I live 150 meters from the track between Gosford and Kangy Angy and can really confirm how quiet they are. We see H sets, V sets, freight trains and they all make normal rail noise, the D sets however are whisper quiet. If I happen to be looking that way when they pass i honestly can’t hear them coming, where as every other train enters the view after my brain has heard the sound and expected their appearance. Is quite surreal to be looking that direction and suddenly see a train pass that my senses weren’t alerted to!!
I live by the track in Leonay close to Lapstone Station, and in the Nepean River Holiday Village (near Emu Plains) on weekends. Can't wait to hear the difference!
The noise level of these "D" set Rotem trains is about half that of the V sets and a bit quieter than the H sets near the beginning of the Lapstone horseshoe bend . That was my observation trackside "adjacent road" , during wet weather testing to Katoomba this time last year .
I'm glad the style of seating will stop the 'cross seats sleepers' that destroy this train journey. As you alluded to I can see the spare seats will just become places for inconsiderate passengers to load their bags. I hate catching this train because of the 'seat ownership' that is embedded in so many daily users, the afternoon journeys is a magnet for drunks and drug affected people. I totally argue against your idea that speed isn't important. Maybe you don't understand the idea of 'time is money'. Slow trains mean less services and more of your free time destroyed by inefficient rail networks.
I never said speed wasn’t important, these trains will eventually have faster running times when they get their own timetable rather than that of a V set. The Govt should (as I mentioned at the end) upgrade as much of the line as possible to 160 and probably also look to quad tracking more of the line.
@@thetrainguy4 What areas would be doable for quad track? Could they re-route the service to run via Chatswood? If that line had enough capacity I would think that it would be significantly faster due to being more direct-and allow through-running to the Airport, the South Coast, and the Blue Mountains, massively improving rolling stock utilization.
North shore line is not a good idea, it can’t be fully quad tracked, there’s dwell issues at central etc etc etc. Do proper quadding of the suburban main north (quad the bridge to start with). There have been suggestions of a tunnel bypassing the Cowan bank for faster passenger journeys and there is much space particularly near Newcastle where two extra tracks could be layed. Anything is possible.
The issues with luggage is a big issue. In past experiences on the CCN, even during peak hour you can see multiple rows of seating being used for luggage storage which will probably be a major issue with these trains especially considering an 8 car D set has a slightly lower capacity than a 8 H or V set
Definitely considering referencing this video when discussing certain points about the Mariyung (D-set) Trains you've mentioned. Great video and hope the journey was enjoyable from all the way out at Newcastle.
Great coverage. I rarely use intercity trains, but good to know their features. It’s as if your description matched my check list of points of interest.
Great stuff mate. Very informative. I gotta admit the interior looks a lot better than what I expected. Definitely a fan of the interior colour palette, makes the train look like a Waratah crossed with a spaceship! 😂
Thnx for the bike rack bit. Still not convinced. I have a XL Downhill bike with 29in rims & 800 mm wide bars. Will not use them if it is going to damage my $1000 rim or bike. Will have to go to Central & take a trip on one. Since it will be ages before they are on the Illawarra Line. Also have noticed the announcementon current trans. The recorded voice messages are perfect volume. But the Guards annpuncements are poor. You can hardly hear them.
ECTS trackside is just called ATP level 2 in NSW. This is not a new project. But level 1 only became operational within the past 24 months, after being recommended by the waterfall investigation. Be waiting a while for level 2.
Nah. Trackside is a part of all etcs (1LS, 1, 2 etc). In 1LS (current system) it supervises speed and only a few signals, thus signal sighting remains a factor in speed limits. In 1 (what this would likely involve) the signalling still determines capacity but as all signals are fitted signal sighting is no longer a concern and thus no longer affects speed limits. 2 becomes the signalling system and completely replaces the existing one but will only be used in high capacity areas. In NSW 1LS is called ATP, 2 is called ‘cab’ or ‘digital signalling’ and will be commissioned later this year hopefully on the Cronulla branch.
that diagram is really nice 6:45 - i was wondering which carriages were missing on the 8 car set and it is the Motor with the ambulant toilet and the trailer with the luggage rack at entrance level. we shall wait for those to enter service
Good review! However, I’m not sure why you say storing bikes vertically (at 06:00) can cause them damage? This led me down a Google rabbit hole and the vast majority of advice (well, at least that I could find) is that’s it’s perfectly safe to store bikes vertically (some manufacturers even recommend it). The only exception I could find was in relation to bikes with carbon rims (which aren’t that common) … but even then, a lot of websites suggested that they should be fine too. 🚲 Cheers!
