New South Wales R set

Last updated

R set
R2-Clarendon-18May25-Edited.jpg
R2 at Clarendon during testing, May 2025
Stock typeElectro-diesel multiple unit
Manufacturer CAF
Built at Beasain, Spain
Family name Civity
Replaced
Constructed2020–present
Entered service2025–2027 (scheduled)
Number under construction117 carriages
(19 3-car sets and 10 6-car sets)
Formation
  • 6-car sets (Long Regional):
  • RDA-RIA-RIB-RIC-RID-RDB
  • 3-car sets
Fleet numbersR1- (Regional)
Operators NSW TrainLink (Regional services)
Sydney Trains (Intercity services)
Depots Mindyarra Maintenance Centre
Specifications
Train length
  • 146.16 m (479 ft 6+5⁄16 in) (6-car sets)
  • 73.92 m (242 ft 6+1⁄4 in) (3-car sets)
Car length
  • 24.92 m (81 ft 9+1⁄8 in) (end cars)
  • 24.08 m (79 ft 1⁄16 in) (intermediate cars)
Width2.97 m (9 ft 8+15⁄16 in)
DoorsPlug-style, 2 per side
Wheel diameter850–780 mm (33–31 in)
Maximum speed
  • Service (electric):
  • 130 km/h (81 mph)
  • Service (diesel):
  • 160 km/h (100 mph)
  • Design:
  • 176 km/h (109 mph)
Traction motors 12–24 × TSA TME 46-23-4 210 kW (280 hp) [1]
Electric system(s) 1,500 V DC (NSW only)
Current collector(s) Pantograph
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
[2] [3]

The New South WalesR sets [4] are a class of bi-mode multiple units (EDMU) being built to replace NSW TrainLink's Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services, as well as Sydney Trains' Endeavour fleet for diesel intercity services. The fleet is being built by CAF as part of their Civity family of trains.

Contents

History

In the lead up to the 2015 state election the Baird Government committed itself, if re-elected, to replacing the XPT fleet (19 power cars and 60 carriages). [5] [6] Having been returned to office in October 2016, the government announced it was also considering replacing the Xplorer (23 carriages) and Endeavour (28 carriages) fleets. [7] [8] [9]

In August 2017 the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets as part of the Regional Rail Project. [10] In November 2017 three consortia, led by Bombardier, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains. [11] In May 2018 the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process. [12]

A contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships. [13] The order will comprise 117 bi-mode Civity carriages which will make up a total of 29 trains: [14] [15]

All trains will be maintained at the purpose built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo. [16] [17]

The first complete 6-car unit arrived at Port Kembla on 14 February 2024 and was taken by road to Dubbo. [18] [19] On 30 September 2024 the set was transferred by rail from Mindyarra Maintenance Centre to Auburn Maintenance Centre in Auburn to prepare for mainline traction testing. [20] Since February 2025 the same set commenced mainline testing on the Northern Line between West Ryde and Epping, the Western Line between St Marys and Blacktown, and on the Richmond Line between Richmond and Riverstone. [21]

The fleet is planned to enter service between 2025 and 2029. [22]

The new fleet has been criticised for its lack of sleeper carriages, which are available on the XPT. [23]

References

  1. ↑ "CAF Civity DEMU for New South Wales". Traktionssysteme Austria. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Civity regional trains for Transport For NSW". CAF . Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Restricted testing of Regional Rail cars across the network". Transport NSW . Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "Updated Train Numbering – Regional Rail". Transport for NSW . 25 January 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  5. ↑ $1 billion overhaul to cut train travel times for XPT Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 16 March 2015
  6. ↑ Coalition promises new trains will replace XPT Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Daily Examiner 17 March 2015
  7. ↑ New country train program accelerated Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 28 October 2016
  8. ↑ New South Wales brings forward XPT replacement Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 28 October 2016
  9. ↑ NSW fleet replacement accelerated Archived 24 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 31 October 2016
  10. ↑ NSW regional train fleet to be replaced Archived 19 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017
  11. ↑ "Another Milestone for Regional Rail Project". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Transport for NSW. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Regional Rail Project Overview" (PDF). www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "CAF to replace New South Wales regional train fleet". Railway Gazette International. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019.
  14. ↑ "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Regional Rail Project - Regional Rail fleet: Frequently asked questions July 2021" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  16. ↑ NSW Region train fleet on track Archived 15 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017
  17. ↑ NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
  18. ↑ Regional Rail Transport for NSW
  19. ↑ Transport for NSW (23 February 2024). "Regional Rail". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  20. ↑ Transport for NSW (3 October 2024). "Regional Rail" . Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Jenper's Train Videos: NRF Testing" YouTube
  22. ↑ "Rail Infrastructure and Systems Review". Transport for NSW. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  23. ↑ "Sleeper trains are making a comeback. Why are ours being axed?". Sydney Morning Herald. 26 November 2023.

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