Train in New South Wales, Australia
The R sets[3] are a class of bi-mode multiple units being built by as part of the Regional Rail Project to replace NSW TrainLink's Endeavour, Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services.
History
In the lead up to the 2015 state election, the Baird Government committed itself, if re-elected, to replacing the XPT fleet (19 power cars and 60 carriages).[4][5] Having been returned to office, in October 2016, the government announced it was also considering replacing the Xplorer (23 carriages) and Endeavour (28 carriages) diesel multiple unit fleets.[6][7][8]
In August 2017, the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets.[9] In November 2017, three consortia, led by Bombardier, CAF and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains.[10] In May 2018, the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process.[11]
A contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships.[12] The order will comprise 117 bi-mode Civity carriages which will make up a total of 29 trains:[13][14]
- 10 long (6-car) trainsets for use on long-distance Regional services (replacing the XPT fleet)
- 9 short (3-car) short-distance Regional trainsets (replacing the Xplorer fleet)
- 10 short (3-car) Intercity sets (replacing the Endeavour fleet)
All trains will be maintained at the purpose built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo.[15][16]
The first complete 6-car unit arrived at Port Kembla on 14 February 2024 and was taken by road to Dubbo.[17][18]
References
- ^ "CAF Civity DEMU for New South Wales". Traktionssysteme Austria. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Civity regional trains for Transport For NSW". CAF. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Updated Train Numbering – Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ $1 billion overhaul to cut train travel times for XPT Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 16 March 2015
- ^ Coalition promises new trains will replace XPT Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Daily Examiner 17 March 2015
- ^ New country train program accelerated Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 28 October 2016
- ^ New South Wales brings forward XPT replacement Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 28 October 2016
- ^ NSW fleet replacement accelerated Archived 24 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 31 October 2016
- ^ NSW regional train fleet to be replaced Archived 19 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017
- ^ "Another Milestone for Regional Rail Project". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Transport for NSW. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ "Regional Rail Project Overview" (PDF). www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- ^ "CAF to replace New South Wales regional train fleet". Railway Gazette International. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Regional Rail Project - Regional Rail fleet: Frequently asked questions July 2021" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ NSW Region train fleet on track Archived 15 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017
- ^ NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
- ^ Regional Rail Transport for NSW
- ^ Transport for NSW (23 February 2024). "Regional Rail". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 March 2024.