1993: The end of the red rattlers

Between 1926 and 1993,  Sydney's rail network was served by single deck trains known as the "red rattlers" because of their red appearance and for the rattling windows.

At their peak there were apporoximately 1100 carriages in service and had dwindled to around 360 by 1988.

In 1991, the decision was made to formally retire the trains by the end of 1993 due to safety concerns associated with the open doors, along with the introduction of a new timetable from January 12 1992 that was designed to speed up trains across the network. Only eight red rattler trains would be retained with the intent of phasing them out of service within a further year.

 

Source: Morris, L. 1991. "'Rattler' Trains Scrapped. The Daily Telegraph Mirror, September 6: 3.

 

Source: Skelsey, M. 1991. "Red rattlers trundle off into history:. The Daily Telegraph Mirror, September 6: 10-11

The Sydney Electric Train Society did not receive the news well, especially as they were destined to be scrapped.

   

Source: Dennis, A. 1991. "The death rattle of the red ones". The Sydney Morning Herald, November 5: 3.

On January 10, 1992 red rattler trains crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the final time ahead of their retirement. For four minutes at 10:40, four eight car trains stopped on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to pay tribute to their service. 

 

Source: Olsen, S. 1992. "End of line for rattlers". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 10: 9. 

  

Source: Anon. 1992. "The Bridge carries its last red rattler". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 11:3. 

The retirement of the red rattlers led to a decrease in the number of carriages operating on the Sydney rail network, but the delivery of Tangara carriages meant by the end of 1993, the remaining eight trains in operation could be retired. The final services ran on November 20, 1993 after sixty seven years of service. 

  

Source. Gibson, A. 1993. "What a rattling farewell!" The Sunday Telegraph, November 21: 4. 

While the overwhelming majority of red rattlers were scrapped, several carriages have been preserved for historical use which has also been supported by Sydney Trains and the NSW Government. Special trips featuring the trains are organised, allowing people to either relive or experience riding a red rattler for the first time. 

Finally a "bonus" - news reports from January 10 1992 when the red rattlers gathered on the Sydney Harbour for the final time.

ABC News

Seven Nightly News

National Nine News

Ten Eyewitness News

Property Advert of the Week: Glenmore Park Land Release (1992)

I have posted a few advertisements for land releases around Glenmore Park from the early 1990's. Below is one from 1992.

 

Source: Anon. 1992. "Glenmore Park New Land Release" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 18:51.

MILESTONE: The AMP Building turns 60 (1962)

This year marks sixty years since Sydney's first major skyscraper - The AMP Building at Circular Quay was offically opened.

Completed in 1962, the building located in Alfred Street at Circular rises 26 levels or 117 metres tall. It is regarded as the first major skyscraper to be built in Sydney following the abolition of the 46 metre or 150 feet height limit for city buildings in 1957.

Plans were unveiled in 1958. Click here to view an entry relating to the unveiling of plans. The building was designed by Peddle Thorp & Walker with construction overseen by Concrete Constructions Pty. Ltd. The following year, the Thomas Mort Woolstore which had occupied the site had demolished

It was officially opened on February 23 1962, by Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies.

Taken by the Author (2019).

Facts of interest at the time of opening

• Construction took 21 months (excluding around three months due to industrial action and weather delays).
• First building in the world to use sea water as part of its heating and cooling systems.
• Seventh head office for the company.
• Staff Cafeteria was provided on Level 5 with seating for up to 500 people.
• Around 3000 workers worked in the building.
• Intended to cater for the demand by AMP for office space over fifty years in central Sydney.

Source: Anon. 1962. "Amenties For Big Staff". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 26: 9 (AMP Building Supplement).

Observation Deck

Source: Anon. 1962. "Observation Deck For Tourists". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 26: 10 (AMP Building Supplement).

At the time of opening, Level 26 featured an observation deck that was open to the public. Years later it was converted into the boardroom for the AMP Board.

Below are a few photos that I took during Sydney Open in 2004 when it was opened to ticketholders.

 

AMP Building & Quay Quarter Development

The AMP Building will undergo restoration and revitalisation works this year and will continue through to 2024.

