This Gopher Models item represents a CountryLink XPT circa 2006-2014. This livery first debuted in 2006 and was first replaced on a power car in mid-2014.
These sets are available with alternate Power Car Serial Numbers so please ensure you select the serial numbers you wish from the list above.
This set features:
1x XP power car (motorised)
1x XP power car (dummy)
1x XBH first class w baggage passenger car
1x XBR first class buffet & saloon passenger car
3x XF economy class passenger car
5 passenger cars not enough? Rest assured there will be extra single cars available in both SRA red and CountryLink/NSWTrainLink blue. SORRY - this is now low stock.
Features for the XPT lover!
Accurate replication of 3 different iconic liveries of the XPT, including SRA as delivered and the current NSWTrainLink scheme
Operational lighting in all passenger cars that glows through the iconic gold tinted windows – and check out the hot plates in the kitchen of the buffet car!
Model features:
Die-cast metal chassis, and injection moulded body on both power cars
Injection moulded body & under frame in all passenger cars, with an internal weight
Detailed interior correct for each passenger car
Coreless motor for silky smooth operation with very minimal noise, max. scale speed approx. 160kmph
No traction tires
Electrical pickup on every single wheel of the entire train, 2-pin connectors between all cars – no flickering interior lighting or stalling on dirty track!
Operating triple headlights, ditch lights and white/red marker lights, as well as interior lighting in all passenger cars*
Fitted with kinematic couplers featuring an electrical 2-pin connector
*Interior passenger car lighting is always on with track power
Gopher Models XPT included kinematic coupler tool use.
History:
The New South Wales XPT (short for eXpress Passenger Train) is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB. Based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train (HST 125), each XPT set comprises two XP power cars in a push-pull configuration and, between them, from four to seven passenger carriages.
The XPT was procured following a competitive tendering process, with an initial contract for 30 trainsets, comprising 10 power cars and 20 carriages, in March 1980. Testing commenced in August 1981 and the first set entered service under the State Rail Authority during January 1982. The XPT proved to be considerably faster than existing trains, reducing the journey time between Sydney and Melbourne by up to two hours.
Throughout the 1980s, additional XPT sets were procured, permitting the launch of services such as the Northern Tablelands XPT and the Riverina XPT. During the early 1990s, sleeping cars were procured, permitting the XPT to effectively take on overnight services such as the Sydney/Melbourne Express. There were also advanced plans made for additional XPTs to be produced for Thailand, but they were later abandoned.
The XPTs are currently operated under NSW TrainLink, running on long-distance regional and interstate North Coast, Main Western and Main Southern line services throughout New South Wales and interstate into Victoria and Queensland.
The trains have been subject to refurbishments and overhauls to permit their use into the twenty-first century. During October 2016, the NSW government announced the XPT fleet would be entirely replaced as part of the Regional Train Project. The replacement fleet, originally set to enter service in 2023, has encountered delays (now scheduled for around 2025–2027), thus the XPT will operate longer than originally anticipated with the potential for them to be retained after the new trains enter service.