It’s not great for the rims over time but 2 hours isn’t going to do anything. Best practise internationally is to leave the wheels on the ground. It’s much better than nothing though, that’s for sure!
Just on the line speed comment at the end, I think there is a lot more to it than the anecdote or some politician tells us, unfortunately: 1. there are several Trains employees now saying the overhead would need a significant upgrade/adjustment to be able to lift line speeds to 135-160kmh and there is no plan for this 2. I am not to sure what exactly the ETCS trackside piece will mean, but at present the ancient signalling is a significant limitation on those faster speeds on many sections with the track geometry that would enable 135-160kmh running 3. drivers might need some additional qualifications Any new section of track we might build in the future, like say Thirroul tunnel or some rebuilding of the unecessary S curves between Tuggerah and Morisset, would be easy to set up for 160kmh running though.
1) OHLE can be tensioned further, there are standards for 160km/h contact speed. 2) The whole point of further trackside is to mitigate the current signal sighting limitation by allowing drivers to ‘see’ red signals and speed restrictions >10km ahead on their drivers desks. 3) sure but that’s not hard.
@@thetrainguy4 Thanks for clarifying - 1) I have seen a lot of staff posting on reddit that the overhead tension isn't a trivial matter. It is way outside my area of expertise though so I will leave that up to others and you certainly know more than I do. 2) if we are spending money to upgrade signalling (we should), why not go all the way to the proper digital upgrades, how much cheaper are the lineside components you are talking about compared to doing it properly? Full digital signalling allows us to push all the infrastructure to the limits of the infrastructure and bunch trains up much more closely together, there are photos out of Melbourne where you have 3 or 4 trains bunching into the same track within eyesight looking down the line. 3) probably not hard, agreed - but it is something.
To allow 160 with ETCS you are effectively ’doing it properly’ considering this is a main line with other, non fitted traffic. You need to maintain a national system for the non fitted trains BUT can layer extra features to fitted trains with full supervision ETCS L1. Digital Systems (L2) need all trains to be fitted which is not happening any time soon.
@thetrainguy4 yeah I see your point, what is it about the Victorian signalling that permits 160 running even on the busy combined sections outside Melbourne that see frequent trains at those speeds?
That was a perfect video, thankyou. 10/10, good pace, selection of content, and style. EDIT: Appreciated the technical review of the ride quality very much.
In fact, that reminds me the M1 Metro is a bit wobbly in the lateral movement. Could you do a review of that? Frankly I’m a bit worried because it’s brand new track, new wide and straight corridor, and the running speed isn’t ambitious.
Oh yeah that. The metro has very conical wheels which let it go faster round tight bends but at high speeds they ‘hunt’ (wobble from side to side more). Google ‘hunting oscillation,’ that’s the technical term.
I think there is a lot more to it than the anecdote or some politician tells us, though: 1. there are several Trains employees now saying the overhead would need a significant upgrade/adjustment to be able to lift line speeds to 135-160kmh and there is no plan for this 2. I am not to sure what exactly the ETCS trackside piece will mean, but at present the ancient signalling is a significant limitation on those faster speeds on many sections with the track geometry that would enable 135-160kmh running
@@BigBlueMan118 But all are possible, especially as smaller discrete projects. Much as the former RTA used to do to quietly upgraded major roads where there was no appetite for big bang spending or freeway-standard announcements. You just keep at it.
Around the time of the planning for D-sets, the state government was seriously considering a project to increase train speed to Newcastle/Lithgow/Wollongong. That project was cancelled.
@@realjohnboxall not entirely, it was moved into the national high speed rail authority which is currently putting together a business case for Syd-Gosford-Newcastle
@@BigBlueMan118 yep and I wish them the best of luck. I also will take the chance to crack a joke and say "and then this too will go in the bin when the government changes in 2025 or 2028", and that's even if the incoming government likes high-speed rail ... if they want to do it too, they'll just start again. Like they always do.
I think the Oscars might be operating on T1, T4, and T9. But, I think Waratahs and Tangaras might need to Operate on the T1 and T9 To Help with Frequency and Patronage. The Tangaras will be on Sector 1 and 2.
