The Blue Mountains Line (BMT) is an inter urban commuter rail service operated by NSW TrainLink serving the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The line travels west from Sydney to the major town of Katoomba and on to Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst. Mount Victoria is the terminus for most electric services, but some services terminate at Lithgow instead. Two express services per day in each direction, known as the Bathurst Bullet, extend to the regional city of Bathurst, which is supplemented by road coaches connecting Bathurst to Lithgow. Due to electrification limits at Lithgow, the Bathurst Bullet is run using the Endeavour railcars, which operate on diesel. The Blue Mountains Line operates over a mostly duplicated section of the Main Western line. As such, the tracks are also traversed by the Central West XPT, Outback Xplorer and Indian Pacific passenger services and by freight trains.
The Blue Mountains line is a section of the Main Western line which opened in 1868.[1] The line was built with gradients as steep as 1 in 33 (3%) and curves as sharp as 8 chains (160m). Most of the curves were eased to 12 chains (240m) with duplication.[2][3]
The line originally ascended the eastern and descended the western sides of the Blue Mountains via a series of zig-zag track sections. The eastern zig zag was by passed by a tunnel in 1892 and the western zig zag (currently a tourist railway) was bypassed in 1910 with the Ten Tunnels Deviation.
Electrification and further upgrades
View immediately north of Lithgow station. This is the limit of electric services on the Blue Mountains Line.
In the 1950s, the line was electrified primarily as a means of easing the haulage of coal freight from the western coalfields to the coastal ports,[4] but a by-product of this programme was the introduction of electric interurban passenger services as far west as Bowenfels, later cut back to Lithgow.[5] Goods trains are now exclusively diesel hauled. Electric passenger services were originally provided by a combination of electric locomotive hauled carriages and single deck electric multiple unit sets (known as U sets), both of which have now been withdrawn and replaced by more modern rolling stock.
In June 2012, New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell announced that services would be extended to Bathurst. The service, commonly known as the Bathurst Bullet, commenced on 21 October 2012.[6][7] A second Bathurst Bullet return service was introduced on 16 September 2019.[8]Springwood services were previously the only services where an H set train would be scheduled. Due to the width of H sets, they risked striking platforms past Springwood with their outward opening plug doors and tunnels past Katoomba. The last H sets were removed from the line in 2017 and 2018. As the V sets are being replaced by the New Intercity Fleet, which are wider, the loading gauge of the line past Springwood will be increased. This will be done by a combination of carving notches into tunnel walls and reducing required clearances by lowering speed limits.[9]
Station upgrades as part of the Transport Access Program (TAP) were carried out, as well as more minor upgrades. A full list of completed upgrades can be viewed at the TAP's completed projects page, whilst current projects can be viewed here.[10]
Station upgrades for the Blue Mountains Line (Incomplete upgrades are in bold; information accurate as of August 2022)
New lifts, upgrades to taxi rank, kiss and ride bay, accessible parking spaces, general station and platform refresh, new water fountain, removal of pedestrian level crossing, and new bicycle hoops.
The line is operated entirely by V sets. As the electric overhead wiring ends at Lithgow, diesel Endeavour railcars operate the services to and from Bathurst.
All electric Blue Mountains line services start and terminate from the intercity platforms (4-15) of Central (Sydney Terminal) station. During the weekday off-peak, they operate hourly, alternating between services to Mount Victoria and Lithgow. During the morning and afternoon peaks, some express services operate, together with short workings to Springwood and Katoomba.
There are two services each way from Bathurst to Central, known as the Bathurst Bullet, mainly catering for commuters working in Sydney. Two services run toward Central in the morning and return in the afternoon. Two shuttle services operate from Lithgow to Bathurst in the early morning and return to Lithgow late at night.
Some off-peak electric interurban services on the line only consist of four carriages, with peak hour services usually consisting of eight carriages. Regional diesel services on the line consist of two carriages.
The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2022, based on Opal tap on and tap off data.[19]
^"O'Farrell announces daily rail service to Sydney". Western Advocate. 4 June 2012.
^"Blue Mountains line timetable". Transport for NSW.
