Nsw Australia, Sydney Trains (t9 Northern, T1 North Shore & Central Coast Line)

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by vsettrain#9315, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. vsettrain#9315

    vsettrain#9315 New Member

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    Hello everyone. I know there's been a lot of suggestion posts on some Australian routes including one like this. But I thought I'd bring one back up and add to the list of suggestions made for Australian routes. So lets get started.

    About the Route
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    Here's a network map of the Intercity train lines that cover most parts of NSW opal network. I'll only be covering the "Central Coast & Newcastle Line" colour coded in Red.

    The Main Northern line in New South Wales connects two major cities, Sydney and Newcastle. Having regular intercity electric train services beginning from Central and finishing at Newcastle Interchange and regional trains like the XPT and Xplorer trains running interstate or services outside the range of electrification. Before electrification in 1960, trains were steam hauled from November 1929 to April 1988. Trains that ran on that line were very interesting and this included the 'Newcastle Flyer.' From Central station, the main hub on the Sydney Trains network, the line heads west entering a 6 track main suburban line from Redfern to Strathfield. Upon reaching Strathfield the line turns north entering the main northern line also known as the T9 Northern Line fro Strathfield to Hornsby and usually has 3-4 tracks allowing for the Intercity and Regional trains to pass the suburban trains. Past Bewora, the line becomes double track, here the line becomes more bushland and mountains in the outskirts of Sydney. The terrain is also steep and rugged, having reach Cowan station. This is the start of Cowan Bank and descends steeply with grades of up to 1:37 towards Hawkesbury River. The line also passes through a number of sharp turns, cuttings and tunnels, allowing the line to traverse the difficult terrain without being too steep for heavier freight trains. The line was deviated in 1909 and 1946 to further ease the gradient, creating two disused tunnels. After Hawkesbury River station, the line crosses the Hawkesbury River using a large bridge. It then continues along the banks of Mullet Creek also passing a very small station that can only fit one door of a train carriage known as Wondabyne. There are rainfall monitors set up in this section as there is a risk of landslide during heavy rain. After this section, the line is mostly unremarkable, passing through many towns in the Central Coast region. After Broadmeadow, the line turns onto the Newcastle Branch railway line, ending at Newcastle Interchange.

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    Hawkesbury River rail bridge. Image sourced from Wikipedia
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    Sydney trains network map. This map is seperate from the Intercity train map. If you want to see the stations of the T9 Northern line, it can be seen on this map.

    Distance/ Time length of Route

    Distance between Sydney Central Station and Newcastle Interchange is 165km (102 Miles) with journey times ranging from 2-3hrs depending on service you are on. Intercity express trains take up to 2hrs and 30 mins, Intercity all stops take up to 3hrs, Regional also take up to 2hrs and 30mins depending on on time running. Distance from Central to Hornsby via the North Shore line is 33.9km (21 Miles)

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    Comeng/ ABB built XPT train at Central station. Image sourced from wikipedia
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    Milsons Point station on the 'North Shore line' with a view from the Sydney Harbour Bridge

    The Trains

    Different trains run this part of the line and in rare occasions tour trains. Here is a list of trains that still or used to run the Main Northern line (Sydney to Newcastle), North Shore line and T9 Northern line including detailed history of each of the trains.

    Intercity U Set (U-Boat):
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    U Set on 'The Fish' seen at Central 1996. Image sourced from http://www.trainman.id.au/photos/nsw/electric/u-sets/


    Introduced in 1958, the U-Boats were built by Commonwealth Engineering, Granville and served Sydney Central to Gosford when electrification was completed to that part of the line in 1960 then to Newcastle in 1984. These trains are usually formed of 4 car sets and usually operated up to 10 cars. The Motor cars classed as second class were numbered CF5001 - 40. These motor cars use Metropolitan-Vickers, Manchester built series-wound DC traction motors per motor coach, each rated at 180 hp supplied from the 1,500V DC Catenary system. Other numbers for the trailer cars (no electrical equipment) are TF6001 - 20 (Second Class) and ETB6021 - 40 (First Class non-smoking). Withdrawal began in 1994 when the new Tangara G Sets came into service. The last U Set was withdrawn in November 1996, 30 carriages (12 motor cars, 18 trailer cars) were preserved

    Interurban V Set:
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    V Set V27 with DCT converted driver trailer cars at Central Station, December 2019. Note the different headlight position as this car used to have a destination board but was deemed it was pointless and was therefore removed and boarded over. Photo by me, Vernon Fernandez