Oscars will run on sector 3 (T1 and T9) and have all maintenance at the sector 3 depot (Hornsby). The Tangaras will all move to sector 1 (T4) and run out of mortdale depot. Some Waratahs will be moved to sector 2 to replace the k sets. They want to consolidate fleets for simplicity’s sake, having Hornsby only maintain Oscars and mortdale only Tangaras is much easier and cheaper, as well it makes timetables easier to write.
@@peterhatch206 Lots and lots of safety regulations. Every single set has to do thousands of km testing and be approved by the national safety regulator after their modifications.
I really don’t see why the rtbu would not like the idea of passenger operated doors smh 🤦♂️. Especially when they’re gonna have people sitting in the vestibule on cold winter days in the blue mountains, plus it keeps the heat out everywhere in Sydney
By taking over sole control of the doors the RTBU have ensured continuing employment for guards. From the RTBU’s perspective, job security is more important than passenger comfort. They will no doubt come up with a few spurious arguments like dwell time and safety. And yet on many other railways all around the world, passengers routinely operate doors without any issues.
Many of us are rapidly and violently nauseated by travel in rearwards-facing seats. A layout like this effectively halves the capacity of the train and thus, on busy services (most of them) we are forced to stand for 2.5 hours or be ill.
The rest of the world somehow manages with half the seats facing backwards. I suspect most people who claim this are exaggerating slightly. If what you say is true, you can try to find a forward facing seat or ask someone to trade, otherwise unfortunately that’s just tough. You can’t please everyone, I guess.
Mainly between ourimbah and morriset (some is 160 already and a lot of it was 160 before being dropped to save maintenance costs and increase headway). Some of it could possibly do 200 with infra mods (overhead and signalling) but the D sets wouldn’t do that. Best to focus on the slowest bits of the line (junctions and tight curves), that’s how you decrease journey times.
I hate rating things but for Sydney standards I’ll give it a 9. Comfortable for 3 hours no problem, rides very well, lots of amenities. Don’t like the doors and announcement clarity and it’d be nice if the facing seats had a proper table and a bit more legroom.
Lmao what? It’s not discrimination, it’s the BMT needing the most preparatory work of the three lines and crew needing more training and new route knowledge. Settle down!
Problem is civil servants don’t have to think about clients . In the time it’s taken to introduce these trains Sspace X has invented a reusable rocket and put into space enough satellites to cover the earth for mobile digital .
Space X is a fever dream funded by a right wing conspiratorial fucker who ran an illegal lottery supporting a criminal who is now president elect. Btw space x’s whole purpose is to put people on mars. Why? What benefit could that possibly have on anyone?
@ Wow a leftie fruit loop . Elon has developed the electric car industry, created the batteries that saved solar and winds arse , developed reusable rockets , developed starlink so that 3rd world do not have to Invest in infrastructure. Is developing technology so that the blind will see and the paralysed walk Had saved twitter from the censorship of the CIA and FBi so that we have free speech . Is giving his time to ensure Govt is efficient and smaller so that the American workers will keep more of their wages . Good luck with your socialism mate it has never worked .
Looks like cityrail travellers need to get themselves USB data blockers to protect their devices from hackers or just use your charger brick in the 240v power port
The train usb ports would be power only. If you’re petty you can get a power only (no data) usb cable so there’s no way for any files/scripts to transfer. That’s a bit much though, the risk is very small.
@@thetrainguy4 yup that's what people believe till it happens and it's happened a lot around the world where there are public power only charge ports that have been changed out for ones to hack a device. Banks told us that skimming could not happen on there devices well yeah that lasted not long at all. Police and security agencies around the world have been warning us for a couple of years to never plug into an unknown USB port
I don't think the Union said this but if I remember correctly, when G sets were introduced they had operatable buttons. These were deactivated because, and I kid you not, people were not used to pushing a button so they complained about it.
The fixed seating and open vestibules are unforgivable. Our services are too slow, especially in suburban areas & Cowan Bank & Helensburgh to tolerate sitting backwards on a crowded train. This isn't like Europe or even Victoria, where 160km/h running is commonplace. And on the Blue Mountains line, you don't want to let out all the warm air on a sub-zero morning!
1) they are forgivable- they’re very comfortable. As for vestibules they can’t reasonably have them due to limitations of platform gaps and dwell time reduction (these trains will get very busy). 2) I sat backwards all the way from Newwy and it was fine. The rest of the world does it, we can too. 3) blame the union for the door buttons.
