XPT Brisbane to Sydney Part 3 - Macksville to Wauchope, Kendall & Taree with Regional NSW TrainLink

Watch more railway videos and travel films / @kartwheelkarl
For 41 years, the New South Wales XPT sets (short for Express Passenger Trains) have been providing long distance regional train services within the state and across two state borders into Victoria and Queensland. Introduced in 1982, the Comeng/ABB Transportation built XPT trains are based on the British Rail Intercity 125 HST, with passenger cars based on a design by Budd. The power cars are actually 50 cm (19.7 in) shorter than their UK cousins, but the XPTs were initially powered by the same Paxman Valenta engines, albeit downrated from 2,250 bhp to 2,000 bhp (1,680 to 1,490 kW) and with their gearing lowered for a top operating speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). These engines have since been replaced by Paxman VP185 engines. The XPT suspension was also modified to operate on inferior track, and there were changes to both air filters and cooling systems to cater for hotter and dustier Australian conditions. Just one train a day reaches the Queensland capital of Brisbane, leaving Sydney at 14:41 and travelling overnight to arrive in Brisbane at 04:53 the following morning, although on the day of our journey, it was slightly delayed, arriving at 05:05. After a short layover, during which the compartments in Coach A are converted from two berth sleepers to three seat 'daysitters', the train returns south. The journey to Sydney is booked to take 14 hours and 17 minutes, with 23 intermediate stops, and it provides a vital transport service to regional areas, with multiple bus connections from places such as Tweed Heads and Byron Bay feeding the long distance trains. Given that the flight between Brisbane and Sydney takes a mere 95 minutes, we were probably the only people travelling the entire distance on this train. But what a fantastic experience it was! In this third video, we continue our journey south. Leaving the Nambucca Valley behind us, we head for first for Kempsey and then Wauchope, where we cross the Hastings River. We pass through Kendall, a small town with a population of around 1,200, before ending Part 3 on the banks of the Manning River in Taree. I must apologise for the reflections on the glass; the huge windows in the Budd coaches have highly reflective surfaces to deal with extreme heat, and this made filming in bright light incredibly challenging. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this video and the others in this series. Please leave comments below, and watch out for Part 4 where we will continue our epic journey from Brisbane to Sydney on the NSW XPT.
Durante 41 años, los conjuntos XPT de Nueva Gales del Sur (abreviatura de Express Passenger Trains) han brindado servicios de trenes regionales de larga distancia dentro del estado y a través de dos fronteras estatales hacia Victoria y Queensland. Introducidos en 1982, los trenes XPT construidos por Comeng/ABB Transportation se basan en el British Rail Intercity 125 HST, con vagones de pasajeros basados ​​en un diseño de Budd. Los autos motorizados son en realidad 50 cm (19,7 pulgadas) más cortos que sus primos del Reino Unido, pero los XPT inicialmente estaban propulsados ​​​​por los mismos motores Paxman Valenta, aunque se redujeron de 2250 bhp a 2000 bhp (1680 a 1490 kW) y con su engranaje reducido para una velocidad máxima de funcionamiento de 160 km/h (99 mph). Desde entonces, estos motores han sido reemplazados por motores Paxman VP185. La suspensión XPT también se modificó para operar en una pista inferior, y hubo cambios tanto en los filtros de aire como en los sistemas de enfriamiento para adaptarse a las condiciones australianas más cálidas y polvorientas. Solo un tren al día llega a la capital de Queensland, Brisbane, saliendo de Sydney a las 14:41 y viajando durante la noche para llegar a Brisbane a las 04:53 de la mañana siguiente, aunque el día de nuestro viaje se retrasó un poco, llegando a las 05: 05. Después de una breve escala, durante la cual los compartimentos del vagón A se convierten de dos literas para dormir en tres asientos, el tren regresa al sur. El viaje a Sydney está reservado para tomar 14 horas y 17 minutos, con 23 paradas intermedias, y proporciona un servicio de transporte vital a las áreas regionales, con múltiples conexiones de autobús desde lugares como Tweed Heads y Byron Bay que alimentan los trenes de larga distancia. Dado que el vuelo entre Brisbane y Sídney dura apenas 95 minutos, probablemente éramos las únicas personas que viajaban toda la distancia en este tren. ¡Pero qué experiencia tan fantástica fue! En este tercer video, continuamos nuestro viaje hacia el sur. Dejando atrás el valle de Nambucca, nos dirigimos primero a Kempsey y luego a Wauchope, donde cruzamos el río Hastings. Pasamos por Kendal, un pequeño pueblo con una población de alrededor de 1200 habitantes, antes de terminar la Parte 3 a orillas del río Manning en Taree.

[@robertgarland9342]

I travelled from from Brisbane to Kempsey on the XPT way back in 2007 as I had to drive my sister in laws car back to the Sunshine Coast. This was 15 odd years ago and the rattly old XPT felt like it was going to fly apart when it got up to high speed. We were only 20 Kms from Kempsey when staff were running up and down the isles carrying fire extinguishers. It turn out there was a fire in the gally and when the train arrived at Kempsey the fire trucks were on stand by. The train was delayed about 40 mins making sure it was safe to continue. I still can't believe it's over 40 years old now. I'm surprised it wasn't replaced 15 or 20 years ago.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thank you for your fabulous comment Robert. From an enthusiast’s point of view, it’s wonderful to still be able to ride the XPT, especially in the day sitter compartment. The fact that these 40+ year old units are still putting in such fabulous performances, over huge distances and in challenging conditions is amazing. The train manager was telling me that they are hoping to have new trains within two years. Whilst the new trains will no doubt be welcomed by many, it will be a shame to see these old stalwarts bow out. And I doubt the new trains will offer the opportunity to experience a long journey in a compartment/corridor coach!