A Look Inside NSW's New Regional Trains (XPT Replacement)

Reuploaded from Dailymotion for convenience.
Video source:
www.dailymotio...

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

If anyone is planning on using this footage in their video essays or anything, I managed to find a higher resolution version of this without the watermarks here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ghk3coikxu8sf9ms4qx64/AJVMeMM5XkXkir9ua364sKM?rlkey=i0z70np8ilx2crbhx5m3mum9l&e=1&st=jenn7cl7&dl=0 Also includes drone shots of the train and the full press conference.

[@locomotion4118]

@@WeenyBeanyHere Thank you!

[@mmmail1969]

Now all they need do, is embrace last century technology and build a few sleeper cars to distribute among the fleet! 😏

[@johncoyle777]

I commented that there should be RAIL BED SEATS like in Queensland. I do not sit up overnight by train or by bus. Of course s SLEEPER is best, but I found the RAIL B ED SEATS on the Spirit of Queensland to be quite good! LAYING FLAT. I would suggest that one standard sitting car be converted to a RAIL BED on the WESTLANDER and INLANDER trains!

[@Roadrunnerz45]

insane this was not included in the design. insanity. i mean the sleepers would be all booked now? so demand is clearly there, this train is not getting faster. bizarre decision.

[@nascara5cupseriesa5cubing18]

If they dont add beds, A journey from Brisbane to Sydney would be bad for sleeping and the back of people would be disintegrated

[@erroreliminator2.076]

But they are highly-paid experts, so they say to the government "Trust me bro"

[@locomotion4118]

@@johncoyle777 As I have commented elsewhere, there was a requirement for rail bed seats in the Expression of Interest documents. At least one respondent supplied a DSAPT-compliant solution. Unfortunately, the requirement was not included in the Request for Tender, presumably to achieve a higher seating capacity.

[@mhayli1]

2024, and she is getting excited about tray tables, usb charging and very small looking overhead luggage storage. They missed an opportunity to have fully sleeper trains, in higher density than the XPT, perhaps a couple per night in each direction between Melbourne and Sydney in particular. The slowness of the service doesn’t matter when you have dinner on the train, go to bed then wakeup refreshed and ready to conduct your business.

[@danieltaylor3755]

yes i agree with you. So far away from something like a TGV in France. These things are a sick joke.

[@johncoyle777]

My friends and Family know that I am not a Socialist. . . . . however, creating a NATIONAL PASSENGER TRAIN SYSTEM, taking over Journey Beond Belief, or whatever it is called this week, and reintroducing trains such as the SOUTHERN AURORA and Brisbane Limited, at reasonable fares, would be highly popular and successful! It is easy to see a twice a week IP and a twice a week GHAN, as well. The $3,000 fares would be cut in half and then, say, 20% off those fares for concession card holders. I am serious about this.

[@erroreliminator2.076]

She's excited about the re-invention of existing technology. Such brilliance these highly paid leaders and experts

[@locomotion4118]

@@erroreliminator2.076 Give her a break, it’s probably the first time that she’s ever been on a train, no wonder she’s excited. In Australia it’s a rare thing when a Minister actually knows something about their portfolio!

[@johnleonard2202]

@@johncoyle777 I don't have a problem with Journey Beyond, but people do need to realise that they are cruises on rails, not a means of transport. You are right, we probably do need a national system, equivalent to Amtrak in the US. My first focus would be daily overnight sleeper services between city pairs, Adelaide/Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/Townsville or Cairns. Second priority would be faster and more frequent daylight services on the same routes. Economy seats need to be priced at or better than Jetstar, with First Class and Sleepers priced against QANTAS. Further down the list is the long distance routes, equivalent to the Ghan and the IP. I agree with you, they need daily services. I would also re-introduce the motorail for trips like these (as well as a second overnight service as above, but with the motorail). Journey Beyond can still offer their luxury experiences, but the country desperately needs to look at our day-to-day transportation needs.

