Regional Rail

The NSW Government is replacing the ageing NSW regional rail fleet of XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains, which includes trains that are up to 36 years old.

A new train maintenance facility will be built in Dubbo to stimulate the regional economy and help create sustainable job opportunities and skills.

The new trains will improve safety, accessibility, amenities and reliability for customers who travel from Sydney to many regional centres in NSW, as well as Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Key benefits

Reversible seating, spacious buffet cars and overhead luggage storage
Accessible toilets on every train, wider doors, single-deck carriages, priority seating and accessible help points
Automatic selective door opening for stations with short platforms and modern CCTV equipment
Electronic device charging points, tray tables suitable for laptops and spacious seat pockets.
Operation in bi-mode configuration, providing a more environmentally-friendly rail service. For more information about bi-mode technology, please read the fact sheet (PDF, 190.44 KB).

Project status

The NSW Government awarded the contract to deliver the Regional Rail Fleet Project to Momentum Trains in February this year.

Momentum Trains is an international consortium comprising CAF, UGL Rail Services, Pacific Partnerships, CAF Investment Projects and DIF Infrastructure V Coöperatief.

The contract includes project financing, designing, building and maintaining the new regional rail fleet as well as designing, building, maintaining and operating the new purpose-built fleet maintenance facility in Dubbo.

Planning and design work for the maintenance facility is underway. As part of this work, site survey and geotechnical investigations are being carried out ahead of construction which is expected to commence in 2020.

Planning and detailed design work has also commenced for the new fleet of 29 new trains, including 117 new carriages forming 10 regional intercity, 9 short regional and 10 long regional trains.

The first new trains are expected to be running from 2023, with the full fleet coming into service progressively.

NSW TrainLink will continue to operate regional rail and coach services.

Bi-Mode technology

For more information about bi-mode technology, please read the fact sheet (PDF, 190.44 KB).

Artist’s impressions of the new trains

Please note the following video and images are representative of the preliminary design and may be subject to change during detailed design activities.