The first two of Sydney’s seventeen new Waratah Series 2 trains have arrived at the Port of Newcastle.
The new trains are part of the NSW Government’s $4.3 billion More Trains, More Services program.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen a rapid growth in the number customers travelling on the rail network which is why it is important we invest in new infrastructure, including new trains,” Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said.
The two trains will undergo some further testing and completion works in Cardiff before being hauled by locomotive to the Auburn Maintenance Centre where they will undertake testing on the Sydney Trains network.
“Most of the testing will take place at night and across the weekend to minimise the impact on customers,” Mr Constance said.
This is the second order of Waratah Series 2 trains made by the NSW Government since 2016, with the initial fleet of 24 trains now deployed on the Sydney Trains network. The extra 17 trains were ordered in February last year.
The new Waratah Series 2 trains feature:
- double deck cars
- priority seating
- wheelchair spaces and hearing aid loops
- air conditioning with advanced temperature control
- high definition customer information screens
- internal and external CCTV