[@B10Mman]

This project is living proof that politicians and others who aren't railway people should NOT be allowed to plan things like railway infrastructure. Who in their unintelligent mind decided to put this depot in Dubbo? Its 460kms from Sydney (Terminal) Central where "all" the NSW Trainlink long distance trains start and finish. The XPT depot at Meeks Rd (Sydenham) is 5.5kms from Sydney Central and was chosen for its close proximity to Sydney Central station. Some knucklehead in the previous Coalition government decided that Dubbo would be a "great" location for the new regional fleet depot, but no thought went into the logistics to and from Dubbo, nor choosing a suitable location close to Sydney Central. The Elcar location when it was built was chosen because it was in a "central" location to all the suburban electric train depots in Sydney. What they save in construction of these trains overseas is going to be swallowed up in empty trian movements between Sydney and Dubbo. These people in this video have no idea on how these train are going to perform out in service because these trains are only going to offer a sitting service with no sleeper accommodation. Ironically the XPT's when built were a "day train" with no sleeper accommodation provided, but in saying that, they only ran intrastate too, it wasn't until the long distance locomotive hauled trains stopped running with the XPT replacing them that there was a need for sleeper accommodation to become available on night services.

[@afs5609]

Its the same dickhead political party who wanted the XPT depot built at Dubbo in the 1970's, that time the Lib's lost office & commonsense intervened, THIS TIME THE YES MEN & WOMEN AT "T for NSW" agreed with the non rail experts POLITICANS & their advisors, who were as usual looking for the country vote that decided this one. The Government better keep the XPT centre operarational for the next ten years while the contractors sort out the Bi Modal system on these rail units, or they will have to borrow or rent diesel loco's to tow the failed units back to the service centre.

[@gregmichael8473]

Is Dubbo in what was called, in Yes Minister, a special development area, i.e. a marginal electorate?

[@msg5507]

​@gregmichael8473 worse than that, it's a "National Party electorate".

[@Roadrunnerz45]

they will no doubt still do light maintenance in sydney as all trains will start or end there obviously. just like the intercity which is based at wyong.

[@qjtvaddict]

@@gregmichael8473ok add HSR then

[@electro_sykes]

We need a seperate sleeper service and train. This would appeal to business travelers and be a short term alternative to high speed rail

[@qjtvaddict]

It will never be an alternative to HSR lol the only alternative is straight up maglev

[@peterbreis5407]

Why would a business person catch an intercity train that takes over 11hrs Sydney-Melbourne and 14hrs Sydney- Brisbane? You can't get any work done, nor sleep with the noise, lurching and stop/starting.

[@electro_sykes]

@@peterbreis5407 they are asleep most of the time and will be able to bring laptops onboard and have work spaces

[@peterbreis5407]

@@electro_sykes No they are not. It is nearly impossible to sleep on the train. It is noisy, creaks, lurches and constantly brakes and starts, plus there are all the other passenger noises and announcements. Laptops are fine if the train is a smooth ride which it is not and there is no uninterrupted internet access. This is not France or Japan we are talking about. Nor fantasyland. Have you travelled long distance in Australia?

[@electro_sykes]

@@peterbreis5407 mate I have been on worse sleeper trains. If you think our sleepers here suck, than you will surely find sleeper trains in places like Vietnam and India quite an interesting experiance. I still managed to get some pretty good sleep though, but heck the tracks were so clunky and some of the carriages dated back as far as half a century.

[@Ar-Rahman61]

Sleeper cars are a must. The Queensland railbed seats are not a sleeper. At the speed these will travel, give us sleeper carriages and a proper resuarant car. Where is a luggage van for che ked luggage and van goods?

[@RedtailFox1]

looking on the video it seems that the checked luggage is up near one of the cabs........ Honestly though this feels like a Government move to 'appear to be doing something' without actually improving anything.

[@RaTTyRaTT]

The design for checked luggage is like the Xplorer class... only upside is the driver can be serviced by the PSA when needing a sandwich or coffee, vs the XPT which requires a bit of a jog... lol...

[@kidfreejones]

Who's the lady it's like she's never been on a train before and surprised by every detail 🤷‍♂️

[@cabbagepatch8947]

Exactly. She loves shinny and is not at all critical as she knows she will never have to travel on this train.

