Blue Mountains Line

The Blue Mountains Line is an intercity railway service in New South Wales, Australia, operated by NSW TrainLink under the Transport for NSW network, providing passenger transport from Sydney Central Station westward through the Blue Mountains to Lithgow, with limited extensions to Bathurst.^[1] The line spans approximately 160 kilometres (99 miles) from Sydney to Lithgow, serving as a vital link for commuters, tourists, and regional travel, with services featuring express and all-stations patterns to accommodate varying demands.^[1] It utilizes electric multiple units to Lithgow and diesel trains for limited extensions to Bathurst, reflecting its dual suburban-intercity role.^[2] Historically, the line forms part of the Main Western railway line, with construction beginning in the 1860s to overcome the formidable terrain of the Blue Mountains following the gold rush era's demand for efficient transport.^[3] The initial extension beyond Penrith reached Wentworth Falls (then Weatherboard) on 11 July 1867, employing innovative zig-zag alignments designed by engineer John Whitton to navigate steep gradients of up to 1 in 33.^[3] Further progress saw the line complete to Lithgow's Bowenfels by October 1869 and to Bathurst by April 1876, spurring settlement, tourism, and economic growth in the region.^[4] Engineering upgrades, including the 1892 Lapstone deviation with its tunnel and the 1910 Ten Tunnels Deviation bypassing the Lithgow Zig Zag, improved efficiency and safety while preserving some historic elements as tourist attractions.^[5] Electrification from Sydney to Lithgow was completed in stages, culminating in 1957, enabling faster electric services.^[6] The route features key stops such as Parramatta, Penrith, Springwood, Katoomba, and Leura, offering access to scenic attractions like the Three Sisters and Scenic World, while the line's infrastructure includes notable structures like the Knapsack Viaduct, a heritage-listed sandstone arch bridge built in 1867.^[1][3] Services operate frequently, with up to hourly departures during peak times, and the introduction of Mariyung trains in October 2025 has enhanced accessibility and comfort on the line to Lithgow.^[2] The Blue Mountains Line not only supports daily regional connectivity but also underscores the railway's role in promoting the area's UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural beauty.^[3]

Overview

Route description

The Blue Mountains Line follows the Main Western railway line westward from Central station in Sydney, integrating with the broader Sydney Trains network and providing connections to lines such as the T1 North Shore & Western Line and T2 Inner West & Leppington Line at Central. The route initially traverses the flat Cumberland Plain, paralleling the Great Western Highway and serving key suburban stations including Strathfield, Parramatta, Blacktown, and Penrith.^[7] After Penrith, the line crosses the Nepean River near Emu Plains station and begins its ascent into the Blue Mountains, passing through Lapstone and Glenbrook. This section navigates the escarpment's steep terrain via historic engineering features, including the Knapsack Viaduct—a sandstone arch structure completed in 1865—and several tunnels, such as the 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel, which bypassed the original Lapstone zig-zag deviation built in the 1860s to overcome the initial climb. The route continues upward through eucalypt forests and sandstone cliffs, stopping at stations like Blaxland, Springwood, Woodford, Hazelbrook, Bullaburra, Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba (adjacent to the Scenic World tourist precinct with its cableway and boardwalks), Medlow Bath, Blackheath, and Mount Victoria.^[8][9] From Mount Victoria, the line descends the western escarpment toward Lithgow, utilizing the 1910 Ten Tunnels Deviation—a series of ten short tunnels and cuttings that replaced the original Lithgow zig-zag formation, allowing for straighter alignment and heavier loads. This portion features dramatic views of valleys and the Coxs River, with additional viaducts and embankments. The full electrified section extends 156 km to Lithgow, completed in 1957, while the double track configuration, duplicated progressively from the late 19th century into the early 1900s, supports bidirectional traffic throughout. Selected diesel services continue another 62 km on single track to Bathurst, totaling approximately 218 km from Central, crossing undulating plains and the Abercrombie River. In October 2025, new electric Mariyung double-deck trains began entering service on the line to Lithgow, improving capacity and comfort.^[10][11][12] Typical journey times are approximately 2 hours 45 minutes from Central to Lithgow and 4 hours to Bathurst, reflecting the challenging gradients of up to 1 in 33 in the mountains.^[13]

