New write-up of my day out spotting CAF Civity testing in Sydney is live:
railblog.astrial.org/r-set-testin...
#photography #trains #trainspotting
22.02.2026 11:08
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New write-up of my day out spotting CAF Civity testing in Sydney is live:
railblog.astrial.org/r-set-testin...
#photography #trains #trainspotting
Trains are definitely packed, in my experience at larger stations like these passengers are not permitted onto the platforms until the train has actually arrived or is going to shortly, there are ID-enabled ticket gates on station entry and before access to platforms
my railblog is back up: railblog.astrial.org
occasional photo essays, #trains, etc. ty for support :)
alt: A bright red diesel locomotive hauls a heritage passenger train along a double‑track railway through a bushy area under overcast skies. The loco has yellow handrails, chevron stripes on the front, and a small "Picnic Train" headboard, a maroon and yellow loco and heritage coaches behind
Maitland Picnic Train crawls toward the railway bridge parallel to the B83 on its return journey toward Central after a short pause to allow a Mariyung to pass, led by 4903
15th Feb 2026
#trains #photography
Their replacements, the Mariyungs feature better accessibility, in-seat power, tray tables, security cameras and information screens.
Still a bittersweet moment though; there's just something so iconic about the V sets cruising up the Mountains that the Mariyungs don't quite capture.
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However, the retirement of the V sets has unfortunately been accelerated in recent times due to the increase in vandalism such as kicked out windows and break-ins to guard compartments, with a lack of security cameras on board.
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After almost 56 years in service, the last V set revenue service ran on 30 Jan from Lithgow to Central, an eight car set of V25 and V10. The ends of the train were painted its the original "Blue Goose" livery and was greeted at Central by crowds of train enthusiasts
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#photography #trains
An eight-car long special V set with an orange headboard reading "Final V Set Revenue Service Lithgow to Central 30th January 2026" led by V25 trailed by V10 sits at Platform 2 of Central. The rear end of the train has been painted in the "Grey Goose" original livery, featuring blue and grey stripes.
Hectic but well worth it!
RIP V sets, you'll be missed
I'd imagine they don't field too many inquiries...
56 years after the first 'Blue Goose' entered service on the electrified interurban railways connecting Sydney with the Blue Mountains and Gosford, the last in-service run of a 'V set' will be on January 30th.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
You'd have to be real desperate to get to Melbourne any way except driving yourself to pay that much for a coach
Word's gone round that the last (revenue) run will be in the early hours of the 30th
Very cool!
Front-on view of a blue and yellow XPT train numbered "2009". The watermark of the photographer's Instagram, @azyrite.photo is visible in white text at the bottom left corner.
Brisbane XPT led by 2009 arrives into Hornsby on a warm sunny day. Trailed by 2015.
18th Dec 2025
#trains #photography
Pretty spot for taking photos of Vs while they're still around though
Looks great!
The distinctive front of a yellow and grey intercity "V set" train pulls into a curved platform on an overcast day.
V46 pulls into Katoomba
Taken 9 Oct
#trains #photography
These mountains stations are just gorgeous
T4 was absolutely packed yesterday. Can't believe they expected everyone to cram onto weekend frequency T4/LR to get around the city.
when is it not waffle o clock!
Very nice... We sorely need a proper sleeper service in NSW, and the demand is certainly there — just see how fast the current sleepers book out
A sleek modern double decker "Mariyung" train with a black and orange accented front and digital destination display reading "Mt Victoria" passing through a curved platform.
The front of a modern double decker Mariyung train, numbered D51 with black and orange highlights passing through the platform at Mount Victoria station with an empty destination board.
D set testing is well underway on the BMT with the first scheduled revenue train in under a week
Time is ticking for the old V sets!
#trains
Inter-city fleet renewal in New South Wales makes progress https://bit.ly/3KJkRaU
The exact budgeting is (hopefully) public somewhere but there is also a "Liveable and Safe Urban Communities" program (as part of Towards Zero) which does explicitly mention raised crossings and 30kmh zones although the exact funding details aren't clear from first glance
On TfNSW's website they state the funds go toward a variety of road safety programs including "infrastructure safety treatments" which includes better road surfaces, markings and engineering — so it very well could be although it's not explicitly mentioned
Probably not, since speed camera revenues (at least in NSW) go toward a community road safety fund. Either way they're still a good tool especially with our double demerit system around holidays and events
Love the art style, and it's really cool actually being able to visualise (one possibility!) of the future of our city!
To be fair in Sydney there are still a lot of places where contractors will go dig up something then dump a blob of asphalt as a "fix"
XP 2011 waiting at Central leading the Brisbane service alongside V31
railblog.astrial.org/gallery/_MG_...
#trains #photography