Central Coast & Newcastle Line | |||||||||||||||
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Overview | |||||||||||||||
Service type | Intercity rail | ||||||||||||||
Locale | Central Coast and Newcastle, New South Wales | ||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Sydney Trains | ||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||
Termini | Sydney Central Newcastle Interchange | ||||||||||||||
Stops | 36 | ||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 165.60 km (102.90 mi) | ||||||||||||||
Line(s) used | Main North railway line Newcastle railway line | ||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | Sydney Trains' D, H and V sets | ||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||
Electrification | 1,500 V DC from overhead catenary | ||||||||||||||
Track owner(s) | Transport Asset Holding Entity | ||||||||||||||
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The Central Coast & Newcastle Line (CCN) is an intercity rail service that services the Upper North Shore, Central Coast and Newcastle regions. It connects the two largest cities in New South Wales, running from Central in Sydney along the Main North railway line to Broadmeadow, and to Newcastle Interchange in Newcastle on the Newcastle railway line.
The route traverses the Main West route until Strathfield, where it diverts north and follows the route of the Main North line until Broadmeadow, before diverting east along the route of the Newcastle branch line. The line is electrified at 1500 V DC throughout, and is primarily double track, although there are refuge loops at Hawkesbury River, Gosford, Wyong, Awaba, and Sulphide Junction (between Cockle Creek and Cardiff). Some services terminate at Gosford and Wyong.
Services primarily operate to and from Central (Sydney Terminal) via Strathfield. During morning and afternoon peak periods on weekdays, some services will operate in the peak direction from either Wyong or Gosford to Central via the North Shore Line, then continuing on as a T1 service from the Central suburban platforms to Blacktown. [1]
Sometimes, when there is trackwork between Strathfield and Hornsby, trains will operate via the North Shore line between Central and Hornsby, then follow the Main North railway line as normal.
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Prior to electrification of the route, steam hauled passenger trains were varied. [2] From November 1929 until April 1988, the Newcastle Flyer operated on the route. From the time the line was electrified, services to Gosford were hauled by 46 class locomotives, their sphere of operation increasing as the wires were extended. After electrification to Newcastle, services were taken over by U and V sets. Later, the U sets were replaced by K and G sets which, in turn, were replaced by H sets.
The last electric locomotives were withdrawn in March 1998 [3] with all services operated by electric multiple unit stock.
The section of the Newcastle railway line between Hamilton and Newcastle was closed on 25 December 2014. Until the opening of Newcastle Interchange in 2017, Hamilton served as the temporary northern terminus. [4] The closed section between Wickham and Newcastle was replaced with the Newcastle Light Rail that opened on 17 February 2019. [5] [6]
Most all-stations trains have four carriages, with the first and last car being quiet carriages. Peak-hour and most express services usually have eight cars, with quiet carriages on the first, last, and the two middle carriages.
Services via Strathfield depart from Central (Sydney Terminal) and since December 2024, services currently consist of 4-car V sets, H sets (OSCARs) & D sets. [7] [8] When required these sets can be formed into 8 car services, with the D Sets to be extended to 10 (6+4) car formations when the 6-car sets enter service in the future. Services via Gordon on the North Shore Line run between Blacktown and Gosford or Wyong.
The line was electrified to Gosford in January 1960, Wyong in April 1982 [9] and Newcastle in June 1984. [10]
As part of the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor project the following projects were completed: [11] The projects were: [12] [13]
Project | Description | Start date | Completion date |
---|---|---|---|
North Strathfield underpass | Grade separation for southbound freight trains heading to Flemington | 2013 | June 2015 |
Epping to Pennant Hills third track | Third track for northbound trains climbing 1 in 40 grades | 2013 | Mid-2016 |
Gosford passing loops | One passing loop in each direction to allow fast trains to overtake slower trains | 2013 | April 2015 |
A railway station is proposed to be constructed in Glendale as part of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange project. The station will be located between Cockle Creek and Cardiff railway station and will have connections to buses. An extension of Glendale Drive leading to the proposed station has been built and completed in June 2017. However, construction of the station has not commenced.