^Second Bathurst Bullet service added Transport for NSW 12 August 2019
^ abcdNSW, Transport for (7 August 2017). "New Intercity Fleet Springwood to Lithgow Rail Corridor Modifications". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^ abcdNSW, Transport for (18 June 2017). "Transport Access Program - completed". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (23 May 2019). "Lapstone Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (5 September 2018). "Glenbrook Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (23 May 2019). "Faulconbridge Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (5 September 2018). "Hazelbrook Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (1 July 2017). "Wentworth Falls Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (30 June 2017). "Leura Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^ abcNSW, Transport for (21 July 2020). "Upgrades to Blue Mountains Line now complete". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
^NSW, Transport for (23 May 2019). "Blackheath Station Upgrade". transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^"Train Patronage - Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
External links
January 17, 2023
blue, mountains, line, inter, urban, commuter, rail, service, operated, trainlink, serving, blue, mountains, region, south, wales, australia, line, travels, west, from, sydney, major, town, katoomba, mount, victoria, lithgow, bathurst, mount, victoria, terminu. The Blue Mountains Line BMT is an inter urban commuter rail service operated by NSW TrainLink serving the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales Australia The line travels west from Sydney to the major town of Katoomba and on to Mount Victoria Lithgow and Bathurst Mount Victoria is the terminus for most electric services but some services terminate at Lithgow instead Two express services per day in each direction known as the Bathurst Bullet extend to the regional city of Bathurst which is supplemented by road coaches connecting Bathurst to Lithgow Due to electrification limits at Lithgow the Bathurst Bullet is run using the Endeavour railcars which operate on diesel The Blue Mountains Line operates over a mostly duplicated section of the Main Western line As such the tracks are also traversed by the Central West XPT Outback Xplorer and Indian Pacific passenger services and by freight trains Blue Mountains LineA V set at GlenbrookOverviewService typeCommuter railStatusIn operationLocaleBlue Mountains and Central West New South WalesFirst service1868 as part of the Main Western Line Current operator s NSW TrainLinkFormer operator s State Rail CityRailRidership10 154 000 passengers in 2019RouteTerminiCentralBathurstStops21Line s usedMain WesternTechnicalRolling stockNSW TrainLink V set and Endeavour railcarTrack gauge1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in standard gaugeElectrification1957 west to Lithgow Track owner s Transport Asset Holding EntityTimetable number s BMTRoute mapLegendCentral Sydney RedfernStrathfieldParramattaBlacktownPenrithEmu PlainsEnd of Sydney Trains networkLapstoneGlenbrookBlaxlandWarrimooValley HeightsSpringwoodFaulconbridgeLindenWoodfordHazelbrookLawsonBullaburraWentworth FallsLeuraKatoombaMedlow BathBlackheathMount VictoriaBellZig ZagLithgowEnd of electric servicesRydalTaranaBathurstThis diagram viewtalkedit Contents 1 History 1 1 Electrification and further upgrades 2 Services 3 Blue Mountains line stations 4 Patronage 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditSee also Main Western railway line The Blue Mountains line is a section of the Main Western line which opened in 1868 1 The line was built with gradients as steep as 1 in 33 3 and curves as sharp as 8 chains 160m Most of the curves were eased to 12 chains 240m with duplication 2 3 The line originally ascended the eastern and descended the western sides of the Blue Mountains via a series of zig zag track sections The eastern zig zag was by passed by a tunnel in 1892 and the western zig zag currently a tourist railway was bypassed in 1910 with the Ten Tunnels Deviation Electrification and further upgrades Edit View immediately north of Lithgow station This is the limit of electric services on the Blue Mountains Line In the 1950s the line was electrified primarily as a means of easing the haulage of coal freight from the western coalfields to the coastal ports 4 but a by product of this programme was the introduction of electric interurban passenger services as far west as Bowenfels later cut back to Lithgow 5 Goods trains are now exclusively diesel hauled Electric passenger services were originally provided by a combination of electric locomotive hauled carriages and single deck electric multiple unit sets known as U sets both of which have now been withdrawn and replaced by more modern rolling stock In June 2012 New South Wales Premier Barry O Farrell announced that services would be extended to Bathurst The service commonly known as the Bathurst Bullet commenced on 21 October 2012 6 7 A second Bathurst Bullet return service was introduced on 16 September 2019 8 Springwood services were previously the only services where an H set train would be scheduled Due to the width of H sets they risked striking platforms past Springwood with their outward opening plug doors and tunnels past Katoomba The last H sets were removed from the line in 2017 and 2018 As the V sets are being replaced by the New Intercity Fleet which are wider the loading gauge of the line past Springwood will be increased This will be done by a combination of carving notches into tunnel walls and reducing required clearances by lowering speed limits 9 Station upgrades as part of the Transport Access Program TAP were carried out as well as more minor upgrades A full list of completed upgrades can be viewed at the TAP s completed projects page whilst current projects can be viewed here 10 Station upgrades for the Blue Mountains Line Incomplete upgrades are in bold information accurate as of August 2022 Station Upgrade details Upgrade status Year completed NotesLapstone New lift new toilets general station refresh upgrades to footbridge and ramp and new kiss and ride bay Complete April 2021 11 Glenbrook New lift new kiss and ride bay general station refresh and new bathrooms Complete December 2019 12 Faulconbridge New lifts new toilets general station refresh upgrades to ramp accessible