Newcastle Flyer
3801 at Newcastle station preparing to head south on a Newcastle Flyer replica train in April 2007
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train |
| Status | Ceased |
| First service | 11 November 1929 |
| Last service | 8 April 1988 |
| Former operator(s) | State Rail Authority |
| Route | |
| Start | Sydney |
| End | Newcastle |
| Distance travelled | 168 kilometres |
| Service frequency | 3 x per day in each direction |
| Line used | Short North |
The Newcastle Flyer was an Australian passenger express train that operated from November 1929 until April 1988 connecting New South Wales' two largest cities, Sydney and Newcastle.
On 1 May 1889 the first trains began running between Sydney and Newcastle. However, it was not until November 1929, with the pending completion of the Pacific Highway, that a premier express service was introduced. Two trains named the Inter City Express and the Northern Commercial Limited were introduced taking 2 hours 45 minutes to cover the 168 kilometres. These were hauled by a selected group of 32 class locomotives. The newly refurbished L type carriages were painted in a dedicated red and cream livery and from 1933 the locomotives maroon.
In late 1934 brand new 36 class locomotives were introduced along with refurbished Pullman carriages. In September 1936 the Northern Commercial Limited was renamed the Newcastle Express and in April 1937 the first non-stop service was introduced with a journey time of 2 hours 20 minutes. In April 1939 brand new NCR rolling stock was introduced. A coal miners strike saw Silver City Comet diesel rolling stock operate the services in 1940.
In January 1943, the first 38 class locomotive entered service. Although 3801 first worked a Newcastle Flyer service in February 1943, it would not be until May 1944 that they were regularly introduced and even then they continued to share the duties with the 36 class locomotives for another three years. From July 1945 a third daily service was introduced with all services now operating as the Newcastle Express. From November 1947 all services were operated by 38 class locomotives with a fastest journey time of 2 hours 18 minutes.
In April 1948, air-conditioned rolling stock was introduced to the service replacing . The Newcastle Flyer was the last express train in Australia to be worked by steam locomotives. This came to an end on 29 December 1970 when 3820 hauled the final steam powered service.
From January 1956, the Newcastle Flyer was sometimes hauled by diesel locomotives, but the 38 class remained the usual motive power. When electrification to Gosford was completed in January 1960, the trains were usually hauled between Sydney and Gosford by a 46 class, with normally a 38 class locomotive north of Gosford until diesels took over from 1970. Following the line through to Newcastle being electrified from June 1984, the more modern 86 class began operating the services throughout although 46 class locomotives occasionally appeared.
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