These three large reproductions on paper of hand renderings of the upper deck, lower deck and end saloon preliminary concepts were designed by Transport Design International (TDI) / Design Resource Australia for Cityrail in 1995-1997. They were developed by TDI with the Cityrail government architect when TDI was invited by State Rail to develop a creative vision for the new fourth generation suburban train. The project to develop a new train was first announced in 1995. These drawings represent the early conceptual development process for the new train prior to a tender being announced in July 1997.

TDI/Design Resource has worked with the NSW government on a number of transport projects, including projects for the refurbishment of the XPT and Tangara trains. Clyde Engineering (later known as EDI Rail) engaged TDI to further develop the interior and exterior design and won the tender in 1998 to design and construct the new train. The resulting 'Millennium' train was went into service in 2002 and was the most technologically advanced train to be seen in Australia. However the train became a significant political issue for the NSW government after delays in delivery of the new trains were followed by them being removed from service after less than a year due to technical difficulties that impacted on the entire rail network. After three months out of service the new trains were returned and an action plan implemented to improve the operation of the trains and improve crew training. The first stage of the Millennium train project was completed in December 2003 when the 20th four-car set of carriages was delivered to the NSW Government.

The three large reproductions on paper of hand renderings of the upper deck, lower deck and end saloon preliminary concepts were designed by Transport Design International (TDI) / Design Resource Australia for Cityrail, 1995-1997. These were developed by TDI with the Cityrail government architect when TDI was invited to develop a creative vision for the new train.

Design Resource has worked with the NSW government on a number of transport projects, including projects for the refurbishment of the XPT and Tangara trains. The group collaborated with EDI Rail (previously known as Clyde Engineering), over a 2 ½ year period to design the interior and exterior of the 'Millennium' train.

A design scale model and a computer animation were part of the bid with the manufacturer to win the project in 1998. A full-size model was also constructed to test the design in 1999. Designers in Sydney worked with their UK counterparts to complete the design and documentation for the project.

These drawings were lent to the Museum for research purposes and reproduction for the exhibition and website 'Sydney designers unplugged: people, process, product' in 2005.

About one third of the work done by Design Resource is in the area of transport design, working with its partner company in the UK under the name Transport Design International (TDI). Their projects include interior and exterior styling of passenger trains, light rail and pleasure craft for Australia, the UK and Asia. TDI was formed in 1988 as a joint venture between Design Resource and Martin Pemberton in Warwick, UK.

Design Resource has worked with the NSW government on a number of transport projects, including projects for the refurbishment of the XPT and Tangara trains. The group collaborated with EDI Rail (previously known as Clyde Engineering), over a 2 ½ year period to design the interior and exterior of the fourth generation 'Millennium' train.

The 'Millennium' train project, the fourth generation of double deck electric passenger trains built for the NSW rail network, was first announced in 1995. The project began in July 1997 when the state government called for tenders. The call for tenders closed in September 1997 and the contract for the design, construction and maintenence of a new 'Millennium' train was let to Clyde Engineering (later known as EDI Rail) in October 1998. The initial order was for 81 carriages with two options each for a further 60 carriages. During 1999-2000 the design of the train progressed and a full scale mock up of half a carriage was constructed and tested with user groups in 1999. During 2000-2001 the design of the cars was largely completed and manufacturing commenced at EDI workshops at Cardiff near Newcastle, NSW. The first Millennium train went into revenue service on 1 July 2002. On 10 April 2003, the Coordinator General of Rail withdrew the fleet of four, eight-carriage trains from service following identification of a number of technical difficulties that were impacting on the reliability of the CityRail network. The technical issues were:
- signalling problems, whereby a signal would remain locked on red after a train had passed
- traction system tripouts, caused by software problems on the train
- doors which would not close at the station, thereby preventing train movement out of the station
- communication system, where software problems caused the loss of digitised voice and public address announcements
- air conditioning, where wiring and software problems were identified

On 2 June 2003, StateRail announced the progressive return of the Millennium train to revenue service to enable ongoing assessment of their performance. By 30 June 2003, 56 of the 81 cars in stage one had been accepted from the manufacturer EDI Rail. Since the reintroduction of the Millennium train, further technical issues were identified, requiring a comprehensive action plan to be implemented by RailCorp and EDI.
(information sourced from RailCorp annual reports 1999-2003 and CityRail website)

The first stage of the Millennium train project was completed in December 2003 when the 20th four-car set of carriages was delivered to the NSW Government.

Drawings (3), concept sketches and renderings for the 4th generation 'Millennium' train, paper, made by TDI (Transport Design International) and Design Resource Australia, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia, 1995-1997

Three large reproductions on paper of hand renderings of the upper deck, lower deck and end saloon preliminary concepts for the fourth generation train (4GT).

Made: 1995 - 1997

2006/52/7

1995 - 1997