Tangara is an aboriginal word meaning to go.

Tangara in NSW is also the name of a suburban electric train used on the Sydney rail network. Made by United Goninan near Newcastle NSW. Introduced in 1988.

Train travel is the safe, fast way to get around Sydney.

Initially the train experienced a few hiccups. Often these were passenger or staff caused incidents, not understanding the new technology.

This was at a time when people were also having problems understanding how to program their VCR. Today the Tangara train is fully understood and it gives very little trouble. At home people also today understand how to record TV but no longer do they use a VCR. Its now done using a digital set top box with HD. Now they get to see lots of TV shows that were recorded while they were away.

About 450 Tangara carriages were made. A few were lost due to accidents. If ever there was a train that did not like a derailment this was the one. These trains are not happy when not on two rails. They roll over in a derailment other than very slow speed incidents.

Maybe modern man could therefor be credited with giving the word Tangara a new meaning. To ...

EDI Rail built the Millennium Train for use in the Sydney rail network. Sydney was promised something special and special it was.

If the people of Sydney in 1988 thought the Tangara was the ultimate in train technology they were in for a pleasant surprise when the Millennium Train arrived. It had all the bells and whistles.

Unfortunately the people running the show, and directly one MP Michael Costa who was the transport minister of the day, they all got cold feet after a few major delays. Like the Tangara in 1988, in 2003 and beyond this was a very complex train that required expert gentle hands.

With thousands of staff to be trained it was a tall order to expect every member of staff would have it down perfect from day one. Yet at the time the minister was told. We will make it work.

With no improvements the minister said, dumb this train down.

A question that demands an honest answer is.
Why did EDI not painted Mr Costas picture on the front of the train?

Back to the serious business. EDI must have made it clear that dummying down is stepping backwards. Not to be seen as getting it wrong MP Costa showed them about stepping backwards. He cancelled the contract.

MP Costa had all Millennium trains moved to a less critical south lines where delays dont make the daily news papers.

If the...