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

That's Jenny Aitchison, current "Minister for Regional Transport and Roads".

[@locomotion4118]

Jenny Aitchison, demonstrating that she knows as much about trains as Jo Haylen!

[@Gonzarelli]

Maybe she's even more of a mega train nerd than everyone else here.

[@Mick_4591]

​@@WeenyBeanyHere😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ScottMcKinnon-fh1ns]

Not a fan of the small windows, and noticed about 1:50 in that some seats don't even line up with windows. Would have like to see how far those seats recline. Nice to say they're comfy after sitting in then for 30 secs, try 10+ hours

[@Roadrunnerz45]

yeah thats annoying, not lining up. been on a few airline seats same deal, bigger issue here obviously.

[@manram2105]

Even the current XPTs and Explorers have bigger windows. These small windows look like taking a big step backwards in time. Totally gutted with this design.

[@ScottMcKinnon-fh1ns]

Have kinda worked out the black bar down the middle is for a blind either side of it. They are hardly going to be good advertising... Sit back and enjoy the view... Maybe

[@kingsbishop1479]

Hopefully complaints will make them change the Windows

[@Max-gs9oe]

I remember reading once that the orange tint on the XPT windows was chosen for passenger comfort because of how harsh conditions in Australia can be. The windows on these things look clear as water

[@ironbark88]

Actually, im more impressed with the cleanliness and efficient layout of the servicing shed.

[@Shad0wHunt3r24]

Probs cleaned up for the visit lol 😂

[@locomotion4118]

@@Shad0wHunt3r24Nope, brand spanking new, and uncontaminated by any significant maintenance activities. The depot will be used for some fit-out of the trains when they arrive from Spain.

[@peterhelm6003]

Walking through a train saying it looks comfortable is not the same as sitting in the seats for 7 hours and discovering that they aren't. Seating in the current XPT fleet is thoroughly uncomfortable for taller people.

[@rus0004]

Or wide people. Those seats are a good 4 inches narrower than my shoulders. I was literally wedged between the window and my fellow passenger. (He was the smart one. He asked me to swap for the aisle seat.)

[@sol3au]

Not sure. But it looked like the seats are not soft. That is not a problem for few hours but is for longer trips.

[@richardwright1673]

great for shorter regional travel, not so for interstate

[@BaileyChap]

Ok, but how do I sleep in those seats?

[@rus0004]

Government: "NOFP"

[@donlow7036]

@@BaileyChap you don't, that's the fun thing. Same seats as the original XPT, seat cushion slides, seat back stays upright. Passengers hated them, the entire XPT fleet had the seats replaced with reclining seats 2 years after their introduction. So, we are going back to a seating configuration that passengers hated. 👍👍

[@ironbark88]

Wow!!!!. Its got more buttons than the XPT. An experts opinion?

[@fcfhkmelb]

This is the sort of people who manage Australia's rail system. What can you expect?

[@koutsoumbos]

Where's Howard Collins or glady 😅😅😅

[@Gamer-zz7iq]

it would be cool if they made a sleeper cabin for the interstate/overnight services

[@r-labs9357]

It’s good, it’s fresh, it’s new, but not appropriate for a sleeper train

[@RonGabriel]

I’ve been on a Sydney to Melbourne on a First class seat and it was torture, sleeper cabin on the way back was at least bearable. We may never see a Shinkansen type of travel in the near future but I think most will welcome that if it ever happens. Mainly for a short to medium distance travel.

[@stuartruss7536]

All I saw was a bunch of people who think they are important that have no idea patting themselves on the back to make themselves look important

[@enricoferri4916]

Having recently travelled from Townsville to Brisbane then Brisbane to Sydney then to Melbourne I did some comparisons. Qld Rail trains have screens on the back of the seats, even on economy, and a few programs to select from. It looks like these carriages don't have that. Also on the current XPT there is no dining car just catering meaning you have to bring your meal/snacks back to your seat, Qld Rail does have as does the Overland Melbourne to Adelaide. Will be interesting to see what NSW finishes up with.

