Back on the trains again! NSW Trainlink Hunter Railcar review

It's been a little while since I last did a train review, so let's jump onboard another train! Exclusive to the Hunter Valley, the Hunter railcar has been a staple of Newcastle rail travel since late 2006, and along with the Endeavours, travels regularly between Newcastle, Telerah, Scone and Dungog.
Today's review showcases the Hunter railcar, which had a slightly surprising origin. To find out more, you'll just have to watch this video I guess?
Anyway, I rather like the Hunter railcars as they are better suited to stop-start services than the Endeavours, thanks to their wider doors. The interior layout is also better for wheelchair accessibility, with accessible toilets and flip up seating available.
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Image references- Creative Commons images used in this video:
620/720 Railcar: JROBBO, CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
Transwa Prospector Railcar: DBZ2313 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
Hunter Railcar in CityRail livery: Jason Antony, CC BY 2.5 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons

[@robertcameron2808]

I worked for Trainlink and asked Rob mason who was the ceo why we didn't buy more of these rail cars he told me that production line had finished a great pity they are a great unit keep up the good work a nice little video

[@Approvedhalalmemes]

Just wondering how do you get a job at Trainlink working as a intercity or regional driver. Do you have to start off as a guard or something?

[@sunrise4productions17]

As someone who uses these trains a lot (from Dungog). I don't see a massive problem with the seats, although they could be better. It is a public train. Personally I like the Endeavors a bit more because I feel that they have better ride quality along with generally less intense lighting; but overall I like the Hunter Railcars and I would say that the Dungog part of the Hunter Line might be one of the most beautiful parts of the network. At least where i've traveled. In conclusion, Great Video.

[@glenstransportvideos]

Nice video mate!

[@PilotMcbride]

Living in the upper Hunter, the seats in these rail cars are like sitting on builders planks. They’re ok for short runs but get painful after about half hour. The old rattlers were far more comfortable. Long distance comfort was thrown out with these. I’m disabled and elderly so I have no choice of travel mode.

[@Tryinglittleleg]

You've gotta catch it to Scone because it's where they really open up and go around 150 through Muswellbrook and Singleton

[@LiftsInAustralia]

Was waiting for this. Thanks for doing this, always had a strange interest in the Hunter Railcars/J sets. I've ridden two of these BTW, J7 and J2.

[@TalkingPlanning]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed- the Hunter railcars are pretty neat. I've caught a few of them now, i think they are pretty neat too.

[@calebgeary4330]

I love these j class hunter rail cars. Every time I'm in Sydney I make the trek up to Hamilton on the electric Newcastle interchange v set train to Hamilton and catch the hunter rail car from Hamilton to Maitland and back.

[@stuartl8565]

Do you think that at one stage the Hunter Railcars will have another refurbishment. Which could allow for some more comfortable seats to be introduced.

[@TalkingPlanning]

Who knows? Might even be able to be timed with a cleaner and more efficient powertrain upgrade!

[@lorenzostransportvlogs]

I've never actually thought about gears on trains but now that you mentioned it, I'll have to listen out for them when I'm on an endeavour next after lockdown ends and things become safer (hunter cars are too far from Sydney for me to catch)

[@TalkingPlanning]

It's only something you'll notice on diesel-mechanical trains, like most railcars. Stay safe down in Sydney!

[@sonicrings694]

I really like the j sets engines

[@TalkingPlanning]

They're not bad hey! I miss being able to catch them on a semi-regular basis. Unfortunately, Newcastle is now a 6 hour drive away for me.

[@sonicrings694]

Yea

[@sonicrings694]

I live three hours away from Newcastle and I want to catch this train but it’s to risky because of covid so I will try to catch them next time

[@ducky_the_helper]

They're identical to Melbourne's Vlocitys