Passenger Rail, Rolling stock & Rail Vehicle Design

First new Waratahs enter final testing phase

The first of Sydney’s new Waratah Series 2 trains have entered their final stage of testing, and the State Government says all 24 should be in service early next year.

More than a quarter of the 24 new trains have arrived from China, and three trains are now in testing. All trains are expected to be delivered, and in service, by early next year, as part of the state’s $1.5 billion More Trains, More Services program.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and transport minister Andrew Constance took a ride on a test train on July 12, and said the addition of 24 more trains would mean all services on the Sydney Trains network would now be air conditioned.

“The testing being carried out is to ensure all systems are operational and reliable before our first customers come on board with final checks being carried out on the electronic information systems, such as the internal and external CCTV,” Constance said.

“Most of the testing has taken place at night and across the weekend to minimise the impact on customers, however, they will now start to simulate regular passenger services by making stops at stations.”

Constance said priority would be given to services on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line, the T3 Bankstown Line, and the T8 Airport & South Line, as the new trains are rolled out.

“We are catering for the growing demand of people relying on public transport and it won’t be long until these trains start carrying customers in the areas where older trains are currently running,” he said.