New South Wales Xplorer
| Xplorer | |
|---|---|
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Interior of a refurbished economy class carriage
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| In service | October 1993 |
| Manufacturer | ABB Transportation |
| Built at | Dandenong |
| Entered service | 1993–95 |
| Number built | 23 cars |
| Formation | 2–4 cars |
| Fleet numbers | EA 2501-2508, EB 2511-2517, EC 2521-2528 |
| Capacity | 42 First (EA) 66 Economy (EB) 50 Economy (EC) |
| Operator(s) | NSW TrainLink |
| Depot(s) | Xplorer-Endeavour Service Centre |
| Line(s) served |
Main Northern Main Western Main Southern |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 25.250 m (82 ft 10 in) |
| Width | 2.921 m (9 ft 7 in) |
| Height | 4.11 m (13 ft 6 in) |
| Maximum speed | 145 km/h (90 mph) |
| Weight | 57 tonnes (56 long tons; 63 short tons) |
| Prime mover(s) | Cummins KTA-19R (one per car) |
| Power output | 383 kW (514 hp) per car |
| Transmission | Voith Turbo T311r KB260 |
| Auxiliaries | Cummins LT10R(G) 181 hp (135 kW) |
| Bogies | PJA (Power) NJA (Trailer) |
| Coupling system | Scharfenberg |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The Xplorer is a diesel multiple unit train operated by NSW TrainLink on regional rail services in New South Wales, Australia from Sydney to Armidale, Moree, Broken Hill, Griffith and Canberra. The first Xplorers entered service in October 1993, and are mechanically identical to but feature a higher level of passenger amenity than the Endeavour railcars. All 23 carriages were built by ABB Transportation in Dandenong, Victoria.
Following the election of the Greiner State Government in March 1988, consultants Booz Allen Hamilton were commissioned to prepare a report into NSW rail services. On purely economic grounds, the report recommended closing all country passenger services as they were judged unviable, however this was not politically acceptable. If services were to be maintained, the report recommended an 'all XPT' option supported by an expanded coach network.
This option was taken up by the government and a new timetable introduced in February 1990. One of the casualties was the Northern Tablelands Express from Sydney to Armidale which was operated on alternate days by a locomotive hauled / set and XPT. This was truncated back to Tamworth allowing it to be operated by one XPT as a day return service. A road coach from Sydney to Armidale was introduced. Another service to be replaced by coach was the Werris Creek to Moree connecting service that was operated by a DEB set.
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