Significance

The Blue Mountains Line plays a crucial role in commuter transportation, serving residents of Sydney's western suburbs, the Blue Mountains region, and extending connectivity to the Central West areas such as Lithgow and Bathurst. It provides essential daily links for thousands of regional commuters traveling to and from Sydney for work, education, and healthcare, enhancing liveability and supporting population growth in these areas.^[14][15] In terms of tourism, the line facilitates access to key attractions including Blue Mountains National Park, Scenic World, and the village of Leura, drawing visitors seeking the region's World Heritage-listed landscapes and outdoor experiences. Prior to 2020, the Blue Mountains attracted approximately 4.7 million visitors annually, with the rail service offering a scenic and convenient alternative to road travel from Sydney, thereby boosting the local visitor economy.^[16][17] Economically, the line contributes to regional development by supporting local industries in Lithgow and Bathurst through reliable passenger and occasional freight services, including diversion routes during disruptions on parallel corridors. It aligns with NSW government initiatives for economic diversification, such as improving connectivity to foster remote work and mining exports via rail links to major ports.^[14][18] The line holds significant cultural and historical value as a testament to 19th-century engineering achievements, featuring challenging gradients, viaducts, and tunnels that overcame the Blue Mountains' rugged terrain. Many of its stations and structures, such as Blackheath Railway Station, are heritage-listed for their role in early rail expansion and industrial development.^[19][20] As part of the broader Sydney Trains network, the Blue Mountains Line integrates with the T1 Western Line for suburban services up to Mount Victoria, while NSW TrainLink operates intercity extensions to Lithgow and Bathurst, ensuring seamless urban-regional connectivity under the Opal payment system.^[7]

History

Early development

The development of the Blue Mountains Line began as part of the Main Western railway, aimed at connecting Sydney to the western regions of New South Wales for economic expansion. Construction of the initial section from Sydney to Parramatta opened on 26 September 1855, marking the first public passenger railway in the colony and spanning approximately 22 kilometers.^[21] This line was extended progressively westward, reaching Blacktown on 4 July 1860, Penrith on 19 January 1863, and Emu Plains on 18 August 1868, facilitating the transport of passengers and goods amid growing colonial demands.^[22] Early operations relied on steam locomotives, with the New South Wales Government Railways assuming control from its establishment in 1855, overseeing the project's expansion under engineers like John Whitton.^[21] The most formidable challenge arose in navigating the Blue Mountains' steep terrain, prompting innovative engineering solutions. To ascend from Emu Plains, the Lapstone Zig Zag was constructed between 1863 and 1867, opening on 11 July 1867 with gradients as steep as 1 in 30 to 1 in 33, allowing trains to climb the eastern escarpment through reversing loops.^[9] Further progress included openings to Springwood and Wentworth Falls by 22 July 1867, and Mount Victoria by 1 May 1868. The line reached Lapstone in 1867, but full penetration of the mountains required the Great Zig Zag at the western end, built from 1866 to 1869 near Lithgow, incorporating tight curves of 8 chains radius and gradients of 1 in 33 descending and 1 in 42 ascending, with extensive double-track looping sections totaling around 16.5 kilometers to manage the 170-meter elevation gain.^[23] This engineering feat enabled the line's completion to Lithgow (then Bowenfels) on 18 October 1869, spanning the mountains entirely.^[22] Subsequent extensions solidified the route's utility, with the line reaching Bathurst on 4 April 1876 after intermediate milestones like Kelso.^[22] To address operational inefficiencies of the zig zags, deviations were introduced: the eastern Lapstone Zig Zag was bypassed in 1892 via the Glenbrook Deviation, featuring a 634-meter single-track tunnel with a 1 in 33 gradient, streamlining the ascent.^[24] The western Great Zig Zag followed suit in 1910, replaced by a 14-kilometer double-track deviation known as the Ten Tunnels line, incorporating ten tunnels varying from 70 to 825 meters in length and three stone viaducts up to 21.3 meters high, reducing grades to 1 in 66 and enhancing capacity for steam-haulage.^[23] These advancements, driven by the New South Wales Government Railways, transformed the line into a vital artery for freight and passengers by the early 20th century.^[25]