Property Advert of the Week: Hillsdale Apartments for Sale (1967)

Below is a 1967 newspaper advertisement for home units in Hillsdale. Buyers were expected to meet the builders in Flint Street. Apartments were on sale from £4350 pounds or $8700. This would be equivalent to around $116 500 in today's money according to the RBA Inflation Calculator.

 

Source: Anon. 1967. "Eastern Suburbs Home Units" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 28: 20.

Note: Decimal Currency was introduced on 14 February 1966, however advertisements could publish prices in pounds, pence and shillings for two years following its introduction to help consumers adapt to the changeover.

2003: NSW Police HQ is marched off to Parramatta

Above: Curtis Cheng Centre (NSW Police Headquarters) in 2007. Photograph taken by the Author. 

NSW Police traditionally had its headquarters in central Sydney. In 2001, the NSW Government announced that the NSW Police Headquarters would relocate to Parramatta from their existing location in the Avery Building in College Street.

This reflected the policy of the NSW Government to decentralise public servants from the Sydney CBD.  

Source: Jamal, N. 2001. "Officers given their marching orders - they're heading west to Parramatta". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 19: 7. 

It was reported at the time that it was the biggest shift in workers in fifteen years involving around 1350 workers.

As reported in The Sydney Morning Herald  in 2001, the following reasons shaped the decision

• Decentralisation of public servants to suburban and regional centres.
• Reduce office leasing costs
• Develop local economies

Relocation to Parramatta was in 2003 following completion of the building.

In 2016, the building was renamed the Curtis Cheng Centre to honour the service of Police Accountant Curtis Cheng, who was shot dead in the foyer in September 2015 by Farhad Jabar in an act of terrorism.

The former Avery Building was converted into an apartment complex with residents moving into the tower in 2011. It is known as The Residence Hyde Park. 

Above: The Residences, Hyde Park. Photo taken by the Author (2012). 

Property Advert of the Week: The Darlington, Pyrmont (1995)

Source: Meriton Premier Apartments. 1995. "The Darlington" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 24: 87.

Above is a newspaper advertisement from 1995 promoting apartments for sale in The Darlington at Pyrmont which was built by Meriton Apartments. 

The prices were to mark its opening with "pre-completion" prices. Studio apartments started from $130 000.

Other apartments on sale included:

• 1 bedroom - From $197 000
• 2 bedrooms - From $228 000
• 3 bedrooms - From $278 000

The address of The Darlington which was not advertised in the advertisement is 152-164 Bulwara Road, Pyrmont.

1988: The Sydney Football Stadium is offically opened

It has been hoped that the rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium will open its doors to the sporting public during this year.

Our first regular entry for 2022 goes back to the previous Sydney Football Stadium and its first event, held on January 24, 1988. This was the same week that the nation held its Bicentennial celebrations. It was not a sporting event, but a concert headlined by American singer John Denver. The stadium was officially opened by NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth as part of the festivities. 

Tickets ranged from $15 to $25 dollars. 17 000 attended the concert which also included Air Supply, Eurogliders, Dragon and Sharon O'Neill backed by Tommy Tycho and The Sydney International Orchestra. This was down from the projected 30 000 that were expected to.

There was also criticism of the sound system along with an echo that could be heard by attendees.

John Denver also presented a special song that he wrote to mark the Bicentennary but also one for his girlfriend - Cassie Delaney who was also Australian. 

Source: Cameron, M. 1988. "'This is for you, my Aussie girl'". The Daily Mirror, January 25: page unknown.

The first sporting event was on March 4 1988, when Eastern Suburbs played St George in the first game of the 1988 NSWRL season. Click Here to view an entry that I wrote in 2015. 

Property Advert of the Week: Pacific Waters Estate, Bundeena (1963)

This is the first our "Property Advert of the Week" entries for 2022. Below is a 1963 newspaper advertisement for a land release at Bundeena in the Sutherland Shire. The estate appears to covers the streets located in the south-eastern corner of the township bounded by Bournemouth and Scarborough Streets. Only a ten pound deposit landed you a block of land. 

 

Source: C. R. Degotardi (Sales) Pty. Ltd. "Bundeena (near Cronulla) Land Sale" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, November 9: 20.