Hot Sydney trains see commuters roasted in temperatures higher than 50 degrees

SYDNEY commuters forced to endure hellish conditions on ancient trains where temperatures can soar past 50C because there is no airconditioning.

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SYDNEY commuters are being forced to endure hellish conditions on ancient trains where temperatures can soar past 50C because there is no airconditioning.

An investigation by The Daily Telegraph has revealed how shocking conditions can get inside these 50-year-old trains, which were meant to be off our tracks five years ago.

Using a thermal imaging camera, we recorded the sweltering conditions on board several trains running from Western Sydney and Central Station out to Campbelltown.

As the mercury soared to 41C at Liverpool on Monday, passengers in carriages on the 3.20pm Schofields to Campbelltown train were enduring temperatures of 50C.

The temperature on this 5.57pm train from Glenfield to Campbelltown was as high as 42.9 degrees. Picture: Jonathan Ng

On the 4.27pm from Central to Campbelltown passengers suffered through 51C degrees as the train pulled into Leumeah station.

Michaela Field catches the train every weekday from Campbelltown to Westmead. The 19-year-old said you never knew when it was going to be your turn to suffer. “It is sickening being on these trains in this heat,” she said.

Chantelle Scott, 26, from Campbelltown on her commute home from Central. The temperature on her train was as high as 46 degrees. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It’s getting hotter on Sydney’s ancient trains.

“You walk to the station in 30-40C temperatures and you are already sweaty and hot and you think you are going to get some relief on the train ... then we get served up one with no air conditioning and you have to deal with it all the way to work.”

Mother-of-two Donna Davies from Riverwood said her “heart sank” when she saw the old silver trains coming down the line. “In weather conditions like these it is unbearable, especially when I have the kids with me,” she said.

SYDNEY commuters are being forced to endure hellish conditions on ancient trains where temperatures can soar past 50C.

Anna Tham from Campbelltown trying to stay cool on her train to Cabramatta. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Sydney Trains website states the 24 S-Set trains — made up of eight cars each — only operate on the short Olympic Park sprint line. But a Sydney Trains spokeswoman confirmed the trains were being used on the T2 Airport and Inner West Line and T3 Bankstown Lines with the rail fleet in the final stages of becoming 100 per cent air-conditioned. “About 97 per cent of our fleet is air conditioned.”

Yet Heather Lage, who has been catching the train from Campbelltown station for 20 years, claimed she has caught a non-airconditioned train every day either to or from work.

The spokeswoman said 24 new Waratah trains were scheduled to hit the tracks in late 2018 as part of a $1.5 billion upgrade.