Railways and Tramways of Australia

NSW TrainLink operates various long-distance train services in New South Wales. Timetables for these services are separated into four regions: Southern, Western, North Coast, North-western. In addition to train services, these timetables contain schedules for long-distance coach services provided by NSW TrainLink. Long-distance services in Sydney originate and terminate at Central station.

 

Southern Region

Southern Region train services operate from Sydney to Canberra, Melbourne and Griffith. In the Sydney suburban area these trains operate along suburban lines via Sydenham, East Hills, Glenfield and Campbelltown. Construction of the railway line from Goulburn was extended to Cootamundra in 1877, Wagga Wagga in 1879, and Albury in 1881. The branch line from Junee to Griffith via Narrandera was completed in 1922. The branch railway line from Goulburn was extended to Queanbeyan in 1887 and Canberra in 1914. A double-track line extends from Sydney to Junee, and then a single track continues further south. Near Bethungra (between Cootamundra and Junee) the Up line includes a spiral where it loops around and passes over itself, one of two railway spirals in Australia. The branch lines to Canberra and Griffith are single track.

 

Melbourne XPT

Two XPT services run between Sydney and Melbourne in each direction daily, one service during the day and another service travelling overnight. These trains typically consist of seven passenger carriages with a power car at each end. In the Melbourne suburban area the XPT operates along the standard gauge Albion–Jacana line. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Melbourne is 953 km.

 

Canberra Xplorer

Three Xplorer services run between Sydney and Canberra in each direction daily. These trains typically consist of a three-carriage Xplorer set. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Canberra is 321 km.

 

Griffith Xplorer

Two Xplorer services run between Sydney and Griffith in each direction weekly. The train operates as a day service, departing from Sydney on Wednesday and Saturday. It stables overnight in Griffith, and then departs on its return journey on Thursday and Sunday morning. Both Down and Up services reverse direction at Junee before continuing to their destinations. The train is combined for part of its journey with the Canberra Xplorer. Between Sydney and Goulburn the train runs with five carriages. At Goulburn the Down train divides, with three carriages proceeding to Canberra and two travelling to Griffith. Similarly, the Up service commences with separate trains: two carriages from Griffith and three carriages from Canberra amalgamate at Goulburn to form a five-carriage train for the remainder of the journey to Sydney. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Griffith is 661 km.

 

Western Region

Western Region train services operate from Sydney to Dubbo and Broken Hill. In the Sydney suburban area these trains operate along suburban lines via Strathfield and Penrith. Construction of the railway line from Bowenfels (near Lithgow) was extended to Blayney in 1876, Orange in 1877 and Dubbo in 1881. The line from Orange East Fork was extended to Parkes in 1893, Condobolin in 1898 and Ivanhoe in 1925. A line between Broken Hill and Menindee was completed in 1919, and was connected to Sydney in 1927.

 

Bathurst Bullet

Two services, commonly referred to as the Bathurst Bullet, operate between Bathurst and Sydney in each direction daily. The trains travel to Sydney in the morning peak and return in the evening peak. Endeavour DMU railcars form the trains. These cars are stabled in Lithgow and run to Bathurst in the early morning hours to form the services to Sydney, and return from Bathurst to Lithgow at night. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Bathurst is 240 km.

 

Dubbo XPT

One XPT service runs between Sydney and Dubbo in each direction daily, providing a daytime service in each direction. These trains typically consist of five passenger carriages with a power car at each end. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Dubbo is 462 km.

 

Broken Hill Xplorer

One Xplorer service runs between Sydney and Broken Hill in each direction weekly. The train operates as a day service, departing from Sydney on Monday morning. It stables overnight in Broken Hill, and departs on its return journey on Tuesday morning. Both westbound and eastbound services reverse out of Orange before continuing forwards to their destinations. The Broken Hill Xplorer typically consists of a three-carriage Xplorer set. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Broken Hill is 1125 km.

 

North Coast Region

North Coast Region train services operate from Sydney to Grafton, Casino and Brisbane. In the Sydney suburban area these trains operate along suburban lines via Strathfield and Hornsby. Construction of the railway line from Dungog was extended to Taree in 1913, Kempsey in 1917, and Coffs Harbour in 1915. A separate railway was completed between Grafton and Casino in 1905, extending to Kyogle in 1910 and South Brisbane in 1930. The bridge over the Clarence River between Grafton and South Grafton was opened in 1932, completing the connection between Sydney and South Brisbane. Prior to the opening of the bridge, a train ferry crossed the Clarence River. At Cougal (near the New South Wales–Queensland border) the line includes a spiral where it loops around and passes over itself, one of two railway spirals in Australia. The standard gauge railway between South Brisbane and Roma Street was opened in 1986.

 

Brisbane XPT

One XPT service runs between Sydney and Brisbane in each direction daily, providing an overnight service northbound and a daytime service southbound. These trains typically consist of seven passenger carriages with a power car at each end. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Brisbane is 988 km.

 

Casino XPT

One XPT service runs between Sydney and Casino in each direction daily, providing a daytime service northbound and an overnight service southbound. These trains typically consist of seven passenger carriages with a power car at each end. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Casino is 805 km.

 

Grafton XPT

One XPT service runs between Sydney and Grafton in each direction daily, providing a daytime service in each direction. These trains typically consist of seven passenger carriages with a power car at each end. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Grafton is 696 km.

 

North-western Region

North-western Region train services operate from Sydney to Armidale and Moree. In the Sydney suburban area these trains operate along suburban lines via Strathfield and Hornsby. Construction of the railway line from Scone was extended to Tamworth (now West Tamworth) in 1878 and Armidale in 1883. The line from Werris Creek was extended to Gunnedah in 1879, Narrabri (now Narrabri West) in 1882 and Moree in 1897.

 

Armidale and Moree Xplorer

One Xplorer service runs between Sydney and Armidale and Moree in each direction daily, providing a daytime service in each direction. The train typically operates between Sydney and Werris Creek as a six-carriage train. At Werris Creek the train divides, with three carriages proceeding to Armidale and three travelling to Moree. Similarly, the Up service commences with separate trains: three carriages from Moree and three carriages from Armidale amalgamate at Werris Creek to form a six-carriage train for the remainder of the journey to Sydney. The total distance of the rail journey between Sydney and Armidale is 579 km, and between Sydney and Moree the distance is 666 km.

 

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