NSW TrainLink XPT Set

The NSW TrainLink XPT (short for "eXpress Passenger Train", and also coded as X sets) is a diesel powered long-distance passenger train used by NSW TrainLink for its longer regional services.

These trains have been in service from 1982, and are based on the Intercity 125 High Speed Train (HST) from Britain. The HSTs, however, have side engine coolers instead of top ones.

History
The first two motor cars produced commenced testing with a luggage van in the August of 1981. With a top speed of over 160 km/h, on a demonstration run to Albury on 6 September 1981 the XPT set a new Australian rail speed record at 183 km/h. On a test run to Albury on 10 September 1992 the XPT travelled even faster, reaching speeds of up to 193 km/h between Table Top and Yerong Creek. However this record was broken by Queensland's QR Tilt Train in 1999, with a top speed of 210 km/h.

The first full XPT set (2 motors, 6 carriages) ran in January 1982, and the first revenue passenger service began on 8 April 1982 to Dubbo, replacing the diesel locomotive-hauled Central West Express. The next service was the Mid-North Coast XPT to Kempsey from May 1982. The Riverina XPT to Albury was introduced in August 1982, with services introduced to Canberra in August 1983 and Tenterfield or Armidale in 1984 (the Northern Tablelands XPT). The initial XPT livery was the red, orange and black, the 'Candy' livery of the then State Rail Authority of New South Wales.

Initially the XPT carried a fare surcharge compared to parallel locomotive-hauled services, however this was abolished in 1985. The XPT was a huge success, with high patronage forcing the government to order and deliver an additional 12 trailer cars to allow six sets of 7 passenger cars. This allowed the extension of the Mid-North Coast XPT from Kempsey to Grafton, becoming known as the Holiday Coast XPT from 1985.

In 1988, the Booz Allen Hamilton report issued by the newly elected Greiner State Government recommended the cessation of all-XPT country passenger services, citing their economic non-viability. This was considered politically unfeasible, so the report's alternative option of moving New South Wales to an all-XPT country passenger service was adopted, resulting in the progressive withdrawal of locomotive-hauled services. In 1989, CountryLink was founded as a business unit of State Rail to operate country passenger services, and from 1990, North Coast XPT services were extended to Brisbane and Murwillumbah, the Northern Tablelands XPT service was cut back to Tamworth, and the Canberra XPT was replaced by locomotive-hauled trains as no other CountryLink rollingstock as available.

Between 1990 and 1992, with the introduction of the CountryLink brand, the trains were repainted in a new blue, turquoise and white livery. In 1992, tenders were called for the provision of additional rollingstock and the refurbishment of existing passenger cars for the introduction of Southern XPT services to Melbourne. ABB in Dandenong, Victoria constructed four additional power cars, five new seating cars and eight new sleeper cars. The sleeper cars were introduced on services to Murwillumbah and Brisbane in 1993, the Tamworth XPT was withdrawn and replaced by an Xplorer set, and the daily Grafton XPT on the North Coast Line was introduced. Services to Melbourne began at the end of 1993, initially a single overnight service (replacing the Sydney/Melbourne Express) but later an additional daily service was introduced, by extending the XPT service from Albury, on the New South Wales/Victorian border through to Melbourne, an extra distance of approximately 320 kilometres, replacing the Intercapital Daylight Express (which had actually been withdrawn earlier in 1991). In 2004, with the cessation of services on the Murwillumbah branch line, the Murwillumbah XPT was cut back to Casino, becoming the Casino XPT.

In August 2019, some XPT power cars were temporarily withdrawn for maintenance due to crankpins coming loose which may cause a derailment if left unchecked. This caused the Sydney to Grafton service in both directions to be replaced by road coaches indefinitely. Starting on 29 September 2019, the Casino to Sydney service (in that direction only) was also temporarily replaced by coaches. Other services have not been affected.

The government is planning to replace the XPT's with the Next Generation Regional Fleet. These trains are expected to start running in the early 2020's and will improve safety, comfort and reliability. The Next Generation Regional Fleet will also feature bi-mode technology, meaning trains can run on overhead wires when running on electrified lines.

Derailment
On the 5th of May, 2010, an XPT collided with an excavator at Newbridge, near Bathurst, killing the operator.

Power cars XP2000 and XP2018 were involved in a derailment at Wallan, Victoria on 20 February 2020. The train was scheduled to enter a passing loop, however for unknown reasons, the train did not observe the 15km/h speed limit for entering the passing loop. The train was travelling in excess of 100km/h, unable to negotiate the turnout and derailed. The train's driver and pilot, both in the front cab, sustained fatal injuries. Due to extensive damage, XP2018 is expected to be withdrawn from service and likely to be scrapped.

Description


A XPT set consists of a number of different types of carriages: The usual configuration for Dubbo services is XP-XL-XBR-XF-XFH-XP and XP-XAM-XL-XBR-XF-XFH-XP for all other services. More passenger cars can be added to the middle in times of high demand (ie. school holidays).

There are four classes of travel available on XPTs: first, economy, DaySitter and sleeping berths. First and economy are both in a 2-2 layout, similar to airplane seats, with first having more pitch and recline than economy. DaySitter is a private room with 3 seats, while sleepers use the same rooms as DaySitter, with the seats folded down into beds. DaySitter/sleepers are not available on the Dubbo service.  

Services
The XPT fleet are currently used on the following regional services:


 * Sydney (Central) to Grafton, Casino or Brisbane (Roma St)
 * Sydney (Central) to Dubbo
 * Sydney (Central) to Melbourne (Southern Cross)