A new station is proposed for Warnervale. [14] [15] The draft Central Coast Transportation Strategy stated that construction of the new railway station was to be completed by 2016. [16] In October 2014 there were some differences between Wyong Council and the State Government over how a strategic piece of land should be developed at Warnervale. [17]
This table does not include the services which run via the North Shore line and extend to Gosford and Wyong via Gordon.
Name | Railway line | Serving town/suburbs | Notes |
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Central | Main Suburban | Haymarket, Chippendale, Ultimo, Surry Hills | Transport hub featuring Sydney Trains, other Intercity trains, Regional trains, buses and light rail |
Redfern (peak hours only) | Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington | Interchange with most Sydney Trains lines | |
Strathfield | Strathfield, Burwood | Interchange with the Blue Mountains Line, Sydney Trains and Regional trains | |
Epping | Main North | Epping, North Epping, Carlingford, | Interchange with Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro |
Hornsby | Hornsby, Waitara | Interchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trains | |
Asquith (limited service only) | Asquith | Usually served by Sydney Trains | |
Mount Colah (limited service only) | Mount Colah | Usually served by Sydney Trains | |
Mount Kuring-Gai (limited service only) | Mount Kuring-Gai | Usually served by Sydney Trains | |
Berowra | Berowra, Berowra Heights | End of the Sydney Trains network | |
Cowan | Cowan | ||
Hawkesbury River | Brooklyn | ||
Wondabyne | Wondabyne | Request stop | |
Woy Woy | Woy Woy | ||
Koolewong | Koolewong | ||
Tascott | Tascott | ||
Point Clare | Point Clare | ||
Gosford | Gosford | Intermediate terminus, primarily during peak hours. Interchange with Regional trains | |
Narara | Narara | ||
Niagara Park | Niagara Park | ||
Lisarow | Lisarow | ||
Ourimbah | Ourimbah | ||
Tuggerah | Tuggerah, Mardi, Chittaway Point, Kangy Angy | ||
Wyong | Wyong, Wattanobi | Intermediate terminus, primarily during peak hours and on weekends. Interchange with Regional trains | |
Warnervale | Warnervale, Woongarrah, Hamlyn Terrace | ||
Wyee | Wyee | ||
Morisset | Morisset | ||
Dora Creek | Dora Creek, Myuna Bay, Eraring | ||
Awaba | Awaba | ||
Fassifern | Fassifern, Blackalls Park, Fennell Bay | Interchange with Regional trains | |
Booragul | Booragul, Marmong Point | ||
Teralba | Teralba | ||
Cockle Creek | Cockle Creek, Boolaroo, Argenton | ||
Cardiff | Cardiff, Cardiff Heights, Glendale | ||
Kotara | Kotara, Kotara South | ||
Adamstown | Adamstown, New Lambton | ||
Broadmeadow | Broadmeadow | Interchange with Regional trains | |
Hamilton | Newcastle | Hamilton, Islington | Interchange with the Hunter Line |
Newcastle Interchange | Wickham, Newcastle | Interchange with the buses, Hunter Line trains and Newcastle Light Rail |
The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2024, based on Opal tap on and tap off data. [18]
7,152,563 | |
13,189,811 | |
803,606 | |
7,132,670 | |
755,919 |
CityRail was a passenger railway brand operated by the State Rail Authority from 1989 to 2003 and by RailCorp from 2003 to 2013 with services in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities in New South Wales, Australia. It was established in January 1989 and abolished in June 2013 when it was superseded by Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink.
The Central Coast is a peri-urban region lying on the Pacific Ocean in northern-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The region is situated north of Sydney, which is filled with subtropical national parks, forests and also encompasses the major coastal waterways of Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and southern Lake Macquarie. The region's hinterland, which has fertile valleys, rural farmland and wineries, and also includes the Watagan Mountains. The Central Coast is known for its regional coastal towns like Terrigal, The Entrance, Ettalong Beach, Budgewoi and Bateau Bay with resorts and holiday parks, which feature many expansive beaches and lagoons with surfing and coastal tracks, as well as scenic views. Gosford is the main commercial hub and gateway.
The Main North Line is a major railway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs through Strathfield to Armidale. The line is the main line between Sydney and Armidale. As of 1988, the line closed progressively north of Armidale with services gradually withdrawn till 2004, with the main route between Sydney and Brisbane now the North Coast line. The end of these services marked a significant shift in rail transport in the region, leading to an increased reliance on road transport and altering the dynamics of movement and passenger accessibility between these major cities..