[@johncoyle777]

Some good news is forward facing seats! Alpough we cant see the First Class seats, I understand that unlike the XPT they are genuine first class like in Britain with 2 +1 seating. HOWEVER why were no RAIL BED SEATS like those on the Spirit of Queensland, provided? That way the seats would used for both Day and Night travel. I do not sit up overnight on a train or a bus, and I am sure that MANY travelers agree with my views on that subject!

[@locomotion4118]

During the EOI process TfNSW included a requirement for rail bed seats. They were omitted from the RFT (tender). They never explained why.

[@johncoyle777]

@@locomotion4118 Stunning and amazing! Who had the Rail Bed seats, cancelled? I mean what INDIVIDUAL signed such an order? When Rail Bed Seats were first discussed for the then CTT, before it became the SOQ, I was critical of that, due to a lack of privacy and security, and although my opinion stands, I HAVE however used those Rail Bed seats a number of times, and they are MANY times better than sitting up all night in a standard seat!

[@AussiePom]

@@johncoyle777 So I'll continue to drive and stay in motels.

[@daniellaugesen8355]

Where is the cafe car?

[@thekrunkymonkey]

Owwwwww I like the addition of the sand. That will make the trip much more interesting.

[@Justin.87]

That looks very uncomfortable

[@LilStoops]

She was too big for the seat. The blob would be spilling into mine if I was unfortunate enough to travel next to her.

[@masonfarrell8845]

I think something like the nightjet and railjet could work. The current trains run day service and a modified sleeper train does night. It would also allow for people to actually use the sleeper train compared to now.

[@Aussie_stu]

What are the provisions for roll on/ roll off bikes?

[@cabbagepatch8947]

Wrong trains for a long trip like Melbourne to Sydney. Thanks god the seats turn.

[@afs5609]

totally agree they are only good for day service within the state, Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane service needs sleepers & sitting cars, in regard to the rotating seats thats a surprise just imagine traveliing backwards to Melbourne.

[@fcfhkmelb]

The seats look so hard. Can't imagine sitting on those seats for 10+ hours.

[@Iwishiwasflying]

Seat on the XPT already turn

[@koutsoumbos]

It's more like day to day suburban train

[@kingsbishop1479]

Will anyone be able to look out the Windows since once you recline tge walls block the view

[@DavidWynn-f8o]

as a rail fan im totally deflated by this. when someone from the coach industry is "impressed" by the "extra buttons" rather that the safety systems incorporated then we have a problem. The seats look as nice as riding on a donkey, although they are bi directional, there is no sleeper option for long transit routes and is there going to be an actual dining car?

[@dulcinealee3933]

where is the wifi and sleeper carriages? Not much on the buffet car and what are the toilets like? any showers?

[@utareangara5529]

No sleepers? fantastic for the overnight trips LMAFO. Also XPT's have more legroom too. Like DAFQ? Aso do they make the journey faster?

[@kasinathar1874]

Still go at 40 KMPH most of the way. 😂😂😂

[@fantasticini]

This bureaucrat the camera is following around has no knowledge of trains. Just a highly paid chair warmer.

[@anguscovoflyer95]

It’s not good that the trains will have no sleeper carriages

[@sol3au]

This needs sleeper cabins. Who wants to sit there 13 hours when it is 1 hour by plane. If one can lie down and sleep, that's different story. Seats should be for shorter segment travellers. I once travelled from Brisbane to Sydney by XPT train and it was loooong and slow. The air-conditioning was not working, it was really hot, it was after a strike (to Brisbane I had to go by rail bus, which was faster but I don't like buses) so the kitchen had problems, and one other thing. The enormous number of turns in country side which is effectively flat is beyond me. I mean you are on a flat level surface horizon to horizon and you keep turning continuously like crazy. And not just gentle turns. Quite sharp, and as the XPT tries to go fast you can really feel the push. After the first 5 hours this gets quite annoying. I actually got off the train and my balance was messed up for a while. So many hours of these continuos turns. It would be better lying down I think, but would have to try it.

