URGENT UPDATE: Train delays persist as the highly anticipated new XPT fleet remains sidelined, despite ongoing dynamic testing. As of September 2025, regional rail commuters are still left in the dark about when these state-of-the-art trains will finally hit the tracks.
The NSW Government first announced the new regional rail trains back in February 2019, intending to replace the nearly 40-year-old XPT, XPLORER, and Endeavour trains. Currently, 29 modern trains are awaiting deployment, but only six have arrived in the country so far. A Transport for NSW spokesperson confirmed that the sixth train is now undergoing dynamic testing on the NSW rail network, while the others are at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre for static testing and completion works.
Despite the arrival of more trains, there is still no confirmed rollout date, raising frustration among commuters and officials alike. Earlier this year, only four trains were reported to be in the country. The situation remains critical with the testing period dragging on, as highlighted by Jenny Aitchison, the regional transport minister, during a visit in August 2024: “We’re now standing in front of a train that has arrived in Australia and is ready to start its testing journey.”
Local leaders are expressing their disappointment. Bathurst MP Paul Toole criticized the delays, labeling the situation as a “go-slow policy” from the NSW Labor Government. John Graham, Minister for Transport, emphasized the challenges of the previous administration’s decisions, stating, “They said it was too expensive to build trains in NSW and bought from overseas. Under them, this project was already three years late and $826 million over budget.”
The community is eager for the new fleet to enhance rail services. Dr. Peter Bilenkij from the Orange Rail Action Group anticipates that the new trains will provide significant benefits, including increased capacity and quieter operations. “We’d be looking at two services for Orange, running the same route as the Bathurst Bullet in the morning, on top of one at 4 PM,” he explained. “That’ll give people a choice of three trains a day.”
The ongoing delays not only affect daily commuters but also hinder regional development. Local residents are hopeful that the new fleet will eventually improve connectivity and service frequency. However, the timeline for these improvements remains uncertain until testing and necessary verifications are completed.
As the situation develops, commuters are urged to stay informed about updates regarding the new XPT trains. The hope is that with continued testing, these modern trains will soon be ready to serve the community, providing a much-needed upgrade to the regional rail network.
