I think this mistake will be repeated with the CAF. I can't see all the promises made of added rail services kept, as there won't be enough rolling stock. As I have said previously, the state election is over, and Gladys's team has stopped playing pretend.
I think this mistake will be repeated with the CAF. I can't see all the promises made of added rail services kept, as there won't be enough rolling stock. As I have said previously, the state election is over, and Gladys's team has stopped playing pretend.Sims pretty much said it above, only the XPT stock is to be retired and from previous discussion if anything there are excess XPL's left over. So plenty of options to do what ever.
Is there any reason the existing XPT fleet cannot be repurposed? Couldn't it be used for specific corridors? Why scrap it if there are enough spares etc?The last cars for the XPT arrived at the same time as the XPL/END cars, ie '93 - '95, so the statement by NSWRcars is not entirely correct.
When they arrive and I suspect the present government would be looking for the first XPT replacement set (at least one) to be in service as early as possible in 2023 as they will be wanting them running in time for the next election which is to be held in 2023.Is there any reason the existing XPT fleet cannot be repurposed? Couldn't it be used for specific corridors? Why scrap it if there are enough spares etc?The last cars for the XPT arrived at the same time as the XPL/END cars, ie '93 - '95, so the statement by NSWRcars is not entirely correct.
When the new trains come 2023, the oldest XPT cars will be right on the magic 40-42 years that seems to be very common in the rail industry. The younger cars, not sure on exactly how many will make up a small part of fleet and not worth stuffing around with from the NSW govt point of view. Retire the entire fleet and put it up for auction and let some 3rd world nation run the train into the ground scavenging parts from one car to another.
The CAF sets appear to take over the rural network on a like for like basis, ie no extra services along with many of the commuter services by the END
So the govt will have
- 7 x 3 car XPL sets and 1 x 2 car XLP set, 8 sets or 23 cars in total now no longer required from the current combined XPT/XPL roster.
- What ever number of spare END cars that are displaced on a like for like basis.
Assuming all the spare END cars simply get redeployed back into commuter service and even the odd XPL car. The govt is likely to have up to ~15 spare XPL cars to enhance the NSW rural network in some way shape of form.
Any concerns about no extra services should be dismissed, the only issue being, who gets the older END cars?
The END and XPL fleet will be due for retirement by 2033, so their future in NSW is limited post CAF anyway.
It is worth noting that the only new services promised at this time are an additional Griffith service and and extra Bathurst Bullet. These services can be easily accommodated by the CAFs in 4 years time, but I don’t see how the contract can possibly cover any further services except between Bathurst & Dubbo.
Side note and slightly off-topic: The new Griffith service this year makes that XPL set fully utilised (BH & Griffith) and unavailable to cover for failures. I have no idea how the second Bathurst Bullet can be delivered. Anyone?
When they arrive and I suspect the present government would be looking for the first XPT replacement set (at least one) to be in service as early as possible in 2023 as they will be wanting them running in time for the next election which is to be held in 2023.I have a twisted vision of buying the whole XPT fleet (with my $50M lotto win) updating the sleepers, 1st class seaters, buffet car by replacing the seats with tables and converting one EC into a lounge/bar car and running 8 car + 2 locos tours across the country that will of course be heavily patronised.
What I envisage is a similar publicity run of one of the sets, in the same way as was done with the original XPT's and publicity runs, even through the City circle again. Once in place and crews have been trained for them, then they will likely be placed on a roster to travel to each destination they are intended for, especially the regions, more than likely on the regular trains currently operated by the XPT sets.
As for the old XPT sets, I would not be surprised if the power units that were ordered in the last batch when the Melbourne O/night services were along with enough of the newest and better carriages condition wise could well be kept as stand by's or for additional services, such as the Parkes Elvis trains, without interrupting the regular serviced trains.
The Xplorers don't need a spares hulk to scavenge since all parts are still actively available for the Endeavour / Xplorer fleet. So while the government is announcing the new regional fleet is replacing XPT, Xplorer and Endeavour there is still life in the Xplorer and Endeavour especially if they are not being used as much as they currently are. For instance post the CAF fleet the endeavours could do Lithgow to Bathurst locals or even orange to lithgow local services.My information (ie memory of previous Railpage posts) is the Bullet was formed by repairing, then putting the Everleigh spare's hulk back into the fleet rotation.
There are at least two operating during the week, weekends & Public Holidays only provide an hourly service to Telerah, not sure that the Singleton/Scone services operate outside of the weekdays.It is worth noting that the only new services promised at this time are an additional Griffith service and and extra Bathurst Bullet. These services can be easily accommodated by the CAFs in 4 years time, but I don’t see how the contract can possibly cover any further services except between Bathurst & Dubbo.