[@LamNguyen-tswb]

I prefer the V/Line Vlocity Train and NSW Trainlink older XPT over CAF Civity.

[@carisi2k11]

Those seats are a million times better then a vlocities seats. Oh and also there is no transmission on these CAFS like there is on vlo's, endeavours and xplorers. So it is going to be a much more comfortable ride.

[@electro_sykes]

My favourite is the tilt trains actually, then the vlocity

[@aymanla471]

caf civity platform trains have a good reputation they are all over europe

[@mjcats2011]

The V/Locity is a streamlined version of the xplorer and is a bog standard train.

[@xr6lad]

Vlocities are crap. No really. The seats are far too close to the seats in front. Harsh glary lighting. The interiors are plastic. We still have a fleet that would not be out of place in 1970 with largely no tray tables or charging ports. They are split in to 2 x 3 carriage sections. . On LONG distance so no ability to walk through. They are tricked up commuter trains that should not be being used for longer than 2 hours at most. Transit fans get excited over them because think they look good because they have streamlined noses but do not be fooled.

[@kygladdish2554]

They’re going to regret a lot of these choices 12 months in to operation. The more moving parts in the saloon means the more can go wrong. Overhead compartments with doors that can break, or be treated roughly, ditto arm rests and extendable tray tables. I have seen first hand how those things ground aircraft when they break cause they had to be fixed to run or seats blocked and unsellable. And that’s for an airline who makes a good profit, imagine what these trains who make no profit will be left to run when these things break or are broken by “train passengers” !

[@kingsbishop1479]

Why are the windows so much smaller

[@brettharrison5136]

These new regional train is there a buffet car or sleeper carriage and also is the prices on these train gonn be cheaper or expensive prices then what it's now.

[@leokimvideo]

The way you need to look at this is simple. These trains will still be in service in 50 years time if it's anything like the way the XPT's were flogged to death

[@RaTTyRaTT]

Sadly new trains will still be restricted to the ARTC track speeds on Syd-Bris&etc, Syd-Mel routes... and CRN track speeds on Syd-Dubb routes. (XPT only... Xplorer/Endeav other locations). So new trains - but same old duration of travel.

[@MicksA]

High speed rail has been a technology available for decades… Sydney to Melbourne is one of the world’s busiest flight routes. Here we are just replacing the vessel. Our railways are a joke. Well, who knows? This could’ve all been Alan Joyce putting money in his back pocket, keeping the monopoly

[@andymartinez767]

A long time in coming, so slow to roll them out, probably obsolete now, time to get new ones

[@jxmai7687]

Not much new, the speed still the same if go between Melbourne and Sydney, the track still the same condition, still need more than 8 hours trip while other countries just 3 hours.

[@donlow7036]

The Civity platform on which these new abominations are based is already 25 years old. It has a storied history of structural, mechanical and ride quality issues.

[@AlanHutchins-jm8px]

Where are the sleepers minisinister

[@josiahhosking3211]

When will this particular train service starts?

[@CoreyIsAussie]

I didnt see any sleeper cabins??

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

There are no sleeper cabins

[@AustraliaWorldwide]

testing on T1 starting late october 2024 overnight between st mary's & Blacktown

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

Hopefully it won't be cancelled... for the 4th time now

[@glendafaber1245]

I hope the seats are comfortable.

[@hs7921]

Hope it will do the Sydney Brisbane run. And hopefully faster than the existing equipment.

[@locomotion4118]

Train speed capability is not the real issue. Poor track condition because the tracks carry more freight, relatively tight curves here and there, and all of those unguarded level crossings along the way, mean that there are only a few places where the trains can get up to a half decent speed.

[@TimHarris2]

*sits in the seat for one micro second* "oh wow that's actually pretty good!"

[@dagwould]

They should have touch screens at the seat back so passengers can get the driver's view of the track ahead. Or, a touch of the screen to see the guard's view of where we'd been. Or as a bonus, a view of the driver looking at the road ahead! That would be good to puzzle the passengers.

