Central Coast & Newcastle Line

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Central Coast & Newcastle Line
TfNSW CCN.svg
NSW TrainLink H-set OSCAR (31713977194).jpg
Overview
Service type Intercity rail
Locale Central Coast and Newcastle, New South Wales
Current operator(s) NSW TrainLink
Route
Termini Sydney Central
Newcastle Interchange
Stops36
Distance travelled165.60 km (102.90 mi)
Line(s) used Main North railway line
Newcastle railway line
Technical
Rolling stock NSW TrainLink H and V sets
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification 1,500 V DC from overhead catenary
Track owner(s) Transport Asset Holding Entity
Route map
Central Coast & Newcastle Line

The Central Coast & Newcastle Line (CCN) is a NSW TrainLink passenger train service that runs along the Main North railway line in New South Wales, connecting the state's two largest cities, Sydney and Newcastle. The service runs from Central through to Broadmeadow on the Main North railway line to Newcastle Interchange on the Newcastle railway line, and services the Hawkesbury River region, the Central Coast and the city of Newcastle.

Contents

Description of route

The Hawkesbury River separates Sydney and the Central Coast. The bridge over the river is one of the major engineering structures on the line. Hawkesbury River rail bridge.jpg
The Hawkesbury River separates Sydney and the Central Coast. The bridge over the river is one of the major engineering structures on the 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.

History

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]

Services

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 are operated by 4- or 8-car H sets (OSCARs) and 8-car V sets.

From 2024, all services are to be taken over by 4- and 6-car D sets. That will allow H sets to be transferred to the suburban Sydney Trains network.

Upgrades

Completed

The line was electrified to Gosford in January 1960, Wyong in April 1982 [7] and Newcastle in June 1984. [8]

As part of the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor project the following projects were completed: [9] The projects were: [10] [11]

ProjectDescriptionStart dateCompletion date
North Strathfield underpassGrade separation for southbound freight trains heading to Flemington2013June 2015
Epping to Pennant Hills third trackThird track for northbound trains climbing 1 in 40 grades2013Mid-2016
Gosford passing loopsOne passing loop in each direction to allow fast trains to overtake slower trains2013April 2015

Proposed

Glendale station

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 NSW TrainLink H set. H sets, along with V sets, service the line. Sydney Trains H22 OSCAR.jpg
A NSW TrainLink H set. H sets, along with V sets, service the line.

New Warnervale station

A new station is proposed for Warnervale. [12] [13] The draft Central Coast Transportation Strategy stated that construction of the new railway station was to be completed by 2016. [14] In October 2014 there were some differences between the former Wyong Shire Council (now Central Coast Council) and the State Government over how a strategic piece of land should be developed at Warnervale. [15]

Stations

This table does not include the services which run via the North Shore line and extend to Gosford and Wyong via Gordon.

Central Coast & Newcastle Line stations
NameRailway lineServing town/suburbsNotes
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, DarlingtonInterchange with most Sydney Trains lines
Strathfield Strathfield, BurwoodInterchange 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, WaitaraInterchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trains
Asquith
(limited service only)
AsquithUsually served by Sydney Trains
Mount Colah
(limited service only)
Mount ColahUsually served by Sydney Trains
Mount Kuring-Gai
(limited service only)
Mount Kuring-GaiUsually served by Sydney Trains
Berowra Berowra, Berowra HeightsEnd of the Sydney Trains network
Cowan Cowan
Hawkesbury River Brooklyn
Wondabyne Wondabyne
Woy Woy Woy Woy
Koolewong Koolewong
Tascott Tascott
Point Clare Point Clare
Gosford GosfordIntermediate 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, WattanobiIntermediate 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 BayInterchange 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 BroadmeadowInterchange with Regional trains
Hamilton Newcastle Hamilton, IslingtonInterchange with the Hunter Line
Newcastle Interchange Wickham, NewcastleInterchange with the buses, Hunter Line trains and Newcastle Light Rail

Patronage

The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2022, based on Opal tap on and tap off data. [16]

2021–22 NSW TrainLink Intercity patronage by line
3179000
6015000
418000
3013000
334000

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Coast (New South Wales)</span> Region in New South Wales, Australia

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main North railway line, New South Wales</span> Railway line in New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strathfield railway station</span> Railway station in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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 and T2 Inner West & Leppington 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhodes railway station</span> Railway station in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawkesbury River railway station</span> Australian railway station

Hawkesbury River railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Northern and Central Coast–Newcastle lines in Brooklyn in the Hornsby Shire local government area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the town of Brooklyn and is located on the southern bank of the Hawkesbury River. It was designed and build by the Department of Railways New South Wales. It is also known as Hawkesbury River Railway Station group and Brooklyn Station. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woy Woy railway station</span> Australian railway station

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyong railway station</span> Australian railway station

Wyong railway station is located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the northern Central Coast town of Wyong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton railway station, New South Wales</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadmeadow railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuggerah railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ourimbah railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosford railway station</span> Australian railway station

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSW TrainLink H set</span> Class of electric multiple unit operating in New South Wales, Australia

The NSW TrainLink H sets, also referred to as the OSCAR trains, are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink. 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 V set carriages. As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous 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.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle railway line</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Sydney Freight Corridor</span> Rail freight in Sydney, New South Wales

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle Flyer</span> Express passenger service connecting Newcastle and Sydney from 1929 to 1988

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Shore & Western Line</span> Rail service in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle Interchange</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Newcastle Interchange is a transport interchange serving the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as the termini for NSW TrainLink's Central Coast & Newcastle Line and Hunter Line train services, Newcastle Light Rail services and Newcastle Transport bus routes.

References

  1. "CCN Central Coast & Newcastle Line - Transport NSW" (PDF). Transport NSW. 8 July 2023.
  2. Some Steam Trains of New South Wales in Retrospect: Trains to Newcastle and the Short North, Covell, Charles Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October 2000 pp369-386
  3. "Electric Locos" Railway Digest June 1998 page 35
  4. Owen, Brodie (15 October 2017). "All stops to Wickham: transport interchange opens". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  5. "Light rail construction". Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  6. Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February Archived 4 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 3 February 2019
  7. Railway Sign Official Opening Gosford - Wyong Electrification 3 April 1982 Archived 27 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Powerhouse Museum Collection
  8. "The Official Opening of Newcastle Rail Electrification" Railway Digest July 1984 page 218
  9. Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Locked In Archived 10 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Infrastructure & Transport 7 December 2011
  10. "Sydney's mega rail upgrade gets green light". The Construction Index. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  11. Industry Briefing Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 24 January 2012
  12. A new Central Coast Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine New South Wales Planning & Environment Retrieved 27 December 2014
  13. Warnervale Town Centre Development Control Plan 2012 Archived 30 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine New South Wales Planning & Environment
  14. Warnervale Town Centre Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Wyong Shire Council 19 February 2014
  15. NSW Government and Wyong Council in row over plans for key Warnervale land Archived 30 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine Daily Telegraph
  16. "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 20 August 2022.

Further reading