As someone from Europe, living near a line with a 60km/h (yes 60, not 160) top speed and no reversable seats, I have to ask: How does the speed of a train (or the line it runs on) change if it's tolerable to sit backwards?
Spending 4 billion dollars on new trains without any time savings on the commute is a complete waste of money. That kind of investment could have been far better used to straighten tracks on key routes like those between the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, and Wollongong to Sydney, significantly improving travel efficiency for commuters. Prioritizing infrastructure upgrades over shiny new trains would deliver real, tangible benefits for everyone.
@@thetrainguy4 The V sets have well and truly served their time well. I travelled on them daily for about 10 years, slept many hours on them and they are burnt into my memory very positively. However they cannot last forever and are overdue for replacement.
I love the V sets and find them very comfy. But, some of them really do feel like they're going to shake apart, being upwards of 40 or 50 years of age. I wonder how many million km some of them have done. Accessibility is also an issue. I've noticed that wheelchair users have little choice, but to ride the train alone at the ends of the carriages where the doors are located, while friends and family sit in the passenger compartment. There isn't really much room in the ends and there is a lot of noise and vibration there. I have ridden in one carriage with seats removed that would allow greater flexibility in terms of accessibility, but I'm not sure that was the actual intent behind the removed seating given the doors between compartments interfere with accessibility.
The V sets are so old the companies that made them don't even exist anymore. Parts for them are sparse, if not impossible to source. Multiple sets have been ravaged for their parts. Anything safety critical has to be custom engineered and manufactured for mega $$$$. Time for the V sets to go
I'm *so* glad this was the first video that came up on the algorithm after launch. Yours was the best review, and by a wide margin. I'd like to take this opportunity to close the loop on an early bit of history with the D-sets - the launch of the project had ambitions, and as normal, a lot of them will be dropped before placing the order, let alone never arrive on delivery (or entering service, another 5 years later). What I'm referring to is: Cafeterias on board. Can you believe it! This was mentioned way back when, and good on her for trying - "her", as I think it was as long ago as Gladys B. being the transport minister. Amazing. I didn't think it was possible to achieve but it was nice to at least try to Have Nice Things. Speaking of which, I'm going to go to your supporters page now because your videos count as one of life's Nice Things, I've decided. I just released a video from months ago that I really liked, was also yours.
I live 150 meters from the track between Gosford and Kangy Angy and can really confirm how quiet they are. We see H sets, V sets, freight trains and they all make normal rail noise, the D sets however are whisper quiet. If I happen to be looking that way when they pass i honestly can’t hear them coming, where as every other train enters the view after my brain has heard the sound and expected their appearance. Is quite surreal to be looking that direction and suddenly see a train pass that my senses weren’t alerted to!!
I live by the track in Leonay close to Lapstone Station, and in the Nepean River Holiday Village (near Emu Plains) on weekends. Can't wait to hear the difference!
The noise level of these "D" set Rotem trains is about half that of the V sets and a bit quieter than the H sets near the beginning of the Lapstone horseshoe bend . That was my observation trackside "adjacent road" , during wet weather testing to Katoomba this time last year .
I'm glad the style of seating will stop the 'cross seats sleepers' that destroy this train journey. As you alluded to I can see the spare seats will just become places for inconsiderate passengers to load their bags. I hate catching this train because of the 'seat ownership' that is embedded in so many daily users, the afternoon journeys is a magnet for drunks and drug affected people. I totally argue against your idea that speed isn't important. Maybe you don't understand the idea of 'time is money'. Slow trains mean less services and more of your free time destroyed by inefficient rail networks.
I never said speed wasn’t important, these trains will eventually have faster running times when they get their own timetable rather than that of a V set.
The Govt should (as I mentioned at the end) upgrade as much of the line as possible to 160 and probably also look to quad tracking more of the line.
@@thetrainguy4 What areas would be doable for quad track? Could they re-route the service to run via Chatswood? If that line had enough capacity I would think that it would be significantly faster due to being more direct-and allow through-running to the Airport, the South Coast, and the Blue Mountains, massively improving rolling stock utilization.
North shore line is not a good idea, it can’t be fully quad tracked, there’s dwell issues at central etc etc etc.
Do proper quadding of the suburban main north (quad the bridge to start with). There have been suggestions of a tunnel bypassing the Cowan bank for faster passenger journeys and there is much space particularly near Newcastle where two extra tracks could be layed. Anything is possible.