Electrification and upgrades

The electrification of the Blue Mountains Line commenced in the mid-1950s using 1,500 V DC overhead catenary systems to replace steam operations and enhance efficiency. The initial phase reached Penrith in October 1955, enabling electric locomotives to haul passenger and freight trains from Sydney Central through the lower Blue Mountains foothills.^[26] This marked a significant modernization, reducing travel times and operational costs compared to steam haulage. The system was extended progressively, reaching Valley Heights by October 1956, which facilitated servicing of the new 46-class electric locomotives at the existing depot.^[27] Further extensions advanced into the upper Blue Mountains, with electric services operating to Katoomba by March 1957, supporting increased commuter and tourist traffic to the region.^[28] The rollout culminated in June 1957 when electrification reached Lithgow, completing the 160 km electric network from Sydney and allowing through electric running for interurban services.^[29] Beyond Lithgow, the line to Bathurst remained unelectrified, relying on diesel railcars for the final 40 km leg due to topographic and economic constraints. Subsequent upgrades in the late 20th century focused on capacity and safety improvements. In the 1970s, the introduction of double-deck "V-set" rolling stock necessitated tunnel widenings and structural modifications across the Blue Mountains section to accommodate the larger vehicles, which doubled passenger capacity on peak services.^[30] Resignaling efforts during this period transitioned segments to automatic safe working systems, replacing manual token block operations with track circuits and color-light signals to permit closer train spacing and reduce driver workload.^[5] By the 1980s, selective track duplications, including enhancements around Glenbrook, addressed bottlenecks from growing suburban demand, though much of the core deviation routes dated to earlier deviations. New Generation Rollingstock trials in the 1990s tested stainless steel double-deck configurations on the line, paving the way for fleet standardization and improved reliability. In the 2010s, infrastructure works emphasized passenger facilities, including platform extensions at Katoomba and Leura stations to support longer intercity trains and comply with evolving accessibility standards. These modifications, completed around 2016-2020, involved resurfacing, edge upgrades, and canopy extensions to enhance safety and boarding efficiency.^[31] The Transport Access Program (TAP) has delivered accessibility upgrades at several stations along the line since 2017, including new lifts, tactile indicators, hearing loops, and compliant ramps at stations such as Medlow Bath (completed April 2025) and Wentworth Falls (2017).^[32][33] The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 temporarily disrupted upgrade works and reduced patronage, but services resumed with enhanced safety measures by 2022.^[34] Diesel services beyond Lithgow saw enhancements with the introduction of the Bathurst Bullet in October 2012, an express railcar service using Endeavour vehicles to connect Sydney and Bathurst in under four hours, replacing slower mixed consists.^[35] Demand prompted a second daily Bullet from September 16, 2019, adding capacity for regional commuters and tourists while stopping at key intermediate stations like Tarana.^[36] Post-2023 developments included infrastructure works to support integration with the new Mariyung intercity fleet, which entered service in October 2025.^[37]

Infrastructure

Track and electrification

The Blue Mountains Line utilizes standard gauge track measuring 1,435 mm, consistent with the broader New South Wales mainline rail network. The route features quadruple track from Sydney Central Station to St Marys and double track from St Marys to a point just west of Penrith, transitioning to predominantly single track through the mountainous sections to Lithgow, with crossing loops at key locations including Lawson, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Bell, Eskbank, and Newnes Junction to facilitate train passing and maintain operational efficiency. This configuration supports both passenger and freight services, with the track laid on a concrete slab in critical deviation areas like the Ten Tunnels, where modifications in the 1970s replaced original ballasted track to accommodate larger rolling stock.^[38][5] Electrification on the line employs a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system extending approximately 127 km from Central to Mount Victoria, enabling electric multiple unit operations for passenger services. Beyond Mount Victoria to Lithgow, diesel multiple units handle services due to the challenging terrain. The overhead wiring, installed in 1957 and upgraded in the 1970s for compatibility with V-set trains, includes structures along tunnel roofs and sides, with ongoing modifications to support newer fleets while preserving the system's integrity.^[39][38] The signaling system incorporates Automatic Train Protection (ATP), being rolled out across the electrified sections to Mount Victoria as of 2025, featuring electronic transponders (balises) along the tracks to monitor speeds, enforce signals, and prevent collisions through automatic braking if necessary. This overlays colored aspect signals and integrates with existing cable trays and rail markers for gradient, radius, and survey data, with minor adjustments during possessions to minimize disruptions. ATP enhances safety on shared passenger-freight corridors, responding to prior incident recommendations.^[40] The infrastructure includes notable bridges and tunnels engineered for the rugged Blue Mountains terrain, such as the Knapsack Viaduct constructed between 1863 and 1867 as a seven-arched sandstone structure, and a total of 29 tunnels spanning approximately 6 km, with the Ten Tunnels Deviation alone comprising 10 brick-lined tunnels totaling 2.85 km (lengths ranging from 79 m to 790 m). These elements, including viaducts like those in the original Zig Zag alignments, are maintained to Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) standards for mixed-use durability, involving geotechnical monitoring, rock bolt replacements, and notching for clearance, ensuring resilience against water seepage and structural stress.^[30][41] Maintenance facilities supporting track and electrification include the Flemington Maintenance Depot in Sydney's west for heavy repairs and stabling of electric units, the Lithgow Depot for regional overhauls and freight integration, and the Lawson Electric Line Works Depot, a key staging site for infrastructure projects across the Blue Mountains. These depots handle routine inspections, overhead wiring adjustments, and trackwork under Sydney Trains and ARTC protocols, with recent expansions at Lawson to bolster reliability for intercity services.^[38][42]

