New South Wales R set

This article is about the NSW TrainLink regional train. For the Sydney electric multiple unit, see CityRail R set.

The New South Wales R sets^[4] are a class of bi-mode multiple units (EDMU) being built to replace NSW TrainLink's Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services, as well as Sydney Trains' Endeavour fleet for diesel intercity services. The fleet is being built by CAF as part of their Civity family of trains.

R set
R2 at Clarendon during testing, May 2025
Stock type	Electro-diesel multiple unit
Manufacturer	CAF
Built at	Beasain, Spain
Family name	Civity
Replaced	XPT Xplorer Endeavour (excluding Hunter Line)
Constructed	2020–present
Entered service	2025–2027 (scheduled)
Number under construction	117 carriages (19 3-car sets and 10 6-car sets)
Formation	6-car sets (Long Regional): RDA-RIA-RIB-RIC-RID-RDB 3-car sets
Fleet numbers	R1- (Regional)
Operators	NSW TrainLink (Regional services) Sydney Trains (Intercity services)
Depots	Mindyarra Maintenance Centre
Specifications
Train length	146.16 m (479 ft 6+5⁄16 in) (6-car sets) 73.92 m (242 ft 6+1⁄4 in) (3-car sets)
Car length	24.92 m (81 ft 9+1⁄8 in) (end cars) 24.08 m (79 ft 1⁄16 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2.97 m (9 ft 8+15⁄16 in)
Doors	Plug-style, 2 per side
Wheel diameter	850–780 mm (33–31 in)
Maximum speed	Service (electric): 130 km/h (81 mph) Service (diesel): 160 km/h (100 mph) Design: 176 km/h (109 mph)
Traction motors	12–24 × TSA TME 46-23-4 210 kW (280 hp)[1]
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC (NSW only)
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
[2][3]

History

In the lead up to the 2015 state election the Baird Government committed itself, if re-elected, to replacing the XPT fleet (19 power cars and 60 carriages).^[5][6] Having been returned to office in October 2016, the government announced it was also considering replacing the Xplorer (23 carriages) and Endeavour (28 carriages) fleets.^[7][8][9]

In August 2017 the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets as part of the Regional Rail Project.^[10] In November 2017 three consortia, led by Bombardier, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains.^[11] In May 2018 the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process.^[12]

A contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships.^[13] The order will comprise 117 bi-mode Civity carriages which will make up a total of 29 trains:^[14][15]

• 10 long (6-car) trainsets for use on long-distance Regional services (replacing the XPT fleet)
• 9 short (3-car) short-distance Regional trainsets (replacing the Xplorer fleet)
• 10 short (3-car) Intercity sets (replacing some of the Endeavour fleet)

All trains will be maintained at the purpose built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo.^[16][17]

The first complete 6-car unit arrived at Port Kembla on 14 February 2024 and was taken by road to Dubbo.^[18][19] On 30 September 2024 the set was transferred by rail from Mindyarra Maintenance Centre to Auburn Maintenance Centre in Auburn to prepare for mainline traction testing.^[20] Since February 2025 the same set commenced mainline testing on the Northern Line between West Ryde and Epping, the Western Line between St Marys and Blacktown, and on the Richmond Line between Richmond and Riverstone.^[21]

The fleet is planned to enter service between 2025 and 2029.^[22]

• 
  LR2 at Denistone station on the first night of testing, 25 February 2025
• 
  RDA2302 at Denistone, February 2025
• 
  R2 at Eastwood during testing, March 2025

The new fleet has been criticised for its lack of sleeper carriages, which are available on the XPT.^[23]