New South Wales XPT

New South Wales XPT
XP 2016 at Central station
Type and origin Power type Diesel Builder Comeng, Granville ABB, Dandenong Build date 1981–1994 Total produced 19
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Bogies PJA Wheel diameter 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in) Length 17.35 m (56 ft 11 in) Width 2.89 m (9 ft 6 in) Height 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in) Axle load 19 t (19 long tons; 21 short tons) Loco weight 76 t (75 long tons; 84 short tons) Prime mover Paxman Valenta (as built) Paxman VP185 (from 2000) Engine type diesel Traction motors 4 × Brush TMH68-46 MkIII 373 kW (500 hp) 65:20 gear ratio Cylinders 12 Transmission Diesel-electric Couplers Knuckle
Performance figures Maximum speed Service: 160 km/h (100 mph) Record: 193 km/h (120 mph) Design: 200 km/h (125 mph) Power output 1,492 kW (2,001 hp) per power car
Career Operators NSW TrainLink Numbers XP2000–XP2017, XP2019 First run 8 April 1982

The New South Wales XPT (short for eXpress Passenger Train) is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB. Based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train, each XPT set comprises two XP power cars in a push-pull configuration and, between them, between four and seven passenger carriages.^[1]

The XPT was procured following a competitive tendering process under an initial contract for 30 trainsets, comprising 10 power cars and 20 carriages, in March 1980. The design of the InterCity 125 was substantially modified. Testing commenced in August 1981 and the first set entered service under the State Rail Authority during January 1982. The XPT proved to be considerably faster than existing rolling stock, reducing the journey time between Sydney and Melbourne by up to two hours.

Throughout the 1980s, additional XPT sets were procured, permitting the launch of services such as the Northern Tablelands XPT and the Riverina XPT. An XPT fare surcharge was discontinued in May 1985. During the early 1990s, sleeping cars were procured, permitting the XPT to effectively take on overnight services such as the Sydney/Melbourne Express. There were also advanced plans made for additional XPTs to be produced for Thailand, however these were later abandoned. The XPTs are presently operated under NSW TrainLink, running on long-distance regional and interstate North Coast, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales and interstate into Victoria and Queensland.

The trains have been subject to refurbishments and overhauls to permit their use into the twenty-first century. During October 2016, the NSW government announced the XPT fleet would be entirely replaced as part of the Regional Train Project. The replacement fleet, originally set to enter service in 2023, has encountered delays (now scheduled for around 2025–2027), thus the XPT will operate longer than originally anticipated with the potential for them to be retained after the new trains enter service.