Stations

The Blue Mountains Line serves 27 stations from Sydney's Central Station to Bathurst, facilitating commuter travel, regional connections, and tourism to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains area. These stations range from busy interchanges in the western Sydney suburbs to quaint stops amid rugged terrain, with facilities designed to support diverse users including hikers, families, and daily commuters. All stations feature Opal card readers for seamless tap-on and tap-off fare payment using the contactless system. Key stations include:

• Central (0 km): Major Sydney terminus with extensive intercity and suburban connections; full accessibility including lifts and parking.
• Strathfield (11.8 km): Busy interchange with suburban trains and buses; parking and DDA-compliant facilities.
• Lidcombe (16.0 km): Interchange with Olympic Park line; accessible platforms and parking.
• Parramatta (23.2 km): Major hub with light rail, buses, and suburban services; extensive parking and full accessibility upgrades.
• Blacktown (34.8 km): Key western Sydney interchange with buses and parking; lifts and compliant platforms.
• Penrith (49.5 km): A major interchange with bus, train, and future light rail connections, serving as a gateway to the mountains and western Sydney suburbs; it offers extensive parking and accessibility upgrades including lifts.^[43]
• Emu Plains (52.7 km): The starting point for the steep mountain ascent, with recent accessibility works completed in 2023-2024 under the Transport Access Program, including new lifts and compliant platforms.^[33]
• Lapstone: Features basic amenities and serves local residents; parking available for commuters.
• Glenbrook: Close to the Blue Mountains National Park entrance, with trail access; includes bike racks and limited parking.
• Blaxland: A small stop with heritage elements, offering kiss-and-ride zones and pedestrian links to nearby bushwalks.
• Warrimoo: Provides commuter parking and bus connections; known for its community-focused upgrades.
• Springwood (71.4 km): A tourism hub with approximately 500 parking spaces, art displays, and links to local galleries and cafes; fully accessible with lifts.^[44]
• Valley Heights: Home to a heritage rail museum; limited facilities but with recent safety enhancements.
• Faulconbridge: Quiet residential stop with basic shelters and accessibility ramps.
• Linden: Offers scenic views and parking; part of ongoing DDA compliance efforts.
• Woodford: Heritage-listed station with festival ties; bus interchange and planned lifts under 2024-2025 upgrades.^[45]
• Hazelbrook: Completed accessibility upgrades in 2023-2024 via the Transport Access Program, featuring new lifts and tactile indicators for easier navigation.^[33]
• Lawson: Boasts a heritage-listed 1925 building, preserved for its architectural significance; includes parking and local bus links.^[46]
• Bullaburra: Small platform with basic facilities; serves nearby walking tracks.
• Wentworth Falls (103.2 km): A tourism stop with art installations highlighting local flora and waterfalls; accessible paths connect to Echo Point lookout.^[47]
• Leura: Features a bus interchange for mountain shuttles and gardens; parking and DDA-compliant platforms post-upgrades.
• Katoomba (109.9 km): Premier tourism hub with direct access to Echo Point and Scenic World; major facilities including lifts, toilets, and extensive bus connections.
• Medlow Bath: Serves the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel area; limited parking but with scenic vantage points.
• Blackheath: Heritage station with 2023 accessibility upgrades including three new lifts; links to Govetts Leap and bushwalks.^[48]
• Mount Victoria: End of electric services, with planned 2024-2025 lifts under the Safe Accessible Transport program; heritage features and diesel changeover facilities.^[45]
• Lithgow (152.8 km): Key diesel locomotive changeover point for services to Bathurst; industrial heritage site with parking, lifts, and regional bus interchanges.^[10]
• Bathurst (204.2 km): The line's terminus, a major regional center with intermodal facilities including buses and future connections; extensive parking and full DDA compliance.

