More than 33 years ago, the newly established dedicated daily XPT service between Sydney and Grafton made its inaugural journey. Today, following 12 months off the tracks for major upgrades under the XPT Life Extension Project, the service will depart Central Station once again.
The $40.3 million XPT Life Extension Project is a five-year program to overhaul the state's long-distance fleet, ensuring reliable and comfortable rail services for our regional communities.
The scale of the work has been significant, with around 60,000 hours invested into the refurbishment program, supporting up to 40 jobs and transforming the train inside and out before it returned to service today.
These upgrades are being carried out after the former Liberal-National Government failed to deliver a new regional train fleet, despite promising it more than a decade ago. The lack of action left regional passengers relying on ageing trains that no longer met modern standards.
As part of the project, Sydney Trains' Auburn Heavy Maintenance Centre is delivering major mechanical upgrades and fully refreshed interiors to the XPTs.
The return of the Grafton XPT also marks a tribute to the train's place in regional history, with the first service operating in the iconic heritage livery that made the XPT instantly recognisable when it first entered service in the early 1980s.
A full train in the retro candy livery will run from Sydney to Grafton, departing Central Station just before midday today and arriving in Grafton tonight, before returning early tomorrow morning.
Passengers on the first service will travel on trains fitted with refurbished seating, upgraded air-conditioning, new carpets and improved onboard systems - delivering a more comfortable and dependable journey from Sydney through the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast.
Trainspotters and members of the public can view the train as it makes its way north from Sydney, through the Hunter and up to Grafton.
After its initial run as a special 'back to the future' train on the resumed Grafton XPT service, the retro-painted power cars and carriages will be used across the broader NSW TrainLink network.
Bookings are now open at transportnsw.info/regional-travel
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
"The Minns Labor Government said we would invest $40.3 million into the XPT Life Extension Project. Today, as the first service of the refurbished Sydney to Grafton fleet pulls into Central Station, our regional communities are seeing the benefits of that investment. Reliable and comfortable trains back on the tracks.
"Coming from a regional community myself, I understand just how important reliable public transport is - particularly our rail services. When services aren't up to scratch, it doesn't just affect the journey, it affects people's ability to travel when and where they need to.
"I'm delighted we've reached this milestone, and delivered it within the timeframe we promised regional NSW."
