Wales U set

U set
Set U3A at Emu Plains, 1971
Interior of preserved motor car CF5003
Stock typeElectric Multiple Unit
In service15 September 1958 – 1 November 1996
ManufacturerCommonwealth Engineering
Built atGranville
Constructed1957–1960
Entered serviceSeptember 1958 – March 1960
Number built
  • 40 motor cars
  • 20 trailer cars
  • 20 non-smoking trailer cars
Number preserved60 carriages (29 in original condition as of 2017, 31 recycled for structural purposes)
Number scrapped20 carriages
Formation4 car sets (6, 8 and 10 Car sets in peak hours)
Fleet numbers
  • CF 5001-40
  • TF 6001-20
  • ETB 6021-40
Operators
DepotFlemington Maintenance Depot
Lines served
Specifications
Car length20.57 m (67 ft 5+78 in)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8+18 in)
Height3,920 mm (12 ft 10+38 in)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight49 long tons 8 cwt (110,700 lb or 50.2 t)
Traction system4 Metropolitan-Vickers MV222 series-wound DC traction motors per motor coach, each rated at 180 hp, semi-automatic electro-pneumatic resistance control.
Transmission74:17 Gear ratio. Helical gears. Wheel diameter 36 inch (914mm)
Power supply120vDC
Electric system1,500 V DC catenary
Current collectionSingle-pan diamond pantograph
Braking systemsWestinghouse Brake & Signal Co electro-pneumatic and automatic air brakes, brake blocks active on all wheels
Coupling systemautomatic coupling
Multiple workingMU capable in various formations
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The U sets are a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) that were operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between September 1958 and November 1996. They were colloquially nicknamed "U Boats" after the German Submarine of the same name.