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The X set (used by AnyTrip) or XPT (short for "eXpress Passenger Train") is a diesel powered long-distance passenger train used by NSW TrainLink for its longer regional services.

It is the backbone of the NSW Regional Fleet

These trains have been in service from 1982, and are based on the Intercity 125 High Speed Train (HST) from Britain. The HSTs, however, have side engine coolers instead of top ones.

History[]

Index2

The first two motor cars produced commenced testing with a luggage van in the August of 1981. With a top speed of over 160km/h, on a demonstration run to Albury on 6 September 1981 the XPT set a new Australian rail speed record at 183 km/h. On a test run to Albury on 10 September 1992 the XPT travelled even faster, reaching speeds of up to 193 km/h between Table Top and Yerong Creek. However this record was broken by Queensland's QR Tilt Train in 1999, with a top speed of 210 km/h.

The first full XPT set (2 motors, 6 carriages) ran in January 1982, and the first revenue passenger service began on 8 April 1982 to Dubbo, replacing the diesel locomotive-hauled Central West Express. The next service was the Mid-North Coast XPT to Kempsey from May 1982. The Riverina XPT to Albury was introduced in August 1982, with services introduced to Canberra in August 1983 and Tenterfield or Armidale in 1984 (the Northern Tablelands XPT). The initial XPT livery was the red, orange and black, the 'Candy' livery of the then State Rail Authority of New South Wales.

Initially the XPT carried a fare surcharge compared to parallel locomotive-hauled services, however this was abolished in 1985. The XPT was a huge success, with high patronage forcing the government to order and deliver an additional 12 trailer cars to allow six sets of 7 passenger cars. This allowed the extension of the Mid-North Coast XPT from Kempsey to Grafton, becoming known as the Holiday Coast XPT from 1985.

XPT design

Power car diagram

Xpt sleeper

Passenger car diagram

Clindex

A Countrylink XPT In Action

In 1988, the Booz Allen Hamilton report issued by the newly elected Greiner State Government recommended the cessation of all-XPT country passenger services, citing their economic non-viability. This was considered politically unfeasible, so the report's alternative option of moving New South Wales to an all-XPT country passenger service was adopted, resulting in the progressive withdrawal of locomotive-hauled services. In 1989, CountryLink was founded as a business unit of State Rail to operate country passenger services, and from 1990, North Coast XPT services were extended to Brisbane and Murwillumbah, the Northern Tablelands XPT service was cut back to Tamworth, and the Canberra XPT was replaced by locomotive-hauled trains as no other CountryLink rollingstock as available.

Between 1990 and 1992, with the introduction of the CountryLink brand, the trains were repainted in a new blue, turquoise and white livery. In 1992, tenders were called for the provision of additional rollingstock and the refurbishment of existing passenger cars for the introduction of Southern XPT services to Melbourne. ABB in Dandenong, Victoria constructed four additional power cars, five new seating cars and eight new sleeper cars. The sleeper cars were introduced on services to Murwillumbah and Brisbane in 1993, the Tamworth XPT was withdrawn and replaced by an Xplorer set, and the daily Grafton XPT on the North Coast Line was introduced. Services to Melbourne began at the end of 1993, initially a single overnight service (replacing the Sydney/Melbourne Express) but later an additional daily service was introduced, by extending the XPT service from Albury, on the New South Wales/Victorian border through to Melbourne, an extra distance of approximately 320 kilometres, replacing the Intercapital Daylight Express (which had actually been withdrawn earlier in 1991). In 2004, with the cessation of services on the Murwillumbah branch line, the Murwillumbah XPT was cut back to Casino, becoming the Casino XPT.

In August 2019, some XPT power cars were temporarily withdrawn for maintenance due to crankpins coming loose which may cause a derailment if left unchecked. This caused the Sydney to Grafton service in both directions to be replaced by road coaches indefinitely. Starting on 29 September 2019, the Casino to Sydney service (in that direction only) was also temporarily replaced by coaches. Other services have not been affected.

The government is planning to replace the XPT's with the CAF Civity. These trains are expected to start running in the early 2020's and will improve safety, comfort and reliability. The Next Generation Regional Fleet will also feature bi-mode technology, meaning trains can run on overhead wires when running on electrified lines.[1]

Incidents[]

On 3 May 1991, an XPT locomotive derailed at Henty near the New South Wales-Victorian border, injuring the driver and six passengers.