[@haydencharles4231]

You should have had people that actually use the XTP and love the trains. I love the XTP and watching this video means we aren't getting the best out of the new trains. The front of the trains look like the common train on the system but this train needs to look as difference as they are. I don't care they are 30+ years old but need a better look

[@seanlander9321]

Who is the vandal that made the decision to ditch the sleepers?

[@grobbosixtyone]

Where do bicycles go?

[@peterblackmore7560]

Oh yes, rechargeable, highly flammable electric bikes on an interstate train. What could possibly go wrong?

[@irasponsibly]

NSW bans bikes on regional trains unless you put it in a box, it's stupid.

[@irasponsibly]

​@@peterblackmore7560but it's a-ok if I put it in a box..

[@pjcannon64]

Bikes are a huge problem unless properly planned for, with dedicated areas large enough to accommodate their growing numbers. I'd also suggest that a booking be required for a bike and once those spots are filled, bad luck - next service. In regional Victoria, you better be prepared to wait for the next service or the one after that, on busy days, as there is simply not enough room for bikes, with overflow going into the accessible areas - but be prepared to detrain with your bike and wait for the next service if enough mobility devices require access - they have priority, as they should. An additional issue with bikes is saddle bags that can't (or won't) be removed - they take up excess space and prevent an additional bike being added to the available space.

[@danielreynolds6498]

Need sleeper cars come on.

[@marybrock9250]

I hope they got wheelchair access and room for the in carriages and wheelchair access for the toilets

[@azurecorviknight4189]

The sleeper cars if i made them will have 3 Z's in the middle, being named Sleeper Cars, the Inside is the same as the Xpt, but with a screen that shows the time, Pressing the Silent button will mute the audio, while the Rest Button will basically act like a google nest clock as it adapts to the lighting system. The Restraunt Car will be based upon a old timey american diner from the outside, being named "Rail-Tastes"

[@stuartallen8791]

When will they be in service ?

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

Probably not until end of 2025

[@72xafalcon]

The XPT's are getting updated, does that mean the countrylink train's are are getting an update as well

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

These trains will also replace the Xplorer's and Endeavour's as well

[@Epic3032]

hang on the new regional trains, you can flip the seats but the D sets you can't?

[@SydneywithSam]

Because the d sets are not designed for as long of a trip so it is less pressing of an issue, the seats on the d sets are designed like the fixed seat tangaras, more padded but not flippable

[@locomotion4118]

@@Epic3032 The seat pitch on the D sets is too short to accommodate rotating seats.

[@Epic3032]

@@locomotion4118 Too short trips for, yes but most people get nausea when t raveling backwards.

[@locomotion4118]

@@Epic3032 then by your logic, at least half the train travellers in the UK and Europe get nauseous! This is a typical NSW entitlement issue.

[@cheapcharlie7]

Interesting the effects of being in an office can have on the human body

[@BizRon-dm8ye]

Wide, soft and pale. 😂🎉

[@vsetproductions]

In my opinion, those seats look like gamer seats but converted to passenger seats, but without the inclining. And there's no sleeper! So if I go on one of these CAF (Can't Aching Fix) trains at night, I might lay down on the floor and sleep there instead! Even if I'm getting sore necks. So the moral of the day when these trains are on is to just walk to Melbourne from Sydney! So good luck on walking to Melbourne in 9 days!

[@hmao4466]

Will it be able to exceed 60 KMS kph?

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

They're not going to be faster than the current XPT's. Tracks that were built 100+ years ago weren't exactly made with speed in mind.

[@rhettcorbett3346]

Would be happy to pay a bit more for ticket if there is quite a change from Economy to 1st Class. Because there is nothing different at the moment. Dont count leg room & recline as difference. Would like to see more comfortable seats & single seats in 1st class. A armrest on window. Because they there is nowhere to rest your arm. A different layout. Its own food carriage. So you dont have to go into Economy to get food. As for Sleeper Carriages. There should be more. And some Single Berth Sleepers as well. When will they listen to the customers as to what they want ???

