Historic Electric Traction is a non profit company established in NSW in 1997 to assist Sydney Trains in preserving a number of vintage electric trains in working order. The company is independent of Sydney Trains and operates as a under a custodial arrangement. Through the use of volunteer labour generously supplied by railway enthusiasts, HET effectively provides a "Subsidised" contracting service to enable Sydney Trains to retain the trains in trafficable order, instead of just "static exhibits".