Of the 27 stations, 15 provide parking facilities to support commuters and visitors, with capacities varying from 50 to over 500 spaces depending on location and demand. Accessibility has improved significantly, with 12 stations achieving full Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance following post-2024 upgrades, including lifts, ramps, and tactile paving at key sites like Penrith, Springwood, Katoomba, and Lithgow. Unique features enhance the line's appeal: Lawson retains its 1925 heritage building as a listed structure reflecting early 20th-century rail design, while Wentworth Falls incorporates local art installations depicting native eucalypts and cascades to celebrate the area's natural beauty. Bus interchanges at Leura and Blacktown facilitate seamless multimodal travel, connecting to local routes and long-distance services. These enhancements, delivered through the Transport Access Program and Safe Accessible Transport initiative, prioritize safety and inclusivity while preserving the line's historic and environmental context.^[33][49]

Operations

Services and timetables

The Blue Mountains Line offers a combination of suburban and intercity train services operated by Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink, providing connectivity from Sydney Central to destinations in the Blue Mountains and beyond. Sydney Trains operates the T1 North Shore & Western Line suburban services extending to Mount Victoria, with half-hourly frequencies during peak periods (generally 6-10am and 3-7pm weekdays) and hourly services off-peak.^[50] These services typically follow all-stops patterns from Central to Penrith, then limited stops at key stations such as Parramatta, Penrith, and Springwood en route to Katoomba and Mount Victoria, allowing for faster journeys during peak times—such as express runs reaching Penrith in approximately 40 minutes.^[51] NSW TrainLink provides intercity services on the same line, extending beyond Mount Victoria to Lithgow approximately every 1-2 hours during weekdays, with reduced frequencies on weekends.^[50] These trains often alternate stopping patterns, including limited stops at major hubs like Parramatta, Penrith, Springwood, and Katoomba, while some peak services skip minor stations to improve travel times. The Bathurst Bullet, a dedicated express diesel shuttle service, operates two daily return trips each way between Sydney and Bathurst, taking about 3 hours end-to-end and connecting via Lithgow; it features limited stops similar to other intercity runs but prioritizes speed on the non-electrified section beyond Lithgow.^[51] Off-peak intercity services generally adhere to all-stops patterns from Penrith westward to ensure accessibility. Some T1 services incorporate express options via the Olympic Park branch during events or peak demand, diverging briefly before rejoining the main line at Lidcombe. The current timetable, effective from 19 October 2025, includes minor adjustments to timings and incorporates the rollout of new D-set trains on select services for improved reliability.^[50] In cases of disruptions, such as trackwork, replacement buses are deployed along affected sections, often between Penrith and Lithgow.^[52] Services integrate with local transport options, including connections to Blue Mountains Shuttle buses at Katoomba and other stations for access to tourist sites like Echo Point, as well as regional coaches from Lithgow for further travel.^[8] Passengers can use the Opal card system across all trains, with off-peak discounts applying outside rush hours.

Rolling stock

The primary rolling stock on the Blue Mountains Line consists of the Mariyung class D sets, a fleet of double-deck electric multiple units introduced on October 13, 2025, to provide all-electric services extending to Lithgow.^[17][2] These trains operate on the 1,500 V DC electrification system and are configured primarily as 8-car consists for suburban and intercity services between Sydney and stations up to Lithgow, offering a total passenger capacity of approximately 1,200 including standing room.^[37] They feature enhanced accessibility with low-floor boarding at end cars, dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, prams, and bicycles, and modern amenities such as air-conditioning throughout.^[17] Complementing the D sets are older V set double-deck electric multiple units, which continue to operate on electrified sections to Penrith, Katoomba, and Lithgow while being progressively phased out in favor of the Mariyung fleet.^[2] For the Bathurst Bullet service extending beyond the electrified section to Lithgow, single-deck N set Endeavour diesel multiple units are deployed, typically in 4-car configurations.^[53] These configurations—4- or 8-car for suburban and intercity runs and 4-car for the Bathurst extension—optimize capacity and performance across the line's demanding terrain. Maintenance for the intercity fleet, including D sets, V sets, and N sets, is primarily handled at the Flemington Maintenance Centre in Lidcombe, which serves as the main facility for servicing Sydney Trains' electric and diesel multiple units.^[54] Recent refits in the 2020s have focused on compatibility enhancements for the broader Waratah series integration within the network, ensuring interoperability for stabling and minor repairs.^[37] Performance specifications for the rolling stock are tailored to the line's challenging gradients, with a top speed of 115 km/h achievable on straights and acceleration profiles designed to handle inclines up to 1:40, enabling reliable operation through the Blue Mountains' steep sections.^[55]

Patronage

Usage statistics

The Blue Mountains Line saw peak annual patronage of 10,154,000 boardings in the 2018–19 financial year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[56] Following significant disruptions from the pandemic and shifts toward remote work, boardings declined to 7,152,563 for the financial year ending June 30, 2024. Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink annual reports serve as primary data sources.

