When the suburban network of Sydney was being electrified, the NSWGR ordered a total of 50 motor cars from the Leeds Forge Company in England. They were delivered without electric equipment and hauled by steam locomotives for the first year until the first electric line was opened and the electric equipment was installed into the cars. 302 more power cars, 248 trailers and three parcel vans were built in Australia. The first vehicles were withdrawn in the seventies. Due to the worse driving comfort compared to more modern units, they were soon called “red rattlers”. The last ones were withdrawn in 1992. Some were preserved, with one four-car set being held in working order by Transport Heritage NSW.