The State Rail Authority, a former statutory authority of the Government of New South Wales, operated and maintained railways in the Australian state of New South Wales from July 1980 until December 2003.
Strathfield railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Suburban line in the Sydney suburb of Strathfield in the Municipality of Strathfield local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The station is served by Sydney Trains' T1 North Shore & Western Line, T9 Northern Line, T2 Leppington & Inner West Line, T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line suburban services as well as NSW TrainLink Intercity and regional services. The station is located on the Main Northern and Main Western railway lines, forming a major junction for regional and suburban rail services. The station and associated infrastructure was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Woy Woy railway station is located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the southern Central Coast town of Woy Woy opening on 1 February 1889.
The K sets are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that currently operate on the Sydney Trains suburban network. Built by A Goninan & Co, the K sets first entered service in 1981 operating under the State Rail Authority, and later CityRail. The carriages are of stainless steel, double deck construction and share much of their design with the older S sets. All of the 40 K sets originally built remain in service but one 4 car set. The K sets are currently the second oldest in the Sydney Trains fleet, and the oldest in the Suburban fleet.
Wyong railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the northern Central Coast town of Wyong.
Hamilton railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Newcastle line in the inner Newcastle suburb of Hamilton in New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Broadmeadow railway station is a heritage-listed railway station and major regional interchange located on the Main Northern Line. The station itself serves the Newcastle suburb of Broadmeadow. The station was first opened on 15 August 1887.
Gosford railway station is located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the Central Coast city of Gosford, opening on 15 August 1887.
The New South Wales H sets, commonly referred to as the OSCAR trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) currently operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity routes and some Sydney suburban routes. Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow, the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006, with the last in December 2012. Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some second-class V set carriages. As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous Intercity Tangara G sets. Currently operating as 55 four-carriage sets, the H sets now operate between Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast.
Sydney, the largest city in Australia, has an extensive network of passenger and goods railways. The passenger system includes an extensive suburban railway network, operated by Sydney Trains, as well as a metro system and a light rail network. A dedicated goods network also exists.
The Newcastle railway line is a branch railway line in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The line branches off the Main North line at Broadmeadow and travels in an easterly direction through the inner suburbs to Newcastle Interchange, with one intermediate station at Hamilton. Until its curtailment in December 2014, it extended to Newcastle station. NSW TrainLink operates electric passenger train services over this line as part of its Central Coast & Newcastle Line service, and diesel railcars to Maitland and beyond as part of the Hunter Line.
The Northern Sydney Freight Corridor (NSFC) was a project to improve access between Sydney and Newcastle for freight trains. Frequent passenger services operate on the Main Northern line between Strathfield and Broadmeadow. These passenger services take priority, meaning freight trains can be delayed and are subject to a curfew during peak hours. The Northern Sydney Freight Corridor aimed to reduce delays and increase capacity by providing additional train paths. The delivery of the NSFC projects was managed by Transport for NSW, with the exception of the Hexham freight loop which was delivered in June 2012 by the Australian Rail Track Corporation. The final stage was completed in June 2016.
The Newcastle Flyer was an Australian passenger express train that operated from November 1929 until April 1988 connecting New South Wales' two largest cities, Sydney and Newcastle.
Sydney Trains is the brand name and operator of suburban and intercity train services in and around Greater Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.
The North Shore & Western Line is a commuter rail service operated by Sydney Trains, serving the North Shore, parts of the Inner West and Western Suburbs of Sydney.
The New South Wales D sets, also referred to as the Mariyung trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that operate on Sydney Trains' intercity lines. The sets operate on the Blue Mountains Line, Central Coast & Newcastle Line and South Coast Line services. When all sets enter service as planned, they will replace the outgoing V set fleet, and subsequently allow for the reallocation of the entire H set fleet to Sydney's suburban line services.
Newcastle Interchange is a transport interchange serving the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as the terminus for Central Coast & Newcastle Line and Hunter Line train services, Newcastle Light Rail services and Newcastle Transport bus routes.