On 27 January 2001, an XPT collided with a car on a level crossing in the Gerogery level crossing accident. Five people in the car were killed, and the train was derailed

On the 5th of May, 2010, an XPT collided with an excavator at Newbridge, near Bathurst, killing the operator.[2]

Power cars XP2000 and XP2018 were involved in a derailment at Wallan, Victoria on 20 February 2020. The train was scheduled to enter a passing loop, however for unknown reasons, the train did not observe the 15km/h speed limit for entering the passing loop. The train was travelling in excess of 100km/h, unable to negotiate the turnout and derailed. The train's driver and pilot, both in the front cab, sustained fatal injuries. due to Extensive damage, XP2018 was rebuilt and renumbered to XP2019[3].

Description[]

Xptnose

A XP power car

XP2000cab

The cab of an XPT

A XPT set consists of a number of different types of carriages:

Carriage Numbers Configuration
Comeng ABB
XP2000-2014 XP2015-2018 Driving cab, engine
XAM2175-2182 Crew compartment, DaySitter/Sleeper, shower/toilet between each room
XL2228-2232 XL2233-2236 Toilet, luggage compartment, first class seating, toilet
XBR2150-2158 Accessible toilet, wheelchair space, first class seating, buffet
XF2200-2224 Toilet, economy seating, toilet
XFH2104-2110, 2112-2113 Crew compartment, luggage compartment, economy seating, toilet

The usual configuration for Dubbo services is XP-XL-XBR-XF-XFH-XP and XP-XAM-XL-XBR-XF-XFH-XP for all other services. More passenger cars can be added to the middle in times of high demand (ie. school holidays).

There are four classes of travel available on XPTs: first, economy, DaySitter and sleeping berths. First and economy are both in a 2-2 layout, similar to airplane seats, with first having more pitch and recline than economy. DaySitter is a private room with 3 seats, while sleepers use the same rooms as DaySitter, with the seats folded down into beds. DaySitter/sleepers are not available on the Dubbo service.

Services[]

The XPT fleet are currently used on the following regional services:


New South Wales Rail Rollingstock
Suburban EMUs

Red Rattlers S set, K set, C set, T set (Tangara), M set (Millennium), A (Waratah) and B sets (Waratah Series 2)
Sydney Metro: Alstom Metropolis set


Intercity EMUs
U set, V set, H set (OSCAR), D set (Mariyung)


Country Trains
Retired: CPH railmotor (Tin Hare), Creamy Kate and Trailer, Silver City Comet, 400/500 class, 600/700 class, 620/720 class, 660/760 class, 900/800 class (DEB), 1100 class (Budd), 1200 class (Tulloch)
In Service: XPT, Xplorer, Endeavour, Hunter
Future: CAF Civity


NSWGR Diesel Locomotives
40 class, 41 class, 42 class, 421 class, 422 class, 43 class, 44 class, 442 class, 45 class, 47 class, 48 class, 49 class, 70 class, 71 class, 72 class, 73 class, 79 class, 80 class, 81 class, 82 class, 90 class, PL class, X100 class tractor, X200 class tractor


NSWGR Electric Locomotives
71 class, 46 class, 85 class, 86 class


NSWGR Steam
10 class, 11 class, 12 class, 13 class, 14 class, 15 class, 16 class, 17 class, 18 class, 19 class, 20 class, 21 class, 23 class, 24 class, 25 class, 26 class, 27 class, 28 class, 29 class, 30 class (3112), 30T class, 32 class (3237)(3265), 34 class, 35 class (3526), 36 class (3642), 38 class (3801)(3820)(3830), D50 class, D53 class, D55 class, D57 class, D58 class, D59 class(5917), AD60 class
SMR 10 class, ROD 2-8-0


Trailers
End platform, S type, N type, HUB, RUB, Stainless steel carriage stock


Light Rail
Adtranz Variotram, CAF Urbos 3, Alstom Citadis 305


Rail transport in New South Wales - Rail rollingstock in New South Wales - Sydney Trains Fleet - NSW TrainLink

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