Rail Observations 2025

[BAMBAM]

3 Oscars trains have today started their suburban journey. Their run numbers are 200, 201 and 202.

They are operating during peak hours for now while more crew will be trained and more sets are given back to suburban services when they are no longer needed on intercity runs.

Very disappointing to say the least with basically no work done on the interior as toilets are still there but locked off and only 1 Oscar set for new seatings while others didn’t.

[stupid_girl]

3 Oscars trains have today started their suburban journey. Their run numbers are 200, 201 and 202.

They are operating during peak hours for now while more crew will be trained and more sets are given back to suburban services when they are no longer needed on intercity runs.

Very disappointing to say the least with basically no work done on the interior as toilets are still there but locked off and only 1 Oscar set for new seatings while others didn’t.

With some A sets be cascaded to take over the remaining K set rosters?

[Scott4570]

As a result of the introduction of 3 x 8H sets to Suburban Working, from October 20:-
3 x 8A set Rosters, Sector 3, have been altered to 3 x 8H set Rosters, and
3 x 8K set Rosters, Sector 2, have been altered to 3 x 8A set Rosters. 8K set Rosters have been reduced from 11 to 8.

Also, as mentioned by Randomness, October 14, Weekdays, as from October 20, 1 x 4K set Roster has been introduced to replace 1 x 4M Roster for the Bankstown Line Shuttles.

[alleve]

https://youtu.be/XqqDgJep_EM?si=EmGDLd8n3_BqCxz3 here they are in service

[BAMBAM]

According to a post on Facebook by Chumrail, K sets K92 & K99 have been moved to Eveleigh Yards to be stored and disposed of when approval is given. This might be the first K sets to be withdrawn and sent to the scraps.

[Scott4570]

Set K99 consisted of two 2car sets (K3 & K4), since modified for use as a 4car set.

It's been reported on a YouTube Clip that the following K sets have been Retired:-
K67, K75, K81, K83, K86 and K96.

[boronia]

K94 was reported on the T6 a couple of days ago. Presumably its former partner is held as a spare?

[R44]

Very disappointing to say the least with basically no work done on the interior as toilets are still there but locked off

G Sets were the same when they got cascaded. Toilets remained in situ for some time. I've no hesitation in trusting that in good time, the toilets on the OSCars will also get removed.

I note that this is very possibly a fleet-availability thing in that if they need to run the Orange OSCars on an interurban run at least they have the toilets there still?

[BAMBAM]

Very disappointing to say the least with basically no work done on the interior as toilets are still there but locked off

G Sets were the same when they got cascaded. Toilets remained in situ for some time. I've no hesitation in trusting that in good time, the toilets on the OSCars will also get removed.

I note that this is very possibly a fleet-availability thing in that if they need to run the Orange OSCars on an interurban run at least they have the toilets there still?

But the transport minister was proudly showing off new painting and seating on all news outlets, so you''ll think they would've done a proper job. I remember when the G set went through this phrase, there wasn't any attention or showing off to the news outlet.

[Aurora]

Different times, now they latch onto any little bit of positivity they can find, that’s the 24 hour news cycle.

[Scott4570]

Sighted, Friday, October 24, 1700 hours, out the back of MainTrain Auburn, on the Unwired Roads, 2 x 4car K sets:-
(Sydney end) K88: 3578, 4244, 4217, 3551, and K98: 3501, 4096, 4097, 3502. (Note: Cars in K98 were previously 2car sets K1 & K2)

[Randomness]

https://www.mobility.siemens.com/au/en/ ... -line.html

Siemens Mobility to supply ETCS L2 on Sydney’s North Shore Line

Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract by Transport for New South Wales (Transport) for the Digital Systems Program Tranche 2 Trackside 2A, for design, supply and testing of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signalling technology on Sydney’s T1 North Shore Line. This 24km brownfield double track section between Hornsby and Townhall, is one of Sydney’s busiest rail corridors.

This contract builds upon Siemens Mobility’s previous contract in 2020 for the Tranche 1 rollout of a new Traffic Management System (TMS) and introduction of digital ETCS L2 signalling and train control from Sutherland to Cronulla, due to go live in the mid 2020s. The signalling solution also includes Train guard Radio Block Centre, WESTRACE MK2 interlocking systems, and enhanced cybersecurity measures. The project delivery will be staged across eight sections, enabling phased design, testing, and commissioning while minimizing disruption to everyday train services.

Raphaelle Guerineau, CEO Siemens Mobility Australia and New Zealand: "The Digital Systems Program Tranche 2 Trackside 2A represents a milestone in modernizing Australia’s rail network. Our progressive delivery method with a strong focus on customer collaboration and local signalling expertise ensures that we implement reliable, innovative signalling solutions with minimal impact on Sydney Trains operations. We are proud to support Transport’s vision for a safer, more reliable, and digitally advanced transport system."