    Introduced in 1970, these trains are Stainless steel double deck cars which operate on Interurban services on the Main Western line to Lithgow and Main Northern line to Newcastle. Having lived in 6 different paint schemes, they are the oldest in the NSW TrainLink fleet. They were delivered in 4 batches and had 8 series of different cars built by Commonwealth Engineering in Granville. Note this section will be quite long as these trains had the most interesting history

    First Batch V Set Cars (DCF, DDC, DTF, DTC) -

    The first 4 cars debuted on the. Sydney to Gosford route on 22nd June 1970 with the train targeted as F111. These 4 cars built from 1968were from the first batch (Coded DCF, DDC, DTF, DTC) of 16 cars altogether featured one-piece moulded glass reinforced plastic end in royal blue & grey livery (earning them the Blue Goose nickname), semi-automatic doors, electronically controlled brakes and double-glazed windows. They had a different style of headlight and interior lighting to subsequent builds.
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    First batch cars at Central station targeted at U21a 1977. Image sourced from https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/113771/

    Between March and December 1982 the cars were rewired at Electric Carriage Workshops, and the driver compartments removed and replaced by passenger toilets and luggage space. The reinforced plastic ends remained, albeit with the blue removed.

    The cars were subsequently renumbered:
    DCF 8001–8008 > DMT 9201–9207 (7 cars remained after writing off DCF 8004)
    DDC 9001–9004 > DDT 9208–9211
    DTF 9011–9012 & DTC 9021–9022 > DFT 9212–9215
    In 2002, these sets were withdrawn and scrapped following the discovery of rust in the steel frames.

    Second Batch V Set cars (DCM & DCT) -

    Ordered from October 1977, these cars had electrical equipment that was all mounted on the power car, using Mitsubishi Electric equipment; they had stainless steel under frames; were fitted with vacuum retention toilets, and had gold as opposed to green tinted windows. These cars were the first of the V sets, with the V showing that they were installed with vacuum retention toilets. They operated separately from the 1970 cars, as the two types were not compatible with each other. In 1990 DCT 9034 was refurbished by CityRail as a lounge car with lounge chairs and a kitchen for use as a charter car named Contura. It wasn't a success, not helped by poor marketing, and it was rebuilt as a conventional trailer (without controls) in 2000 and renumbered DET 9216. During the Citydecker refurbishment carried out by A Goninan & Co in the 1990s, DCT 9031-9036 had their driver controls reinstated and were recoded as DTDs allowing CityRail to introduce The River a two-car service from Wyong to St Marys. At the same time the DCMs were refurbished, receiving destination indicators and ditchlights. The refurbishment also saw the installation of air-conditioning in the driver's cabs of the DCMs, their lack of air-conditioning had a union ban preventing them being used as leading cars since 1995. DCM 8032–8036 were modified to have wheelchair seating, and recoded as DTMs. The DCMs that had destination indicators eventually had them removed and replaced with a metal blanking plate, after a decision not to use them on Interurban services. Some were withdrawn in 2011.

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    Second batch V Set V94 races through Toongabbie bound for St Marys. Image source unkown
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    A 2 car Second Batch V Set on a Historic Electric Traction tour passing Museum October 1997. Image sourced from http://www.trainman.id.au/photos/nsw/electric/v-sets/

    Third Batch V Set Cars (DJM & DIT) -

    These cars had major advances in technology seeing the new traction motor 'Chopper' control system fitted on the motor cars and these were designated DJM. They are smoother and quieter and distinguishable from the older Camshaft control cars. DJM 8123 - 8137 had even larger open grilles on the pantograph end.

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    Thrid batch V Set V64 at Gosford, April 1991. Image sourced from http://www.trainman.id.au/photos/nsw/electric/v-sets/

    Final Batch V Set Cars (DKM & DKT) -

    The final V sets were introduced in 1989, and they were the last carriages to be built by Comeng's Granville factory. These cars were coded DKM and DKT and are permanently coupled. There were several changes: the cars were finished in corrugated steel, instead of the previous inserted Budd fluting. Seating had separate seat backs. Instead of the push-pull doors inside the previous V sets, the DKs were fitted with an electronically operated vestibule door, and no door was installed at the gangway. The State Rail Authority wanted to order an extra 50 but funding was not available.

