COMMUTERS and other users of Gloucester railway station may notice maintenance or improvement work being carried out between mid-November and mid-December.
NOTA has previously reported on the much-delayed plans by the NSW Government to replace the existing XPT trains which service Gloucester, although no date has been announced for the introduction of the replacement fleet, which was scheduled to begin operations in January 2023.
However, some of the new trains have arrived in NSW and are now being prepared for use on NSW tracks.
Intensive testing is under way across electrified and non-electrified networks, according to Transport for NSW’s (TFNSW) website.
“The trains can travel using both overhead electric and diesel power – an Australian first for passenger rail,” it stated
“The first regional rail train will enter passenger service upon the completion of testing, modifications and safety accreditation.”
The start date for the new trains may be edging closer as station modifications to accommodate them at North Coast stations have been announced.
It’s anticipated that the work at Gloucester will be carried out between 17 November and 18 December. Wingham, Dungog and Maitland stations will also be upgraded.
“At Gloucester, new car markers and lighting upgrades will be installed on the platforms,” the TFNSW spokesperson said.
“The station will remain open, and there will be no impacts on passenger services during this work.”
The department will advise residents of nearby properties before the work begins.
Gloucester railway station opened in 1840, with a major revamp in 1977.
By John WATTS
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