Gopher Models N Scale SRA InterCity XPT single passenger car, for adding to your 5 car XPT set.
Please note that a maximum of 7 passenger cars, in addition to the two power cars at either end of the train, is recommended. A maximum of 7 passenger cars is the limit set by the prototype, and is the maximum number of cars we have tested.
Please also note that this passenger car is fitted with a bespoke kinematic type coupler, this is not compatible with any off the shelf brands of couplers, i.e. Rapido couplers or Micro-Trains knuckle couplers. It is only designed to be used with the Gopher Models N Scale XPT sets.
Available to purchase when stock arrives, pre-order is not available. Please note some details are subject to refinement.
This Gopher Models item forms part of an SRA InterCity XPT as delivered from 1982 into the late 1980s in N Scale. The first instance of this livery being replaced by SRA CountryLink livery is in 1991.
Contains:
- 1x XF economy class passenger car
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:
- Injection moulded body & under frame in all passenger cars, with an internal weight
- Detailed interior correct for each car
- 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 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
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.
Curious to learn more about the XPT fleet and history? Wikipedia is a great place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_XPT