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    DK series V Set V40 at Central. Image sourced from https://www.mattypsrailwaypics.com/v-set-emu-oz.html
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    Upper deck on a DK series car prior NSW TrainLink refurbishment

    Outer Suburban OSCAR H Set:

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    Oscar H Set H22 at Central. Image sourced from Wikipedia

    Introduced in 2006, these trains were built by UGL Rail, Broadmeadow. These are formed into 55 4 car sets. The H sets are similar to the Fourth Generation Millennium Train but are more suited to longer distances, while the Millennium Trains are restricted to suburban runs on Sector 2. The layout and features of the OSCARs are similar to their predecessor the G sets. The OSCARs released some V Sets to allow services to be built up to eight carriages and 1977 built DCM and DCT carriages to be withdrawn.

    NIF (New Intercity Fleet):
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    NIF Set D102 at Central, January 2020. Photo by me, Vernon Fernandez

    Just recently introduced in 2019/ 2020, the NIF is here to replace the ageing V Sets. Built by Hyundai Rotem which were partnered with UGL, Mitsubishi Electric. The initial contract covered the supply and maintenance of the 512 carriages which would consist of 77 4-car trains and 34 6-car trains, as well as the construction of the Kangy Angy Maintenance Centre. which was completed in August 2020. A contract was let to Downer EDI to make modifications and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure across the electrified network to accommodate the New Intercity Fleet. Platform extensions at multiple stations were also required to accommodate the 10-car sets. The first two 10-carriage trains (D2, D102, D3, D103) were delivered in December 2019 and testing began the following month. The remaining trains are in the process of being delivered, with sets D4, 104, D5 and D105 having been delivered by October 2020.

    XPT Train:
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    XPT set with XP2000 leading passing Toongabbie , September 2019. Image by me, Vernon Fernandez

    Short for eXpress Passenger Train, the XPT is the main long-distance passenger train operated by NSW TrainLink on regional railway services in New South Wales, Australia built by Comeng. The XPT is based on the British Rail designed High Speed Train and entered service in April 1982.

    Xplorer Train:
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    Xplorer train seen at Queanbeyan River on the Canberra branch, January 2012. Image sourced from Wikipedia

    The Xplorer is a diesel multiple unit train operated by NSW TrainLink on regional rail services in New South Wales from Sydney to Armidale, Moree, Broken Hill, Griffith and Canberra. The first Xplorers entered service in October 1993, and are mechanically identical to but feature a higher level of passenger amenity than the Endeavour railcars. All 23 carriages were built by ABB Transportation in Dandenong, Victoria.

    Sydney Trains Tangara T Set/ G Set:

    Introduced in 1988, the Tangara (Aboriginal word of meaning 'to go') are formed of 4 car sets
    The first train (set T20) was unveiled at Sydney Central in December 1987, heavily promoted as the “train of the 21st century”, entering service in April 1988. The final T set (set T59) was delivered in February 1994 and the final G set (set T100, formerly G32) in October 1995.

    The cars built were:

    T set driving trailer cars: D6101-D6284 with additional spare cars D6285-D6289
    T set non-driving motor cars: N5101-N5284 with additional spare car N5285
    G set driving trailer cars: OD6801-OD6840 with additional spare car OD6841
    G set non-driving motor cars: ON5801-ON5820
    G set non-driving motor cars with toilet: ONL5851-ONL5870

    In 2009, the conversion of G sets to T sets began, to improve their suitability for suburban working as H sets took over their outer suburban duties. Conversion work consisted of the removal of toilets and their replacement with additional seating.

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    Tangara G Set G4 in Mortdale sheds. Image sourced from http://www.trainman.id.au/photos/nsw/electric/tangara/

    Sydney Trains Waratah A/ B Set:

    The Waratah design is based on the M set. The initial order for 78 series 1 Waratahs was the largest rolling stock order in Australia's history. These 626 A set carriages make up around half of the Sydney Trains fleet and replaced two-thirds of the 498 S set carriages. Delivery commenced in July 2011 and was completed in June 2014. The joint venture between Downer EDi Rail and Hitachi was established to design, manufacture and commission the series 1 trains. The stainless steel bodies were partially constructed by Changchun Railway Vehicles in China before being shipped to Downer EDI's Cardiff Locomotive Workshops facility for final assembly, testing and commissioning. Other infrastructure works included the construction of the Auburn Maintenance Centre and new substations at various locations around the network.

