The blue and white colour scheme first appeared on Sydney's trains in 1972, when the Public Transport Commission of New South Wales was formed. During the 1980s, this scheme was replaced by an Indian red livery which was easier to keep clean (and no doubt, quicker and easier to repaint, with cars out of service for a shorter time as a single colour was used). The blue and white era has now returned with the repaint of preserved car C3444 (a modified Clyde carriage built in 1937). C3444 is in very poor condition and will only be used as a static exhibit. There are plans to repaint another car at a later date for use on tours.

In May 2000, C3444 looked a little worse for wear. Graffiti covered most of the car.

By early September 2000, C3444 had been sanded back and the white "go faster" stripe was painted down each side.

Also in early September 2000, a sample container of blue paint was obtained. Unfortunately this was not the right shade of blue.

On 24 September 2000, we began painting C3444 in the correct shade of blue. By the end of the day, the whole car was repainted.

At the end of 2000, numbering and a logo were applied to C3444. The logo transfer was reproduced from a slide to ensure its authenticity. This photo was taken on 14 January 2001

C3444 is owned by State Rail. For more information on the restoration of C3444 and State Rail's other preserved cars, visit the HET website. The Sydney Electric Train Society is also planning to repaint one of their carriages in blue and white. Hopefully it won't be too long before it is available for tours.