The issues with luggage is a big issue. In past experiences on the CCN, even during peak hour you can see multiple rows of seating being used for luggage storage which will probably be a major issue with these trains especially considering an 8 car D set has a slightly lower capacity than a 8 H or V set
@@Thatonestrangefella can imagine thieves are attracted the these luggage racks - they're so close to the door
Just sit next to the stack?
You’ll notice if someone tries to drag your bags up the stairs for sure.
V sets also have luggage stacks except rarely anyone uses it for some reason
Definitely considering referencing this video when discussing certain points about the Mariyung (D-set) Trains you've mentioned. Great video and hope the journey was enjoyable from all the way out at Newcastle.
Great coverage. I rarely use intercity trains, but good to know their features. It’s as if your description matched my check list of points of interest.
Great stuff mate. Very informative. I gotta admit the interior looks a lot better than what I expected. Definitely a fan of the interior colour palette, makes the train look like a Waratah crossed with a spaceship! 😂
Hey again sir, I too do like the Mariyungs very much, and your vids help me relax at times :)
Thnx for the bike rack bit. Still not convinced. I have a XL Downhill bike with 29in rims & 800 mm wide bars. Will not use them if it is going to damage my $1000 rim or bike. Will have to go to Central & take a trip on one. Since it will be ages before they are on the Illawarra Line. Also have noticed the announcementon current trans. The recorded voice messages are perfect volume. But the Guards annpuncements are poor. You can hardly hear them.
ECTS trackside is just called ATP level 2 in NSW. This is not a new project. But level 1 only became operational within the past 24 months, after being recommended by the waterfall investigation. Be waiting a while for level 2.
Nah.
Trackside is a part of all etcs (1LS, 1, 2 etc).
In 1LS (current system) it supervises speed and only a few signals, thus signal sighting remains a factor in speed limits.
In 1 (what this would likely involve) the signalling still determines capacity but as all signals are fitted signal sighting is no longer a concern and thus no longer affects speed limits.
2 becomes the signalling system and completely replaces the existing one but will only be used in high capacity areas.
In NSW 1LS is called ATP, 2 is called ‘cab’ or ‘digital signalling’ and will be commissioned later this year hopefully on the Cronulla branch.
that diagram is really nice 6:45 - i was wondering which carriages were missing on the 8 car set and it is the Motor with the ambulant toilet and the trailer with the luggage rack at entrance level. we shall wait for those to enter service
A great video. It's fantastic to see these wonderful trains finally in service.
Good review! However, I’m not sure why you say storing bikes vertically (at 06:00) can cause them damage? This led me down a Google rabbit hole and the vast majority of advice (well, at least that I could find) is that’s it’s perfectly safe to store bikes vertically (some manufacturers even recommend it). The only exception I could find was in relation to bikes with carbon rims (which aren’t that common) … but even then, a lot of websites suggested that they should be fine too. 🚲 Cheers!
It’s not great for the rims over time but 2 hours isn’t going to do anything. Best practise internationally is to leave the wheels on the ground. It’s much better than nothing though, that’s for sure!
Theyre really nice.. yes... But morons will destroy it though like ripping seats apart, spilling food and drinks on sests and floor, etc ect
sure. will need to be maintained appropriately. this will hopefully be part of the routine inspection if the sockets get damaged etc
Great video thanks for sharing, I am looking forward to hopefully getting on a d set soon
half of the comments is a warzone and the other half isn't. This was a lovely video mate, well covered.
Excited to try them soon!
Just on the line speed comment at the end, I think there is a lot more to it than the anecdote or some politician tells us, unfortunately:
1. there are several Trains employees now saying the overhead would need a significant upgrade/adjustment to be able to lift line speeds to 135-160kmh and there is no plan for this
2. I am not to sure what exactly the ETCS trackside piece will mean, but at present the ancient signalling is a significant limitation on those faster speeds on many sections with the track geometry that would enable 135-160kmh running
3. drivers might need some additional qualifications
Any new section of track we might build in the future, like say Thirroul tunnel or some rebuilding of the unecessary S curves between Tuggerah and Morisset, would be easy to set up for 160kmh running though.
1) OHLE can be tensioned further, there are standards for 160km/h contact speed.
2) The whole point of further trackside is to mitigate the current signal sighting limitation by allowing drivers to ‘see’ red signals and speed restrictions >10km ahead on their drivers desks.
