Sydney electric parcel van trains - "Red Rattlers" - 1992

Scenes recorded in 1992 of the few remaining Sydney electric parcel vans which were still in operation. By this time they were only being used for sporadic trips around the metropolitan area collecting rubbish.

[@margaretgood580]

I remember these mail trains when I was a tot, fond memories.. old is GOLD 💛

[@djmechwarrior]

There is a parcel van being restored soon for inclusion on tours. Very excited.

[@greghayes9118]

Do you have details on that?

[@johnmaddox4403]

Nice footage!! On richmond line almost looks like a deb dmu set from a distance! Saw these on terminating platform on old chatswood station. Jm

[@OllieWasHere]

Amazing video showcasing the parcel van back then

[@robertmainerd7145]

Oh, I remember in their heyday the "Fast Electric Parcel Van" would seem to pop up everywhere..

[@tomcarlos7929]

Thanks for posting such a historic video. It is fantastic! This is how I remember the parcel vans. I didn't realise that they weren't delivering parcels at the time. Schofields looks very different today with the aerodrome gone and houses put up. And Hornsby has only four platforms.

[@richardsmith8654]

Great video. I would have loved a ride in a parcel van. It seemed great fun to toodle around the network like that. I also liked the old single deck driving trailers being used on 2 car sets on the outer reaches of the network in the early seventies.

[@ozfoxaroo]

Thanks for sharing this. It's the first footage I've seen with the parcel van's sound.

[@brucebird133]

Yep... unique sound... that wirrring... remember it at Cronulla station in the day

[@garydundon9447]

I remember the old pay bus when I was working on the railways we were up grading Heathcote station in nsw!!

[@markf3229]

I remember well the parcel office at StMarys railway station in the 60s A very old building which has been retained thnakfully during the upgrading of the rail line link to the airport at Badgerys Creek.
Got off there a couple of times when i 'forgot' to buy a ticket

[@greghayes9118]

That’s how I remember Sydney in the 70s…. The good old days.

[@samuelanketell8190]

That's a little weapon it takes me back to simpler times when air-conditioning was for sooks 🤣🤣👌

[@holboroman]

But these vans had "always on" air con.

[@MarkHenstridge]

Damn bloody progress

[@paulsz6194]

The courier companies put those trains out of business!

[@calcutt4]

@@paulsz6194 I'd rather have my parcels delivered by rail, one time a courier deliverer a package to my house in Melbourne, then instead of putting it in the mailbox they sent it to Sydney! Not to mention how delivery prices are rising due to petrol prices

[@RangaTurk]

0:35 Hornsby station master's house now demolished.

[@G516R700]

great video

[@rochymatt]

6:46 "TRACKFAST" together with State Rail logo?

[@ozloon2000]

They were picking up train seats thrown out by vandals i remember near werrington the equipment officer through in a seat the Guard threw it out again the officer said whats up the Guard said Get the red belly black snake out first please

[@BronsonTheCat]

Great to see the Keith Flint err I meant Jason Robert’s at the 2:00 mark!