WHILE trains between Sydney and Grafton resume next week, a date has yet to be set for the introduction of the long-awaited XPT replacement fleet.
“A timeline for the new Regional Rail fleet’s entry into service on the North Coast line will be confirmed once the trains have progressed through testing and the relevant verifications on the NSW and Australian rail networks,” said NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Roger Weeks.
When complete, the Regional Rail fleet will consist of 29 new trains, featuring 117 carriages.
Ten long regional and nine short regional trains will replace the current XPT and XPLORER services, and 10 regional intercity trains will replace most of the current Endeavour fleet.
According to a Transport for NSW project update on 8 April, the new Regional Rail fleet is continuing to arrive, with ten trains now in Australia.
“All long regional trains are manufactured, half of the short regional trains are manufactured, and production is underway on every remaining carriage,” the update read.
“Testing is also progressing with two trains undertaking intensive testing across electrified and non-electrified networks, trialling the bi-mode capability using both overhead electric and diesel power – an Australian first for passenger rail.”
In the meantime, following a recent upgrade of the existing XPT fleet, Sydney to Grafton train services will resume from Tuesday, 28 April at 11.47am, while return services from Grafton to Sydney kick off 29 April with the 05.15am service.
“Until then Gloucester continues to be serviced by the two other North Coast XPT services – to and from Brisbane and Casino with four daily services arriving/departing at Gloucester,” said Mr Weeks.
By John WATTS
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