3) sure but that’s not hard.
@@thetrainguy4 Thanks for clarifying -
1) I have seen a lot of staff posting on reddit that the overhead tension isn't a trivial matter. It is way outside my area of expertise though so I will leave that up to others and you certainly know more than I do.
2) if we are spending money to upgrade signalling (we should), why not go all the way to the proper digital upgrades, how much cheaper are the lineside components you are talking about compared to doing it properly? Full digital signalling allows us to push all the infrastructure to the limits of the infrastructure and bunch trains up much more closely together, there are photos out of Melbourne where you have 3 or 4 trains bunching into the same track within eyesight looking down the line.
3) probably not hard, agreed - but it is something.
To allow 160 with ETCS you are effectively ’doing it properly’ considering this is a main line with other, non fitted traffic. You need to maintain a national system for the non fitted trains BUT can layer extra features to fitted trains with full supervision ETCS L1. Digital Systems (L2) need all trains to be fitted which is not happening any time soon.
@thetrainguy4 yeah I see your point, what is it about the Victorian signalling that permits 160 running even on the busy combined sections outside Melbourne that see frequent trains at those speeds?
@BigBlueMan118 They fitted lines with TPWS (search on wiki) and spaced signals far enough apart.
Damn Sydney! These look nice!
That was a perfect video, thankyou. 10/10, good pace, selection of content, and style.
EDIT: Appreciated the technical review of the ride quality very much.
In fact, that reminds me the M1 Metro is a bit wobbly in the lateral movement. Could you do a review of that? Frankly I’m a bit worried because it’s brand new track, new wide and straight corridor, and the running speed isn’t ambitious.
Oh yeah that.
The metro has very conical wheels which let it go faster round tight bends but at high speeds they ‘hunt’ (wobble from side to side more). Google ‘hunting oscillation,’ that’s the technical term.
@@thetrainguy4 OMG is that the cause?? So the addition of Barangaroo caused this!?
Nah Alstom use the same wheels for all their metro stock
That little tidbit of 160km/h running has me intrigued. Even the ambition is admirable.
I think there is a lot more to it than the anecdote or some politician tells us, though:
1. there are several Trains employees now saying the overhead would need a significant upgrade/adjustment to be able to lift line speeds to 135-160kmh and there is no plan for this
2. I am not to sure what exactly the ETCS trackside piece will mean, but at present the ancient signalling is a significant limitation on those faster speeds on many sections with the track geometry that would enable 135-160kmh running
@@BigBlueMan118 But all are possible, especially as smaller discrete projects. Much as the former RTA used to do to quietly upgraded major roads where there was no appetite for big bang spending or freeway-standard announcements. You just keep at it.
Around the time of the planning for D-sets, the state government was seriously considering a project to increase train speed to Newcastle/Lithgow/Wollongong. That project was cancelled.
@@realjohnboxall not entirely, it was moved into the national high speed rail authority which is currently putting together a business case for Syd-Gosford-Newcastle
@@BigBlueMan118 yep and I wish them the best of luck. I also will take the chance to crack a joke and say "and then this too will go in the bin when the government changes in 2025 or 2028", and that's even if the incoming government likes high-speed rail ... if they want to do it too, they'll just start again. Like they always do.
How exciting, they can't arrive in the Blue Mountains soon enough for me! 😊
I’m going to miss my beloved v sets. I’ll miss the reversible seats more
I think the Oscars might be operating on T1, T4, and T9. But, I think Waratahs and Tangaras might need to Operate on the T1 and T9 To Help with Frequency and Patronage. The Tangaras will be on Sector 1 and 2.
Oscars will run on sector 3 (T1 and T9) and have all maintenance at the sector 3 depot (Hornsby). The Tangaras will all move to sector 1 (T4) and run out of mortdale depot. Some Waratahs will be moved to sector 2 to replace the k sets.
They want to consolidate fleets for simplicity’s sake, having Hornsby only maintain Oscars and mortdale only Tangaras is much easier and cheaper, as well it makes timetables easier to write.
According to Sydney Trains CEO, Blue mountains is next in 2025, then South Coast 2026.
Why so slow
@@peterhatch206 Lots and lots of safety regulations. Every single set has to do thousands of km testing and be approved by the national safety regulator after their modifications.
The audio in the carriages definitely need to be improved!
