New South Wales XPT

Uncommon card · No. 194396

The XPT (short for Express Passenger Train) is a class of diesel-powered passenger train operated around eastern Australia built by Comeng and ABB. Based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train (HST), each XPT set comprises a power car on each end and, between them, from four to seven passenger carriages. The XPT was procured following a competitive tendering process, with an initial contract for 30 trainsets, comprising 10 power cars and 20 carriages, in March 1980. The design of the HST was substantially modified. Testing commenced in August 1981 and the first set entered service under the State Rail Authority during January 1982. The XPT proved to be considerably faster than existing trains, reducing the journey time between Sydney and Melbourne by up to two hours. Throughout the 1980s, additional XPT sets were procured, permitting the launch of services such as the Northern Tablelands XPT and the Riverina XPT. An XPT fare surcharge was discontinued in May 1985. During the early...

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