Last week Sydney to Dubbo’s XPT service, the WT27, has special significance as it marks 40 years since its first revenue passenger service in NSW.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the express passenger train (XPT) was ground breaking at the time, when its first passenger service headed along the same railway line to Orange on 8 April 1982. 

“With their aerodynamic design, the XPTs are much loved by the community and many people have fond memories of travelling on them or seeing these trains pass through their country town or farm,” Mr Farraway said. 

Each week, 42 XPT services run to and from Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane, Dubbo, Grafton and Casino.  

Since 1982, it is estimated the XPTs combined have clocked up more than five million operating hours and more than 235 million kilometres. 

“With the XPTs having served regional communities over the past four decades, they will be progressively replaced, along with the Xplorer and Endeavor trains by a new regional rail fleet. The first new trains are expected to be running from 2023, with the full fleet coming in to service progressively.

“The XPTs have played a part in many people’s lives and some of our staff have spent their whole careers on and around the XPTs, as onboard customer service staff, drivers and station staff,”

“As well as showcasing the regions to the train travelling tourist, the XPTs connect country people with family and friends, help boarding school students get to school and allow people to access medical services, when they have few other travel options. 

“Happy Birthday to the XPTs and we are proud of the service this fleet has provided to regional customers.”