Trends and impacts

Patronage on the Blue Mountains Line experienced steady growth in the early 2000s, rising from approximately 5 million annual trips in the mid-2000s to around 10 million by the late 2010s, driven by population expansion in western Sydney and increased tourism to the region. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline, with approximately a 30% drop in ridership from pre-pandemic levels due to lockdowns and remote work shifts. By 2024, partial recovery had occurred, supported by the rise of hybrid work arrangements that encouraged more flexible commuting patterns.^[57] Several factors have influenced these trends in recent years. The rebound in tourism following COVID-19 restrictions has boosted weekend and seasonal usage, particularly for scenic journeys to Katoomba and Leura. Improvements in comfort from the introduction of D set (Mariyung) trains, which entered service in October 2025, are expected to enhance off-peak travel appeal through features like better seating and accessibility. Economic shifts, including growth in Bathurst's manufacturing sector, have also supported commuter demand from the outer reaches of the line. The line's evolving usage has had notable social impacts on surrounding communities. In Katoomba, enhanced rail services present opportunities for modal shift from private vehicles to public transport, potentially reducing local traffic congestion and supporting sustainable urban mobility.^[58] During the 2022 floods, the line provided critical evacuation and supply support for remote Blue Mountains communities, underscoring its role in regional resilience. Environmentally, the line's electrification in 1957 to Mount Victoria has promoted cleaner travel across the electric segments compared to pre-electrification diesel operations. Nonetheless, the remaining diesel segments to Bathurst highlight opportunities for further sustainable upgrades. Looking ahead, patronage is expected to continue recovering, fueled by ongoing population growth in western Sydney and potential service enhancements, including the full rollout of Mariyung trains by 2026.

Future developments

Planned upgrades

The New South Wales government has proposed accessibility retrofits at three stations along the Blue Mountains Line—Woodford, Lawson, and Mount Victoria—as part of a broader initiative to meet Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT). Concept designs for these stations were released in August 2025, featuring new lifts for platform access, upgraded ramps, family-accessible toilets, hearing loops, tactile indicators, enhanced lighting, CCTV, and signage for safety.^[49] Community consultation on these designs concluded on 26 September 2025, with construction pending funding allocation and environmental approvals, including Reviews of Environmental Factors.^[59] Challenges include securing environmental approvals for works in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, as well as coordinating with Australian Rail Track Corporation for freight path sharing on the Main Western line to minimize disruptions during construction.^[49]

Recent initiatives

In 2025, Transport for NSW initiated the progressive rollout of the new Mariyung intercity train fleet on the Blue Mountains Line, replacing the ageing V-set trains that had been in service since the 1970s. The first Mariyung train entered passenger service on October 13, 2025, with two units operating that day and seven trains in operation by the end of the month, primarily during peak hours.^[37][17][60] As of November 2025, seven Mariyung trains are operating on the line, with further rollout ongoing.^[37] These double-deck electric multiple units feature enhanced accessibility, including wheelchair spaces, modern interiors, and improved safety systems, contributing to greater reliability and passenger comfort on the line. The introduction required infrastructure modifications, such as widening tunnels and expanding platforms, to accommodate the wider carriages. Full deployment across intercity services, including the Blue Mountains Line, is expected to continue through late 2025.^[2][15] To support smoother operations amid the fleet transition, minor timetable adjustments took effect on October 19, 2025, affecting intercity services on the Blue Mountains Line, including the Bathurst Bullet. These changes involve revised arrival and departure times for select trains, aimed at enhancing overall passenger experience and reliability, with no change to the number of services.^[51][50][61] Safety and technological enhancements have accompanied the fleet introduction, with the Mariyung trains equipped with advanced onboard systems for better monitoring and control. Additionally, real-time tracking via the Transport for NSW apps, such as TripView Lite and the Opal app, provides passengers with live updates on train locations and disruptions, supporting more informed travel planning.^[37] In response to community needs, accessibility improvements advanced in 2025 through the Safe Accessible Transport program, with concept designs released in August for upgrades at Lawson, Mount Victoria, and Woodford stations. These designs focus on better platform access, lighting, and facilities to benefit users with disabilities and promote inclusive travel. Community feedback sessions were incorporated to refine the proposals.^[62][63]