On 17/03/2024 20:13, 'Geoff Olsen' via TramsDownUnder wrote:
>

> Regarding the above when did the first Thyristor drive Zs go into service?

>

The Z3s were the first to be fitted with chopper controls and regenerative braking as standard with Z3 entering service on 25 Sep 1979.

A first day pic by David Featherstone is in the TDU archive at: https://tdu.to/i/69473

Prior to that Z1 No 5 was fitted with chopper control and regenerative braking for testing purposes in November 1977.

5 was returned to the normal Z1/Z2 control system in 1983 using equipment salvaged from 102 which was destroyed by fire.

Mal Rowe who saw '102' on some of the equipment on No 5 at Bylands.