Right, looky here.

For a SYD-BHS-SYD daytrip, you have two options. Option number one Dubbo XPT. Departs Sydney Central 0710, arrives Bathurst 1043; departs Bathurst 1707, arrives Sydney Central 2049. The timing is perfect for a daytrip, giving you six hours and a bit of time in Bathurst; you travel in reasonable comfort.

If you're too much of a cheapskate to cough up for that, here's option number two you can have a cup of concrete and take the CityRail service. This consists of an electric interurban to Lithgow, connecting to a coach onwards to Bathurst. There are several such services daily, so take your pick.

If you really, really want a CityRail day train, start a campaign for it and put your heart into it. You never know, you might see it made reality one day. Right now, you have two options convenience and comfort, or cheapness. Take your pick.

Cough up, harden up or stand up. Your choice.

Watson stop with the 3 letter stuff ok not everyone knows where you mean and its lazy.

Watson stop with the 3 letter stuff ok not everyone knows where you mean and its lazy.

Watson stop with the 3 letter stuff ok not everyone knows where you mean and its lazy.

Watson stop with the 3 letter stuff ok not everyone knows where you mean and its lazy.

Agreed, those that don't have the rail knowledge won't know what your talking about. The comments get read by newbies as well as those more informed of the industry remember

For a SYD-BHS-SYD daytrip, you have two options. Option number one: Dubbo XPT. Departs Sydney Central 0710, arrives Bathurst 1043; departs Bathurst 1707, arrives Sydney Central 2049. The timing is perfect for a daytrip, giving you six hours and a bit of time in Bathurst; you travel in reasonable comfort.

For a daytrip, you have two options. Option number one: Dubbo XPT. Departs Sydney Central 0710, arrives Bathurst 1043; departs Bathurst 1707, arrives Sydney Central 2049. The timing is perfect for a daytrip, giving you six hours and a bit of time in Bathurst; you travel in reasonable comfort.

Bumping an old thread,

Here we are around 14 months on since the beginning of the service, does anyone have any idea how the patronage levels of the Bathurst Bullet have been going now days?

It is more curiosity than anything else, but I was wondering if it has kept up in enough numbers to ensure the service is sustainable (hopefully long) into the future?

Thanks for any info.

I'm surprised no move has been made to try and extend it to Orange, given such a move has been the subject of much talk.

Why would you? Orange is an extra 1:15 away, it would make the arrival much later and the departure at OMG o'clock, on rolling stock totally unsuited for a five hour journey, as well as creating issues with regard to crewing.

The only way it could work is to have a later arrival into and earlier departure from Sydney, which would make the service much less useful due to the shorter day

Dave

There was an item in the news recently re a group of Orange people agitating for the extension. Yes it is a long way time wise to Orange given the winding track (and bank) between Tumulla and Blayney. Crew-wise and stabling we have to remember that the Bullet stays overnight at Lithgow and there is apparently a suitable siding at Orange for stabling. So much of a muchness there.

Why would you? Orange is an extra 1:15 away, it would make the arrival much later and the departure at OMG o'clock, on rolling stock totally unsuited for a five hour journey, as well as creating issues with regard to crewing.

The only way it could work is to have a later arrival into and earlier departure from Sydney, which would make the service much less useful due to the shorter day

Dave

It is mainly a crewing issue. Crews can get to Lithgow but not Orange and there are no local crews at Orange. May also need a back up set and there are none available.

Patronage is good which forced a BOM or ATOM  to be installed at Bathurst to avoid queues for tickets. The car park is another matter as previously there was adaquate parking until a fair bit of it was closed due to some contamination issue with the soil. Maybe dreaded asbestos. Must going to remediate it.

Ah, that's brilliant. The idea I heard was for shuttles to Lithgow, so it could run more services.

I'm surprised at the lack of hot air, more than the non-action.

Am I correct in thinking there are no Endeavour sets currently available? There is only 1 stand-by set at Eveleigh IIRC. The idea of Orange-Lithow is ok as it would get patronage but overcoming the problems (crewing, rollingstock etc) is what will stop the idea for a long time.

Am I correct in thinking there are no Endeavour sets currently available? There is only 1 stand-by set at Eveleigh IIRC. The idea of Orange-Lithow is ok as it would get patronage but overcoming the problems (crewing, rollingstock etc) is what will stop the idea for a long time.

Still only takes one train. It's only crewing.

What's Plan B if an Endeavour screws up elsewhere?

Still only takes one train. It's only crewing.

Does anyone have an update on the patronage and how the service is going?

I've noticed in the past few weeks it has been cancelled due to mechanical issues.