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    Waratah A Set A53 on the T8 Airport & South line. Image sourced from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/540291286537002997/

    Services

    There are a great range of services for this route as it includes Suburban, Intercity and Regional trains which use the Northern and North Shore line. From Central, there are 203 Intercity services, 29 services to Gordon via North Shore line from Hornsby and 294 services to Hornsby Starting from Hornsby going via North Shore Line then using the T9 Northern Line a day. For Regional trains, there are 10 services for the XPT and 2 for the Xplorer a day.

    Stopping patterns
    If you are unaware of the stations, please scroll back up and have a look at the Intercity or Sydney Trains map. We'll start off with the Suburban services using actual run numbers and trains. For 3 hour journeys in game, they can be either split in half to become 90 minutes and could include crew changes so the player could either take a break or rest

    Suburban patterns

    Hornsby to Hornsby (Via Central)
    Train 144J 8 Car Waratah - Dep. 11:25am Hornsby, (North Shore Line) Waitara, Wahroonga, Warrawee, Turramurra, Pymple, Gordon, Kilara, Lindfield, Roseville, Chatswood, Atarmon, St Leonards, Wollstonecraft, Waverton, North Sydney, Milsons Point, (City Circle) Wynyard, Town Hall, (Main Hub) Central, Redfern, Burwood, Strathfield, (Northern Line) North Strathfield, Concord West, Rhodes, Meadowbank, West Ryde, Denistone, Eastwood, Epping, Cheltenham, Beecroft, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, Normanhurst and Arr. 1:05pm Hornsby

    Central to Berorwa (via North Shore Line)
    Train 103H 8 Car Tangara - Dep. 12:12pm Central, (City Circle) Town Hall, Wynyard, (North Shore Line) Milsons Point, North Sydney, Waverton, Wollstonecraft, St Leonards, Atarmon, Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, Turramurra, Warrawee, Wahroonga, Waitara, Hornsby, (Northern Line) Asquith, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai and Arr. 1:14pm Berowra

    Intercity patterns

    Central to Newcastle Interchange (All stops)

    Train 299B 8 Car Oscar - Dep. 8:45am Central, Strathfield, Epping, Hornsby, Berowra, Cowan (SP4 Rear. 4 carriages), Hawkesbury River, Wondabyne (SP1r Rear door on last car), Woy Woy, Koolewong (SP1 Last Car), Tascott (SP1), Point Clare (SP4 Rear 4 Cars), Gosford, Narara (SP4), Niagra Park (SP4), Lisarow (SP4), Ourimbah (SP4), Tuggerah, Wyong, Warnervale, Wyee, Morisset, Dora Creek, Awaba (SP4), Fassifern, Booragul (SP4), Teralba (SP4), Cockle Creek (SP4), Cardiff (SP6 Rear 6 cars), Kotara (SP4), Adamstown (SP4), Broadmeadow, Hamilton and Arr. 11:41am Newcastle Interchange

    Central to Newcastle Interchange (Limited Stops)
    Train N123 4 Car Intercity V Set - Dep. 6:15am Central, Strathfield, Epping, Hornsby, Woy Woy, Gosford, Tuggerah, Wyong, Warnervale, Wyee, Morisset, Dora Creek, Awaba (SP4), Fassifern, Booragul (SP4), Teralba (SP4), Cockle Creek (SP4), Cardiff (SP6 Rear 6 cars), Kotara (SP4), Adamstown (SP4), Broadmeadow, Hamilton and Arr. 9:03am Newcastle Interchange

    Central to Newcastle Interchange (Express)
    Train N135 8 Car Intercity V Set - Dep. 9:15am Central, Strathfield, Epping, Hornsby, Woy Woy, Gosford, Tuggerah, Wyong, Morisset, Fassifern, Cardiff, Broadmeadow, Hamilton and Arr. 11:51am Newcastle Interchange

    Regional patterns

    Central to Broadmeadow

    Train NT31 (Brisbane) 7 Car XPT - Dep. 2:41pm Central, Strathfield, Hornsby, Gosford, Wyong, Fassifern and Arr. 5:04pm Broadmeadow

    Other services
    Freight
    Pacific National - Usually running once a day is the Interstate MB/BM (Melbourne - Brisbane) Intermodal container trains, Using locomoitves like the Goninan built NR Class or AN Class
    Sydney Rail Services - Running daily is train numbers 4190 & 1491. This train is hauled by Crawfords or leased to Crawfords PHC Class, CF Class, EL Class or VL Class locomotives between Sandgate (Hunter Valley) and Port Botany
    Southern Shorthaul Railroad - SSR run 2 - 4 coal trains a day using 7 of the available C44aci locomotives designated CEY Class CEY001-007. These trains run from Clarance or Vales Point West of NSW to Eraring power station near Fassifern or Newcastle (Port Waratah). Uncommonly you'll find vintage power either C Class locomotives