This project is part of the NSW Government’s Digital Systems Program, replacing current signalling and train control technology with modern, internationally proven, intelligent systems, helping to improve reliability, increase capacity and enhance passenger experience on Sydney’s railways.

Good to see transport implementing it onto proper main lines now, although I would've thought the City Circle or Main/Suburban/Local lines of the Main South would've benefited more - previous discussion by Engineering on a different thread showing that the speed of these lines are somewhat limited by the proximity of signal spacing and capacity limited by having fixed train stops. The best argument against this might be Sydney Trains not wanting to fit the M sets and H sets with ETCS, but they already have cabinets for ATP anyways.

[alleve]

H sets run on this line now, don't they?

[Linto63]

Yes, and will do so more once cascaded.

[alleve]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39R_7MDDiUo and here is a video of one operating on the North Shore (along with some horrible noises).

So I don't think Sydney Trains are trying to avoid fitting H Sets with ETCS.

[rtt_rules]

Good to see transport implementing it onto proper main lines now, although I would've thought the City Circle or Main/Suburban/Local lines of the Main South would've benefited more - previous discussion by Engineering on a different thread showing that the speed of these lines are somewhat limited by the proximity of signal spacing and capacity limited by having fixed train stops. The best argument against this might be Sydney Trains not wanting to fit the M sets and H sets with ETCS, but they already have cabinets for ATP anyways.

Thanks for the post.

I thought the intent is to roll out everywhere as part of the bigger project so as to eventually remove the lineside signally and move to moving blocks?

I'm fairly certain the NSL max track speed is driven by its track alignment and that basically every train these days is an all stopper (with a few exceptions, mostly around Wav and WW where the trains are crawling anyway).

To my understanding the lower NSL was/is capable of 20t/h as timetabled at certain parts of the day, not sure for the upper shore section, assume the same as they can run 3min head ways if required.

To achieve greatness in reliability, the Nth Sydney (Hornsby) to Straithfield section will need to be fully upgraded to all 3min head ways with buffer to reduce to 2 - 2.5 min to allow for corrections from delays without causing a knock on effect until peak is over which is mostly what happens now in many delays.

[alleve]

Tangara upgrades:
https://youtu.be/-SMBJns9NnY?si=e8IRuem0h-23iH23

[Swift]

The 1:50 from Central to Newcastle interchange was cancelled today, a service I was depending on. I managed ok with the following service but it could have caused me worse inconvenience. I meant to get to the city earlier so I could aim to get the 1:20 service but missed the earlier inbound train due to difficulty getting a parking space at Woy Woy. I won’t be making that mistake again.
Do cancellations happen often with Mariyungs in service?
The Metro that I used from Epping to Gadigal went like clockwork. So fast and smooth. Amazed how quickly it scaled the harbour crossing.

[Stu]

BMT cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.

CCN cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.

[Aurora]

All part of the normal pattern with the special event trains running to and from Olympic Park along with all stops T2 trains turning Homebush and removal of some T9 services.

[Glen]

BMT cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.

CCN cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.

What's the link between special events at SOP and these trains being cancelled?

[Linto63]

Freeing up paths for Central to Olympic Park services.

[rtt_rules]

Freeing up paths for Central to Olympic Park services.

Whats happening?

Couldn't they just start the train from Penrith / Hornsby?

[Scott4570]

BMT cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:54 Central to Katoomba.

CCN cancelled services.
Friday 7/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Friday 21/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.
Tuesday 25/11/2025. 16:47 Central to Newcastle.

Freeing up paths for Central to Olympic Park services.

Whats happening?

Couldn't they just start the train from Penrith / Hornsby?

If we assume the bulk of the Passengers join the Service at Sydney Terminal, Strathfield, or Epping/Parramatta, then those Passengers will still need to travel to Hornsby/Penrith on other services.
This could cause overcrowding on existing Suburban Services.

The 10D set for each Service would have to be tabled to Hornsby/Penrith before the Sector 4 Olympic Park Services commence.
They would then need to Shunt the Set away for some hours before returning to the Platform to pick-up Passengers.
Platform and Yard Working at Hornsby/Penrith may need to be re-worked.

Therefore, it would seem Passengers are left to join the next Intercity Service.
However, for Passengers travelling West, it would seem they need to join the Service which leaves Sydney Terminal at 1641 hours, as they have altered this Service to stop all Stations after Emu Plains.
If Passengers join the West Service departing Sydney Terminal at 1711 hours, this has not been Altered and still runs Express.

[Glen]

Freeing up paths for Central to Olympic Park services.

That sounds like a very Sydney Trains way of doing things, cancelling long distance services at the height of the pm peak for an event that starts, what, after 7pm?