I really don’t see why the rtbu would not like the idea of passenger operated doors smh 🤦♂️. Especially when they’re gonna have people sitting in the vestibule on cold winter days in the blue mountains, plus it keeps the heat out everywhere in Sydney
By taking over sole control of the doors the RTBU have ensured continuing employment for guards. From the RTBU’s perspective, job security is more important than passenger comfort. They will no doubt come up with a few spurious arguments like dwell time and safety. And yet on many other railways all around the world, passengers routinely operate doors without any issues.
Many of us are rapidly and violently nauseated by travel in rearwards-facing seats. A layout like this effectively halves the capacity of the train and thus, on busy services (most of them) we are forced to stand for 2.5 hours or be ill.
The rest of the world somehow manages with half the seats facing backwards. I suspect most people who claim this are exaggerating slightly. If what you say is true, you can try to find a forward facing seat or ask someone to trade, otherwise unfortunately that’s just tough. You can’t please everyone, I guess.
When do the XPT and Xplorer sets get replaced?
XPT from 2026, allegedly Xplorers and Endeavours in 2027 onwards.
wish vline had trains as nice as this
4 seats per row??
What places are potential/current 160 running?
Is there any possible location for 200? Can the D sets be upgraded for that?
Mainly between ourimbah and morriset (some is 160 already and a lot of it was 160 before being dropped to save maintenance costs and increase headway).
Some of it could possibly do 200 with infra mods (overhead and signalling) but the D sets wouldn’t do that. Best to focus on the slowest bits of the line (junctions and tight curves), that’s how you decrease journey times.
How often do they operate i want to take a ride on them
Use the website I linked
Great video! Just a quick question, what do you rate the train out of 10 and why?
I hate rating things but for Sydney standards I’ll give it a 9. Comfortable for 3 hours no problem, rides very well, lots of amenities. Don’t like the doors and announcement clarity and it’d be nice if the facing seats had a proper table and a bit more legroom.
Why not a bar where friends can gather after work on their way home to the mountains or The gong
Only one toilet?
Per 4 car set.
6 car sets have 1 accessible and 1 ambulant.
8 cars = 2 accessible,
10 cars = 2 accessible, 1 ambulant.
No canteen no bar
Pain in the neck that the west suffers discrimination. I at 79 might be dead before I can get one from Emu Plains to Parra or the city. Mutter.
Lmao what?
It’s not discrimination, it’s the BMT needing the most preparatory work of the three lines and crew needing more training and new route knowledge.
Settle down!
You can catch a nice modern Suburban train to Parra or the city from Emu Plains if you dont like the V-sets
Happy with the V-sets. Just that I will probably not get to ride on their what look to be great replacements.
@@NSWLancerthe depot is located on the CCN line and was always going to be first. Yours are coming soon than most people think.
Problem is civil servants don’t have to think about clients . In the time it’s taken to introduce these trains Sspace X has invented a reusable rocket and put into space enough satellites to cover the earth for mobile digital .
Space X is a fever dream funded by a right wing conspiratorial fucker who ran an illegal lottery supporting a criminal who is now president elect.
Btw space x’s whole purpose is to put people on mars. Why? What benefit could that possibly have on anyone?
@ Wow a leftie fruit loop .
Elon has developed the electric car industry, created the batteries that saved solar and winds arse , developed reusable rockets , developed starlink so that 3rd world do not have to Invest in infrastructure. Is developing technology so that the blind will see and the paralysed walk
Had saved twitter from the censorship of the CIA and FBi so that we have free speech .
Is giving his time to ensure Govt is efficient and smaller so that the American workers will keep more of their wages .
Good luck with your socialism mate it has never worked .
Looks like cityrail travellers need to get themselves USB data blockers to protect their devices from hackers or just use your charger brick in the 240v power port
The train usb ports would be power only. If you’re petty you can get a power only (no data) usb cable so there’s no way for any files/scripts to transfer. That’s a bit much though, the risk is very small.
how can they steal your data through the usb?
@@thetrainguy4 yup that's what people believe till it happens and it's happened a lot around the world where there are public power only charge ports that have been changed out for ones to hack a device.
Banks told us that skimming could not happen on there devices well yeah that lasted not long at all.
Police and security agencies around the world have been warning us for a couple of years to never plug into an unknown USB port
@@Roadrunnerz45 same way your computer can access your USB devices when you plug them in
No different to any other USB usage in any other public place
Emu is a weird name for a train.