Side note and slightly off-topic: The new Griffith service this year makes that XPL set fully utilised (BH & Griffith) and unavailable to cover for failures. I have no idea how the second Bathurst Bullet can be delivered. Anyone?
There are 14 Endeavours, 6 required for the Highlands, 1 for the South Coast and 1 for the current bullet. 1 rotated out for regular heavy maintenance and another spares hulk (possibly). That's 10 (or 9) of 14 at Everleigh.
I was under the impression the Hunter had, and needed at least 4.
The timetable runs up to 7 concurrent trains: 4 running the peak load Telarah/Maitland to Wickham every 30 minutes, 2 to Scone and 1 to Dungog (go Dougie!). There are 7 hunter sets, which means 6 available for use.
I thought at least one, probably two of the services beyond Maitland were 4 car. Perhaps they once were. But they arn't now. Using @jxeeno's AnyTrip (https://anytrip.com.au/) it would seem there are now no 4 car trains on the Hunter line. Typically there is one, and only one, endeavour set operating in the Hunter at any one time. With 1 rotated out for maintenance - and possibly a spares hulk - at most 3 are needed in the Hunter, meaning there is probably a set available from there, perhaps even 2.
One of the extra benefits of Newcastle LRT I guess.
I'm not in total disagreement with you on this, no doubt in my mind that the first set to arrive will be used as publicity, remembering that the government will want at least one in service before the next election in order for the usual propaganda. Also, the drivers will be put in to the training schedules of ground tuition, and then used on each line in familiarising with them.When they arrive and I suspect the present government would be looking for the first XPT replacement set (at least one) to be in service as early as possible in 2023 as they will be wanting them running in time for the next election which is to be held in 2023.I have a twisted vision of buying the whole XPT fleet (with my $50M lotto win) updating the sleepers, 1st class seaters, buffet car by replacing the seats with tables and converting one EC into a lounge/bar car and running 8 car + 2 locos tours across the country that will of course be heavily patronised.
What I envisage is a similar publicity run of one of the sets, in the same way as was done with the original XPT's and publicity runs, even through the City circle again. Once in place and crews have been trained for them, then they will likely be placed on a roster to travel to each destination they are intended for, especially the regions, more than likely on the regular trains currently operated by the XPT sets.
As for the old XPT sets, I would not be surprised if the power units that were ordered in the last batch when the Melbourne O/night services were along with enough of the newest and better carriages condition wise could well be kept as stand by's or for additional services, such as the Parkes Elvis trains, without interrupting the regular serviced trains.
On the CAF roll out, I suspect there will just a tour of regional NSW, empty, maybe with local short return runs and a show and tell in Central. All over 2 weeks as part of the infrastructure clearance testing.
Then progressively the CAF's will be rolled out on each service on any revised timetable. There will be no overlap on any one service with the XPT as this creates a booking nightmare.
Having the new trains on the longest runs first up is the ideal situation. Once the Dubbo facility is opened, I would say the up Casino service would be used for a late Dubbo service for the maintenance schedule. Back the next morning ready for O/night Melbourne.The Dubbo facility will be required and open from Day 1, for final fitout and to commission the trains. It’s a major component of the contract. The first runs for the trains will surely be between Dubbo and Sydney.
Then if I recall the rest the XPT are two intertwined schedules of completing one service and going to a different route.
Armidale should not pose any problems as it was set up for XPT refuelling and stabled there overnight, in its own siding, same as with the Grafton service.Then if I recall the rest the XPT are two intertwined schedules of completing one service and going to a different route.
I reckon the first route will be the Bathurst Bullet - once they have 2 (short) CAFs commissioned.
Then Dubbo XPT when they commission the first long CAF - the "spare" short one can cover this route if need be.
Once they have 3 long CAFs in service, then they can start putting them into the East Coast XPT rotation.
I was thinking they would do Brisbane and Melbourne last due to the sleepers issue, but the way the XPT timetable works means once route's set cascades onto the next. So initially - once they have 3 in service - each service that currently has and XPT will get 1 of 7 per week as a CAF. Then 2 of 7 and so on.
This cycle will have to change somewhat for the NW to get a long CAF while Grafton gets a short one.
The NW will be interesting as Armidale is set to get a Long CAF, which will need to work with a Short CAF to Werris Creek for the Moree route.
Dunno. But that's whats in the contract apparently.The NW will be interesting as Armidale is set to get a Long CAF, which will need to work with a Short CAF to Werris Creek for the Moree route.
Why would the NW get a long train for when that service is designed to split at werris creek. and so it will be made up of 2 x 3 car sets most likely.
This cycle will have to change somewhat for the NW to get a long CAF while Grafton gets a short one.Isn’t the Grafton XPT independent of the others, with no sleeper? Or does it convey an XAM empty?
Looks like the central west XPT was again replaced by XPL today.