NSW TrainLink Regional Train Project

The NSW TrainLink Regional Train Project is an initiative of Transport for NSW to procure new bi-mode CAF Civity trains to replace NSW TrainLink's Endeavour, Xplorer and XPT fleets.

New Regional Trains
An artist's impression of the new regional rail fleet
ManufacturerCAF
Built atBeasain, Spain
Family nameCivity
Replaced
Entered service2023 (scheduled)
Number under constructionTotal delivery of 117 carriages (19 3-car sets and 10 6-car sets)
Operator(s)NSW TrainLink
Depot(s)Mindyarra Maintenance Centre
Specifications
Traction motorsTSA TME 46-23-4 210 kW (280 hp)[1]
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary (electrified sections only)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

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).[2][3] 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.[4][5][6]

In August 2017, the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets.[7] In November 2017, three consortia, led by Bombardier, CAF and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains.[8] In May 2018, the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process.[9]

A contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships.[10] The order will comprise 117 bi-mode Civity carriages which will make up a total of 29 trains:[11][12]

  • 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 new Mindyarra Maintenance Centre to be built in Dubbo.[13][14]

As of 18 January 2023 there was no delivery date on the Project website.[15] An article in The Sydney Morning Herald on 26 December 2022 claimed that there was a 35-month delay in the project because the state transport agency had demanded design changes to the carriages.[16] That pushed the delivery date out to late 2026 or 2027.

References
  1. "CAF Civity DEMU for New South Wales". Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. $1 billion overhaul to cut train travel times for XPT The Border Mail 16 March 2015
  3. Coalition promises new trains will replace XPT The Daily Examiner 17 March 2015
  4. New country train program accelerated Transport for New South Wales 28 October 2016
  5. New South Wales brings forward XPT replacement International Railway Journal 28 October 2016
  6. NSW fleet replacement accelerated Railway Gazette International 31 October 2016
  7. NSW regional train fleet to be replaced Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017
  8. "Another Milestone for Regional Rail Project". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Transport for NSW. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  9. "Regional Rail Project Overview" (PDF). www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  10. "CAF to replace New South Wales regional train fleet". Railway Gazette International. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019.
  11. "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  12. "Regional Rail Project - Regional Rail fleet: Frequently asked questions July 2021" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Retrieved 12 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. NSW Region train fleet on track Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017
  14. NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
  15. "Regional Rail". 31 May 2017.
  16. Rabe, Tom; O'Sullivan, Matt (26 December 2022). "Dispute over design changes to new train fleet in deadlock". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
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