Tangara is a bird, Waratah is a flower, at least emus are fast?
Why was the union against doors being operated by buttons?
I’d love to hear the reasons. I can’t guess any.
I don't think the Union said this but if I remember correctly, when G sets were introduced they had operatable buttons. These were deactivated because, and I kid you not, people were not used to pushing a button so they complained about it.
@@Nick-kz6dg cause they are the most unreasonable bullies and grubs in Australia - they're without common sense
@@kimjonguunnn That's … hardly a reason. Not even a safety thing.
@@whophd could be reason like covid19.
your diagram looks nothing like the first service from Newcastle they were split into two sets yet you show connections for the entire length.
Come again? What diagram?
The diagrams show a 4 car and a 6 car set. The first service was an 8 car set made of two 4 car sets.
Yeah of course but I was explaining the consist of a 6 car set for when they enter service. I made clear they weren’t yet…
So it's a glorified H set.
So much better than an H set.
This channel resorting to censoring comments again *sigh* smh 🤦♂️
Uh no it didn’t? I haven’t removed any on this video yet.
The fixed seating and open vestibules are unforgivable. Our services are too slow, especially in suburban areas & Cowan Bank & Helensburgh to tolerate sitting backwards on a crowded train. This isn't like Europe or even Victoria, where 160km/h running is commonplace. And on the Blue Mountains line, you don't want to let out all the warm air on a sub-zero morning!
1) they are forgivable- they’re very comfortable. As for vestibules they can’t reasonably have them due to limitations of platform gaps and dwell time reduction (these trains will get very busy).
2) I sat backwards all the way from Newwy and it was fine. The rest of the world does it, we can too.
3) blame the union for the door buttons.
I agree. Obnly IDIOTS would accept the seating.
@@thetrainguy4 But you are a STOOGE. If you were told to walk backwards, you would.
As someone from Europe, living near a line with a 60km/h (yes 60, not 160) top speed and no reversable seats, I have to ask: How does the speed of a train (or the line it runs on) change if it's tolerable to sit backwards?
Colin wtf are you saying buddy?
I don’t care if I sit backwards. Your loss if you do, I’ll take the seat on the 3 hour journey. Grow up.
FIRST ONE TO WATCH
Spending 4 billion dollars on new trains without any time savings on the commute is a complete waste of money. That kind of investment could have been far better used to straighten tracks on key routes like those between the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, and Wollongong to Sydney, significantly improving travel efficiency for commuters. Prioritizing infrastructure upgrades over shiny new trains would deliver real, tangible benefits for everyone.
Trains need replacing eventually.
@@thetrainguy4 The V sets have well and truly served their time well. I travelled on them daily for about 10 years, slept many hours on them and they are burnt into my memory very positively. However they cannot last forever and are overdue for replacement.
I love the V sets and find them very comfy. But, some of them really do feel like they're going to shake apart, being upwards of 40 or 50 years of age. I wonder how many million km some of them have done.
Accessibility is also an issue. I've noticed that wheelchair users have little choice, but to ride the train alone at the ends of the carriages where the doors are located, while friends and family sit in the passenger compartment. There isn't really much room in the ends and there is a lot of noise and vibration there. I have ridden in one carriage with seats removed that would allow greater flexibility in terms of accessibility, but I'm not sure that was the actual intent behind the removed seating given the doors between compartments interfere with accessibility.
The V sets are so old the companies that made them don't even exist anymore. Parts for them are sparse, if not impossible to source. Multiple sets have been ravaged for their parts. Anything safety critical has to be custom engineered and manufactured for mega $$$$. Time for the V sets to go
I'm *so* glad this was the first video that came up on the algorithm after launch. Yours was the best review, and by a wide margin. I'd like to take this opportunity to close the loop on an early bit of history with the D-sets - the launch of the project had ambitions, and as normal, a lot of them will be dropped before placing the order, let alone never arrive on delivery (or entering service, another 5 years later). What I'm referring to is: Cafeterias on board. Can you believe it! This was mentioned way back when, and good on her for trying - "her", as I think it was as long ago as Gladys B. being the transport minister. Amazing.
I didn't think it was possible to achieve but it was nice to at least try to Have Nice Things.
Speaking of which, I'm going to go to your supporters page now because your videos count as one of life's Nice Things, I've decided. I just released a video from months ago that I really liked, was also yours.
Thanks for the kind words and support!