The first intercity Mariyung train has taken to the tracks on the Blue Mountains line, bringing new reliability, safety and comfort to travellers from Lithgow to Sydney.
Bound for Central Station, the first Mariyung on the line left Lithgow at 6.24am Monday.
The Blue Mountains Line needed a program of modifications to widen tunnels and expand train platforms to accommodate the Mariyung.
The Mariyung fleet will gradually replace the V-Sets that have served the Blue Mountains Line since the 1970s and have become a magnet for vandals and graffiti. The Mariyung has closed-circuit television systems throughout to deter anti-social behaviour.
The Mariyung offer spacious and comfortable two-by-two seating, a quieter, air-conditioned journey, luggage racks, and improved accessibility.
The seating includes tray tables, arm rests, high seat backs and charging ports for mobile devices, and on-board digital information screens.
Initial deployment has commenced with both 10-car and 6-car train operations. The 10-car trains can seat 823 passengers while the 6-car trains can seat 500 passengers.
Blacktown, Linden, Leura, Hazelbrook, Blackheath and Faulconbridge are among the stations on the Blue Mountains line where platforms are not long enough for 10-carriage trains and doors on certain carriages at the front of the train and will not open at those.
This is the second phase of the rollout of the Mariyung fleet. The Mariyung first entered service on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line on 3 December last year. The fleet will be rolled out on the South Coast Line in 2026.
The introduction of the Mariyung will allow for the Oscar fleet, which debuted in December 2006, to be fully refurbished as it transitions to Suburban running.
NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, said that long-suffering Blue Mountains Line passengers waited far too long to see this new intercity train in service.
“The very good news is the Mariyung has arrived, and it will significantly improve the commute back and forth to Sydney for the communities along its length,” Graham said.
“As we focus on improving the reliability of the whole Sydney Trains system, introducing trains that are up to 50 years younger than the existing fleet can only be an improvement for this line.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, said that this marks a major step forward for regional transport in NSW.
“From Lithgow to Sydney, the Blue Mountains Line is a vital link for thousands of regional commuters. The new Mariyung trains will make those journeys safer, smoother and more enjoyable – connecting people to jobs, education and essential services,” Aitchison said.
“This rollout is about more than new trains, it’s about investing in regional infrastructure, creating local jobs, and ensuring our transport system meets the needs of communities outside the city.”
