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.

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