International Railroad Discussion > New South Wales TrainLink XPTs in Australia

When New South Wales in Australia was in the market for new regional passenger equipment in the early 1980s, they chose a design based on the British InterCity 125 HST (High Speed Train) which they call the XPT: Xpress Passenger Train. They ended up with 19 power cars, enough for nine double-ended trains with one spare power car. Today, the XPTs are used on daily trains between Sydney and Casino, Brisbane (QLD), and Dubbo, and twice daily to and from Melbourne (VIC). Over the years, the XPTs have worn a variety of paint schemes, but today all are in what was the most recent CountryLink scheme but with all lettering removed. Only XP 2013, the Starlight Express, currently wears a slightly modified scheme related to supporting hospitalized children. I saw that unit twice (including riding behind it once), but somehow did not end up with a photo of it. I apologize for how many of the shots are of the XPTs going away. This was driven largely by the schedules and lighting.

1. The daily daylight XPT from Sydney arrives at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne on October 10, 2017, a standard gauge train in the land of broad gauge. The rear power car is No. XP 2000 which once wore a special livery for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

2. The next morning the daylight train to Sydney loads passengers at Southern Cross Station. The lead power car is XP 2010.

3. The daily northbound XPT to Casino passes through East Maitland while a Pacific National loaded coal train heads for Newcastle on October 9, 2019. The rear power car is XP 2011.

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4. The daily northbound XPT to Casino is seen passing the station at East Maitland, NSW, on October 10, 2019, with rear power car XP 2005.

5. The daily XPT to Dubbo, NSW, departs the station at Katoomba on October 16, 2019. The lead power car is XP 2004.

6. Another view of the daily XPT to Dubbo departing the station at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The rear power car is XP 2000.

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7. The daily XPT sits at the station in Dubbo preparing for its return trip to Sydney on October 17, 2019. The power cars are XP 2004 and XP 2000.

8. The following day, the same train set (2004/2000) is once again at the Dubbo station loading passengers for the return trip to Sydney.

9. In Goulburn, NSW, the daylight daily XPT from Sydney to Melbourne has made its stop at the station the morning of October 23, 2019, and departs, crossing over back to left-hand running. The rear power car is XP 2010.

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10. On the east side of Goulburn, the daily daylight train from Melbourne to Sydney with XP 2007 on the rear is seen on October 23, 2019.

11. The daily daylight XPT from Sydney to Melbourne arrives at the station at Moss Vale, NSW, on October 25, 2019. The rear power car is XP 2016.

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Nice pics.I usually see the Sydney bound one through here(Wagga,  NSW ) early afternoons .Not sure where approx it crosses the south (Melbourne ) bound working.
Dont think they will be around much longer.
Regards,DK

Excellent set, thanks.

NMlurker Wrote in part:
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> When New South Wales in Australia was in the
> market for new regional passenger equipment in the
> early 1980s, they chose a design based on the
> British InterCity 125 HST (High Speed Train) which
> they call the XPT: Xpress Passenger Train. 

I was in Sydney in November 1987 and managed to get this shot of an XPT train in Sydney. I'm guessing this is the orignal livery. 
I note with interest that I cannot find a lcomotive number on my slide -- the power car however does bear the name City of Sydney.
Can someone inform me what is the number of that particular power car

WP17

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