To provide rolling stock for the electrification of Sydney's suburban rail network, steel carriages were ordered.

[1][2] The initial 50 power cars were built in England by Leeds Forge Company and shipped to Australia in knocked-down condition.

Initially numbered 2213-2262, they entered service being inserted into sets with Bradfield carriages for haulage by steam locomotives until fitted with Metropolitan-Vickers electrical equipment and motors in 1926.

[3][7][8][9][10][11] As built, the standard cars were painted in Tuscan red and russet with yellow pin striping.

[12] From 1973, the livery became Public Transport Commission blue and white, before that was superseded by Indian red in 1976.

Overhauls of the stock continued up until 1988, with some receiving sliding aluminium Beclawat windows to alleviate rust problems.

[13][14] One of the carriages of set F1, power car C3426, led the first electric train to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge.