The R sets are a class of

bi-mode multiple unit An electro-diesel multiple unit (EDMU) or bi-mode multiple unit (BMU) is a form of a multiple unit train that can be powered either by electric power picked up from the overhead lines or third rail (like an electric multiple unit – EMU) or by ...

s (EDMU) being built by as part of the Regional Rail Project to replace

NSW TrainLink NSW TrainLink is a regional train and coach operator in Australia, providing services throughout New South Wales and into Australian Capital Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria (state), Victoria, Queensland and South Australia ...

's ageing Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services, as well as

Sydney Trains Sydney Trains is the brand name and operator of Railways in Sydney, suburban and intercity train services in and around Greater Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The metropolitan part of the network is a hybrid urban rail, urban-suburban r ...

' Endeavour fleet for diesel intercity services.

History

In the lead up to the 2015 state election, the Baird Government committed itself, if re-elected, to replacing the XPT fleet (19 power cars and 60 carriages). Having been returned to office, in October 2016, the government announced it was also considering replacing the Xplorer (23 carriages) and Endeavour (28 carriages) fleets. In August 2017, the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets. In November 2017, three consortia, led by Bombardier, CAF and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains. In May 2018, the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process. A contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships. The order will comprise 117

bi-mode An electro-diesel locomotive (also referred to as a dual-mode or bi-mode locomotive) is a type of locomotive that can be powered either from an electricity supply (like an electric locomotive) or by using the onboard diesel engine (like a Diese ...

Civity carriages which will make up a total of 29 trains: * 10 long (6-car) trainsets for use on long-distance Regional services (replacing the XPT fleet) * 9 short (3-car) short-distance Regional trainsets (replacing the Xplorer fleet) * 10 short (3-car) Intercity sets (replacing the Endeavour fleet) All trains will be maintained at the purpose built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in

Dubbo Dubbo (; ) is a city in the Orana (New South Wales), Orana Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the largest population centre in the Orana region, with a population of 43,516 at June 2021. The city is located at the intersection of the ...

. The first complete 6-car unit arrived at Port Kembla on 14 February 2024 and was taken by road to Dubbo. On 30 September 2024, the set was transferred by rail from Mindyarra Maintenance Centre to

Auburn Maintenance Centre The Auburn Maintenance Centre is a train depot operated by Downer Rail responsible for the maintenance of the Sydney Trains A, B and M set fleets. History As part of the contract to build and maintain the Sydney Trains A sets, John Holl ...

in Auburn to prepare for mainline traction testing. On 25 February 2025, the same set commenced mainline testing on the

Northern Line The Northern line is a London Underground line that runs between North London and South London. It is printed in black on the Tube map. It carries more passengers per year than any other Underground linearound 340million in 2019making it the bu ...

between West Ryde and Epping. The fleet is planned to enter service between 2025 and 2029. File:LR02-Denistone-25-Feb-25.jpg, LR2 at Denistone station on the first night of testing, 25 February 2025 File:RDA2302-Denistone-25-Feb-25.jpg, RDA2302 at Denistone, February 2025 The new fleet has been criticised for its lack of

sleeper carriage The sleeping car or sleeper (often ) is a railway passenger car (rail), passenger car that can accommodate all passengers in beds of one kind or another, for the purpose of sleeping. George Pullman was the main American innovator and owner of sl ...

s, which are available on the XPT.

References

External links

{{NSWLocos, state=collapsed CAF multiple units Electric multiple units of New South Wales Hybrid multiple units NSW TrainLink Proposed public transport in Australia Train-related introductions in 2025