The Sydney to Grafton XPT is returning to the tracks, says the NSW government, ‘restoring a vital rail link for regional communities as services return from 28 April’.
In a media release they say, ‘After a year of coach replacements during essential fleet upgrades, the Minns Labor Government is ensuring the Grafton XPT train service will run once again from Sydney through the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast, bringing this critical connection back for regional NSW’.
‘It’s not just the train service making a comeback. As a nod to the popularity of the original livery, two power cars, called ‘The City of Sydney’ and ‘The City of Grafton’, and 6 carriages will be painted in the distinctive black, red, silver and warm white branding used by the State Rail Authority in the 1980s when the XPTs were first introduced into service. The first return service of the Grafton XPT will run as a full set in this livery.
‘Sydney to Grafton train services will resume from Tuesday, 28 April at 11.47am while return services from Grafton to Sydney kick off 29 April with the 05.15am service.
‘This transformation forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s $40.3 million XPT Life Extension Project – necessitated by the Liberal-National privatisation and delays on the new regional rail fleet.
‘To keep the services reliable for regional communities, the XPT has undergone major upgrades and restoration, including:
‘ • mechanical work to improve service reliability
‘ • new carpeting and refurbished seats
‘ • maintenance to improve operation of the air-conditioning and toilets
‘After its initial run as a special ‘back to the future’ train on the resumed Grafton XPT service, the retro-painted power cars and carriages will be used across the broader NSW TrainLink network.
‘Throughout the 12 month coach replacement of the Grafton train service, the north coast, including Grafton has continued to be serviced by two other daily return train services – the Casino and Brisbane XPT’s.
‘Bookings can be made now for these train services at transportnsw.info/regional-travel‘.
Originally, the XPT ran from Sydney to Murwillumbah. NSW Labor took the trains off the tracks between Grafton and Murwillumbah in 2005.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