[@peteshobbyrailway9513]

1st class DOES have single seating on one side of the centre aisle!

[@rhettcorbett3346]

​​@@peteshobbyrailway9513I did see that. Wasnt sure if it will actually be in production. Will they ever have one for the Public to enter & have a look ? Hopefully there is quite a improvement between 1st Class & Economy. And 1st Class gets its own food Carriage. So you dont have to walk to Economy for food.

[@barbaraBurns-jh3vz]

Why the hell do politicians wear safety glasses for these "photo opportunities" ? Are we meant to be stupid enough to believe they have been involved in the construction and/or manufacture?

[@Dave_Sisson]

Politicians will wear safety glasses, hi-viz vests and hard hats whenever they can, because they think the public will believe they are "doing something". I'm sure they would wear that stuff in the chambers of parliament if they were allowed to.

[@BizRon-dm8ye]

Cosplay. A lot of sit insides are childish, I have legit seen suits having egg and spoon races in parks. Look at me ma, I'm a big kid in a safety vest! I'm doing real work instead of circular discussions and online shopping. I even left the house, gold star for me!

[@timwalker5646]

hope they are more comfier then the xpt

[@slickstrings]

The people that made the decisions to use those horrific seats know they will never have to use them. I read a report somewhere that these particular trains (i believe they are built by a spanish company) have a terrible record of cracking frames and several European countries have had loads of problems with them, germany retiring them after just 4 years. Well done government, well done.

[@Seiskid]

In which our finger on the pulse minister is excited to discover that modern long distance trains actually have seats....

[@Thebibs]

No point in harping on on how modern they'll run; if theyre running on 100 year old tracks and turning on 100 year old tight radius curves. So you'll have a train running for over 12 hours, with no sleeping arranagments. yeah, good job.

[@australiantrains8988]

Very impressive, hopefully there will be no ongoing hissy fits with the RTBU and these trains get into service as quickly as possible, unlike the Mariyung sets laid up and yet to turn a revenue wheel near three years on.

[@aussiejohn5835]

5 years now. First Dset delivered December 2019.

[@locomotion4118]

I guess that all depends on whether the RTBU decide to use the new trains to get what they want for their members. So easy to play the safety card.

[@treefarm3288]

When?

[@yesbeautyfly]

NSW & VIC are so reluctant to electrify their networks. NSW is so important to electrify Southern Highland Line first & then extend to Canberra because it will be beneficial to ACT, where the federal funding comes from.

[@gwstonemason]

Pretty hard when the rail line is owned by ARTC a Federal Gov pretend corporation. btw, because of the inland rail line being built as far up the Melbourne to $ydney line as Junee, double decking freight trains will not allow overhead wiring. It's long well known ARTC want to get rid of long distance passenger trains off their freight lines.

[@fcfhkmelb]

The interior is so cheap looking and the seats seem very hard. Seriously can't they just look at Japan and learn how to properly design a train?

[@Djr67]

Whats the hard hats for? Incase the train falls apart while their in it?

[@curleyduck]

As a lot of ppl on here have commented, the lack of sleeper carriages is a real shame. At this rate, I think you would be better off flying which only takes a bit over an hour to get to places like Melbourne than travel sitting up all night, just sayin. Not sure who exactly comes up with these ideas but seriously its a bit of a FAILURE in this regard.

[@marciebalme588]

no sleeping car?

[@crazylesfarkas4486]

In 12 months Then the major rebuild In Dubbo of course or maybe

[@jg2341]

Will we still have to box bikes like we are in the stone ages?

[@letsnotargue]

Why the hard hats are they expecting the roof to fall in

[@dennismitchell-h9s]

Contract cancelled over 70 items not to specifications.

[@gwstonemason]

These people look like they've never been on a train in their lives. As someone who regularly uses the XPT between country Vic and $ydney it is vital to have sleeper compartments on these trains. Wake up NSW GovCo and listen to what people want.

