Re: [NSW] Fast Electric Parcel Vans.

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

Ian (iansmith@optusnet.com.au) wrote:
> Fast Electric Parcel Vans.
> Are they still in use?

Sort of. There is one (two?) still at Hornsby as a shunting tug, but may
be out of use.

Not sure about C3653 Brake Test Car.

> Did they carry passengers?

No.

> Were they only in use in the Sydney Metro area?

Yes. They were built to the large loading gauge profile, so couldn't work
interurban electric lines.

Interurban parcels were carried in vans towed by U sets. By the time the V
sets came along, NSWPTC had lost the parcels contracts. Comeng designed a
double ended parcels van variant of a V set motor (DHM, I think). 

> Did they have any priority over passenger trains and /or work to time
> tables?

They worked to timetables.

See:
http://www.railpage.org.au/pix/electric/C3902.jpg (1928 photo)
http://www.railpage.org.au/pix/electric/C3901.jpg (1939 photo)

Melbourne also has parcels vans.

Cheers
David