FAREWELL THE END OF THE FLUTED ERA
5 October 2026
After decades on the Sydney network, the K sets are reaching the end of the line.
On Monday 5 October, join one of two final tours from Central Station — a short morning run to Penrith (approx. 2.5 hours), or a long afternoon journey via Epping, Blacktown and Gordon (approx. 4 hours). A rare chance to be part of their send-off.
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Choose a short morning run to Penrith, or settle in for a longer afternoon tour across the suburban network.
Short Tour: Central to Penrith and return
Ideal if you want to be part of the farewell while still leaving plenty of time at the 2026 Transport Heritage Expo.
Departing Central at 9.10am, travel west through Parramatta and Blacktown to Penrith, returning to Central at approximately 11.34am.
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours
Long Tour: Central to Epping, Blacktown, Gordon and return
The full farewell experience, covering some of Sydney's most familiar suburban railway territory.
Departing Sydney Terminal at 1.05pm, the tour travels via Strathfield and Epping before continuing through the western suburbs to Blacktown. From there it returns through Central, then heads across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and north to Gordon, arriving back at Central at approximately 5.13pm.
Duration: approximately 4 hours
All passengers will receive a commemorative ticket to celebrate being part of the final journey.
Event details
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About
Silver double decker electric train
Built by A. Goninan & Co at Broadmeadow, the K sets entered service on 15 October 1981 under the State Rail Authority, becoming Sydney's first air-conditioned suburban trains.
Forty four-car sets – 160 carriages in total – were delivered between 1981 and 1985, sharing much of their construction with the earlier S sets.
Riding on the same double-deck platform pioneered by the Sputnik and Tulloch cars, the K sets carried generations of Sydney commuters across the suburban network for over four decades. Over the course of their life, the K sets operated across every line in the Sydney Metropolitan Network, as well as on services to Newcastle and Port Kembla.
By 2026, following the retirement of the V sets, the K sets had become the oldest stock still running in the suburban fleet – recognisable for their fluted stainless-steel exterior and open gangways, a design feature no other train in regular service still carries.
Progressive withdrawals began that year, with the fleet suspended from service in 2026. Following commemorative services on every line of the Sydney Trains Network through September and October, the final K Sets will be farewelled at the 2026 Transport Heritage Expo.
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