    Loco hauled EMU transfers
    SSR (Southern Short Haul Railroad) are contracted to haul these transfers, using old vintage diesels. These transfers are also sometimes transferring their own locomotives to different areas for different purposes. EMU Transfers include; Waratah A/B Sets, M Sets, NIFs, V Sets. These transfers start from either direction from Auburn Maintenance Centre to Cardiff Downer EDi

    Heritage
    One of the most interesting topics is heritage train tours. Trains can either start at Central or Strathfield and continue on to Broadmeadow then west onto the Hunter Valley Line. Locomotives vary between diesel, steam or even electric. Usual tours could vary from different organisations, i.e NSW Rail Museum (Owners of 3801 and other Locomotives/ Rollingstock), etc. These tours run at random dates and can also vary on the type of event.

    Conclusion

    To sum up, I reckon this route would be a great start to Australian content for Train Sim World as there is a lot of varieties of trains to drive a different experience, and a lot of scenery to explore along the way. There are different services to choose from and can be experienced from different era's. Sorry if this post is quite lengthy but it shows enough information about this route and its trains that run on it. Thanks for having a read,

    Vernon Fernandez

    Here are some more photos If you'd like!
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    SSR ALCO locomotive 44204 hauls Waratah transfer train no. 1479 through West Ryde bound for Cardiff Downer EDi. July 2019
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    SSR loaded Coal Train CA04 passes through Concord West with C44aci locomotives CEY006 "Fassifern", CEY002 "Lithgow" & CEY005 "Newcastle" on the head end bound for Newcastle. August 2020
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    Red Rattler Set F1 at Cowan while H55 (Bring the mob back home art) & HXX pass bi-directional heading to Central. Red Set F1 was on an Enthusiast tour called the Southern Nights Christmas tour visiting places a Red Rattler hasn't been in a while including Yards, Maintance Centres and stations. September 2020
     
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  2. jamesbaby286

    jamesbaby286 Well-Known Member

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  3. Justin Navarro

    Justin Navarro Member

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    I love this idea hope they do it im a huge fan of passenger services
     
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  4. Purno

    Purno Well-Known Member

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    I would love a change of scenery, so I'm upvoting this one. Not familiar with Australia, but these pictures look interesting. :)
     
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  5. StefanVXR8

    StefanVXR8 New Member

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    100% I live on the Central Coast and the route (particularly from Gosford to Berowra) is one of the most stunning rail journeys in the world.

    Would love to see this a release.

    Fantastic initial post by the way, some great info.

    Stef
     
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  6. jackmiller1234567890

    jackmiller1234567890 Well-Known Member

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    This would be the best way to introduce Australia into the Train Simulator franchise
     
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  7. jamesbaby286

    jamesbaby286 Well-Known Member

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    As an introductory route to Australia I don't know if this would be ideal. There is a lot of possible traffic and variety. So it would be useful to first make a more isolated route with trains that can be layered or substituted on to this route.
    Don't get me wrong I absolutely want to see this route made, but this route is one of the best routes in NSW to build after the groundwork, traffic and resources for the region are there. Much like Munich-Augsburg, or Koln-Aachen for TSW2.
     
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  8. vsettrain#9315

    vsettrain#9315 New Member

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    I totally I agree with you. This would or could be a way to big route to implement until core work is done to add more traffic into game, etc. However If they do end up doing this route. They can choose whether or not to go all the way to Newcastle or just Gosford, half way between Sydney and Newcastle
     
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  9. Sharpey

    Sharpey Member

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    Like V mentioned, I think Central - Gosford would be the ideal start. Both locations offer terminating points, and a variety of traffic can be operated.
     
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  10. Rennie

    Rennie New Member

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    Really do hope they will do the XPT service from Sydney (Terminal) to Brisbane (Roma Street).
     
  11. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Excellent idea and I have been on a V set DKM DKT 8143 and for Rush Hour Setting they can stand behind the Driver cab or stairs.
    DLC NSW CAF Civity dual Mode one of the scenarios might be technical issues.
    do your best to operate this Brisbane Roma St to Sydney Central during Rush Hour. At one point you will lose OHLE power. Complete the trip on Diesel
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2022

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