[@terryashton3541]

What an absolute joke, the minister and her followers are spruiking about these so called `modern trains`, for goodness sake, the United Kingdom has had these and more modern ones for donkeys years, it's about time our Government thought about putting our rail system into the 21st century, especially with regards sleeper accommodations, we my wife and I have travelled many times between Sydney and Melbourne on the xpt and although it's comfortable in first class the allotted time allowed for the journey is a nonesence, we have not once managed to arrive at either destination on time, one journey took 11hrs and 45 minutes and on one journey to Melbourne because of our lateness, we were stuck in Broadmeadow for half hour till we could be given an allotted place into Southern Cross station, what a joke.

[@Mick_4591]

Whos the woman whos being shown around?

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

Jenny Aitchison, current "Minister for Regional Transport and Roads".

[@matthewb9824]

No mention of whether the train has wifi.

[@AsloAso]

That’s a very expensive mistake, this train will make sense in high speed rail but given it’s going on existing regional rail people will still op for driving or flying if they have to sit up right for the whole travel.

[@marysmith6966]

Windows look too small.

[@joannstanger4679]

didnt see an area for wheelchairs and walkers

[@jdillon8360]

but some of us like facing the "wrong" way on trains...

[@henrywhittaker2519]

The window are very small

[@JMPreacts]

Holy moly

[@David1701G]

Let's hope it doesn't turn into anotehr government disaster. Were due to design flaws means restrictions of the service of the trains

[@StephenKiely-y3j]

Where were they made certainly not in Australia overseas junk that will have many faults

[@JMPreacts]

I feel so embarrassed when I go on the new Xpt train

[@data65au]

Going to match Victoria’s max fare for a return journey $10.60 per day?

[@yesbeautyfly]

I think Melbourne to Albury is not within this cap. Opal Cap is still $50/week currently & this incl Manly Fast Ferry.

[@mjcats2011]

@@yesbeautyfly It is if you use V/Line as opposed to the XPT.

[@yesbeautyfly]

@@mjcats2011 So the best deal is V/Line to Albury then XPT to Goulburn then switch to SHL within Opal Network, right? Kiama to Newcastle and Gold Coast to Rockhampton had been electrified for decades, unfortunately so many diesel trains still run in VIC. How come major regional cities like Geelong, Ballarat & etc are still using air polluting low efficient trains? Impossible for regenerative braking & high on maintenance cost.

[@mjcats2011]

@yesbeautyfly Because unfortunately this and previous Governments are light on detail. Lines to at least Geelong and Ballarat should be electrified, but we are left with velocity trains, which are really unremarkable. Vic is so far behind NSW it's not funny.

[@data65au]

@@mjcats2011 I know the prices for tickets are so much lower

[@ec7152]

we wont see them in service for years

[@yesbeautyfly]

These new diesel trains will run a few decades so NSW & VIC are not intended to electrify the most important Interstate line. High speed railway in on the shelf. With the rise of budget airlines & technology flying will be just cheaper.

[@paultibbetts6603]

Staff dressed to match the train might be a safety issue....

[@the_clawing_chaos]

not a fan of the seats. Seems like they're following the airlines in reducing leg room.

[@Approvedhalalmemes]

Need to get some sleeper 😢.

[@waynebrookes3154]

The depot is to be in Dubbo???? That is ridiculous. It gets one XPT service a day. Very annoying to am ex railway man who saw hundreds of redundancies and many cost cutting measures and then to see a political decision that will cost thousands to get trains needing servicing all the way to Dubbo. Seating looks cramped, windows smaller than existing trains.

[@kevinshi44]

are they made in AUSTRALIA?

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

No, they were made by CAF in Spain.

[@grobbosixtyone]

@@WeenyBeanyHereThe same company who stuffed up the light rail for Sydney CBD?

[@jxmai7687]

@@grobbosixtyone Tell me you are not joking.

[@LamNguyen-tswb]

@kevinshi44 Spanish rubbish train running NSW Trainlink to replacing Australian made XPT, Xplorer, and Endeavour trains. I'm rather travel on V/Line Vlocity Trains, which is Australian made, and so is QR Tilt Train.

[@crazylesfarkas4486]

CAF=cheap as f__k