car space and kiss and ride bay Complete April 2021 13 Hazelbrook New toilet new lift upgrades to pathways and accessible parking spaces Complete December 2019 10 14 Wentworth Falls New lifts new canopies new kiss and ride bays improved forecourt improvements to toilets and waiting areas Complete December 2017 10 15 Leura New lift and stairs new canopy new taxi rank new pathway general station refresh new kiss and ride bay and new bicycle facilities Complete February 2018 16 Katoomba New commuter carpark and new accessible parking spaces Complete July 2010 10 Platform extension as part of new fleet program as well as modifications to canopies and platform edges Complete July 2020 9 17 Blackheath New lifts upgrades to taxi rank kiss and ride bay accessible parking spaces general station and platform refresh new water fountain removal of pedestrian level crossing and new bicycle hoops In Progress Estimated around 2023 18 Mount Victoria Platform extension as part of new fleet program as well as modifications to canopies and platform edges Complete July 2020 9 17 Lithgow Platform extension as part of new fleet program as well as modifications to canopies and platform edges Complete July 2020 9 17 Services Edit A V set at Wentworth Falls station The line is operated entirely by V sets As the electric overhead wiring ends at Lithgow diesel Endeavour railcars operate the services to and from Bathurst All electric Blue Mountains line services start and terminate from the intercity platforms 4 15 of Central Sydney Terminal station During the weekday off peak they operate hourly alternating between services to Mount Victoria and Lithgow During the morning and afternoon peaks some express services operate together with short workings to Springwood and Katoomba There are two services each way from Bathurst to Central known as the Bathurst Bullet mainly catering for commuters working in Sydney Two services run toward Central in the morning and return in the afternoon Two shuttle services operate from Lithgow to Bathurst in the early morning and return to Lithgow late at night Some off peak electric interurban services on the line only consist of four carriages with peak hour services usually consisting of eight carriages Regional diesel services on the line consist of two carriages Blue Mountains line stations EditBlue Mountains Line stations Name Railway line Serving suburbs towns NotesCentral Main Suburban Sydney CBD Chippendale Strawberry Hills Ultimo Surry Hills Transport hub featuring Sydney Trains other Intercity trains Regional trains buses and light railRedfern Redfern Waterloo Darlington Eveleigh Interchange with Sydney Trains Selected peak hour services onlyStrathfield Strathfield Transport hub featuring Sydney Trains other Intercity trains Regional trains and buses Parramatta Main Western Parramatta Interchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trains Westmead Westmead Interchange with Sydney Trains Bathurst Bullet onlyBlacktown Blacktown Interchange with Sydney TrainsPenrith Penrith Interchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trainsEmu Plains Emu Plains Emu Heights End of the Sydney Trains networkLapstone Lapstone N AGlenbrook GlenbrookBlaxland BlaxlandWarrimoo WarrimooValley Heights Valley HeightsSpringwood Springwood Intermediate terminus primarily during peak hours Faulconbridge Faulconbridge N ALinden LindenWoodford WoodfordHazelbrook HazelbrookLawson LawsonBullaburra BullaburraWentworth Falls Wentworth FallsLeura LeuraKatoomba Katoomba Major intermediate terminus Interchange with Regional trainsMedlow Bath Medlow Bath N ABlackheath BlackheathMount Victoria Mount Victoria Intermediate terminusBell Bell Request stopZig Zag N A Request stop alight for Zig Zag Railway museum No service on weekday nights Lithgow Lithgow Terminus for Electric Services Interchange with Regional trainsRydal Rydal N ATarana TaranaBathurst Bathurst Terminus for limited Endeavour services The Blue Mountains Railway Line showing station altitude vs distance from Central Station Coach services stop at the following locations Lithgow connects to trains Wallerawang Mount Lambie Meadow Flat Yetholme Raglan Kelso BathurstPatronage EditThe following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2022 based on Opal tap on and tap off data 19 2021 22 NSW TrainLink Intercity patronage by line Blue Mountains Line 3 179 000Central Coast amp Newcastle Line 6 015 000Hunter Line 418 000South Coast Line 3 013 000Southern Highlands Line 334 000References Edit Main West Line Nswrail net Groves K T December 1971 Steam Working over the Blue Mountains Part I Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin 265 280 Groves K T January 1974 Steam Working over the Blue Mountains Part II Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin 1 19 Miller Stephen January 2008 Blue Mountains Electrification 50 Years Later Australian Railway History pp 1 21 Single Deck InterUrban cars SETS O Farrell announces daily rail service to Sydney Western Advocate 4 June 2012 Blue Mountains line timetable Transport for NSW Second Bathurst Bullet service added Transport for NSW 12 August 2019 a b c d NSW Transport for 7 August 2017 New Intercity Fleet Springwood to Lithgow Rail Corridor Modifications transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 a b c d NSW Transport for 18 June 2017 Transport Access Program completed transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 23 May 2019 Lapstone Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 5 September 2018 Glenbrook Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 23 May 2019 Faulconbridge Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 5 September 2018 Hazelbrook Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 1 July 2017 Wentworth Falls Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 NSW Transport for 30 June 2017 Leura Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 a b c NSW Transport for 21 July 2020 Upgrades to Blue Mountains Line now complete transport nsw gov au Retrieved 25 July 2020 NSW Transport for 23 May 2019 Blackheath Station Upgrade transport nsw gov au Retrieved 27 April 2020 Train Patronage Monthly Figures Transport for NSW Retrieved 20 August 2022 External links EditBlue Mountains Railway Pages Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blue Mountains Line amp oldid 1121902477, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
