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Getting to Country NSW

Exploring historic towns, beautiful national parks and fun festivals in Country NSW is easy. You can take a road trip, fly into regional airports and rent a car, or arrive by train at railway stations steeped in colonial charm. Don’t forget to bring your bike for a cycling adventure.

Pack the car for a scenic day's drive or an epic road trip . You can take your own vehicle or hire one from a regional airport. Roads throughout this region are sealed and well signposted – just remember to stick to the local speed limit and take a break every couple of hours.

Foodies will want to explore the NSW Food and Wine Trail through Orange and Mudgee or the Tablelands Food and Wine Trail that loops through Murrumbateman and Young . Follow the river along the Mighty Murray Drive or hunt for gemstones on the Fossickers Way Drive .

Many towns in Country NSW are well serviced by regular flights from Sydney and other state capitals. Qantas, Virgin Australia, Rex and FlyPelican all operate flights within NSW. You’ll find major airports in towns including:

• Wagga Wagga

Travel by train

Embrace slow travel and hop aboard a train through regional NSW. Trains regularly depart Sydney for Tamworth, Armidale and Moree in the state’s northwest. Travel over the Blue Mountains by train and visit Bathurst , Orange, Dubbo or Parkes .

The Melbourne-Sydney rail route travels through the pretty Southern Highlands and into The Riverina , stopping at Wagga Wagga and Goulburn . Coaches connect train stations with smaller towns on all routes. Plan your trip and book tickets with NSW TrainLink .

Where to stay

You’ll also find places to stay to suit all budgets in Country NSW. Options range from camping, caravanning and holiday parks to heritage pubs, guesthouses, cottages, motels, farm stays, resorts and retreats.

Splash out with a luxurious glamping stay at Sierra Escape in Mudgee or choose a chic eco hut at Kimo Estate in The Riverina. Sleep on the water on a Murray River houseboat or pitch your own tent in a secluded national park with just native wildlife for company.

Useful links

• Live Traffic NSW
• NSW TrainLink
• Driver Reviver
• Bureau of Meteorology

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Trip Planner - NSW Transport 4+

Sydney opal public train & bus, jerrycan co pty ltd, designed for iphone.

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Plan any trip via any mode to anywhere in Sydney for free. Store favourite trips and stops for quick reference on your commute. Get the latest trackwork or service alerts Whether you're old enough to remember MX newspapers on trains, or new to Sydney, this app is designed to make horrific commutes slightly less so! Simple trip planning for all modes of travel, up-to-date train network alerts, stored favourite trips - everything you need to get to and from work and play hassle-free...for free. The only thing this app can't do is cancel trackwork or prevent people playing music loudly enough that you can hear it in spite of their headphones! Trip Planner • Train, Metro, Bus, Ferry, Light Rail, Foot • Mixed-mode planner • Take the same route often? Save your favourite Trips • Simple, easy to use interface Trackwork and Service Alerts • If you use public transport in Sydney, chances are you know how useful these will be! • Service alerts by journey • Know in advance if you need to make a detour or avoid a particular line due to trackwork Subscribe to Trip Planner and get: • Exactly the same app, but with a feeling of mutual appreciation between us • No ads, ever! • All for the low, low price of bugger all, which is Australian for $1/month Please note that while we make our best effort to ensure timetable accuracy, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of those provided. If you purchase a subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. Automatic renewals will cost the same price you were originally charged for the subscription. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://jerrycan.co/metro/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://jerrycan.co/metro/terms.html

Version 2023.15

- Hotfix for a rare bug.

Ratings and Reviews

Being able to save trips has been a lifesaver in this app. If not for that, the interface is quite confusing at first (which is unlike Apple). I do also wish that the “departing now” interface was removed and replaced with infinite scrolling like on the TripViewLite app. Other then that I think it’s a nice app.

Developer Response ,

Thanks very much for the thoughtful review!

Easy for high school

I’m going into high school and it was terrifying thinking about catching trains but with trip planner it’s so easy! There aren’t any ads and honestly I love it! It’s similar to the website, but easier to access.

Previous version 100% better. Previous version was more user friendly & gave greater detail especially when transferring to different modes of transport ie:- train to bus or walk in between without having to go back to start again. When trying to find which mode of transport is faster to get to destination current version was more difficult than previous version and become frustrating To use. It also did not help when trains were delayed.

Hey thanks for taking the time to write such a useless and unhelpful review! It’d be great if you could provide some reasons or examples next time. Merry Christmas!

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Five Easy Day Trips from Sydney by Train

These five easy day trips from Sydney by train mean that you don’t need a car to explore the city’s outer reaches. If you take the train, everyone can relax and take in the scenery. You can even enjoy a few cheeky drinks at lunch if you like and snooze on the trip home! I have chosen trips that take two hours or less, so you will have enough time on arrival to explore and enjoy the destination.

I really could have made this six trips by train if I encouraged you to visit Newcastle but I decided after doing it again recently myself for a catch up with family, I think it’s just a little too far to be a fun day trip. Stay for a weekend instead.

Kiama and the Illawarra

Woy woy and the central coast, katoomba and the blue mountains, brooklyn and the hawkesbury river, bowral and the southern highlands.

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For many years, the major attraction in the pretty seaside town of Kiama has been the famous Kiama Blowhole, with the lovely beaches and the rocky coastline a close second.

There are some big draw cards, including the 20km long Kiama Coast Walk that opened a few years ago. It’s a lovely scenic track that is easy to complete by train, with stations at the start and finish. No need to complete the entire thing; it is easily carved up into three sections, perfect for families or those short on time.

You could choose to complete it over a few visits.

• Minnamurra to Kiama Blowhole (8km)
• Kiama to Loves Bay (5km)
• Loves Bay to Gerringong (6km)

To fuel all that walking, you will need some sustenance. After years of being best known for its ice creamery and fish and chips, the town has a growing food scene. Among our favourites is  Penny Whistlers in Shoalhaven Street, offering some fantastic salads like the Roasted Broccoli & Macadamia, or big juicy burgers and even a Brazilian seafood stew; all served with stunning water views. I also love Otis Deli, owned by Emily Herbert, the ex-head chef at Ottolenghi Belgravia. They do fantastic salads and are perfect for stocking up on picnic supplies.

The region is also famous for its fresh produce. Head to the waterfront park for one of the many markets, including a weekly growers market on Wednesdays and various weekend options. Check the local tourism site for details .

The Blowhole is still worth a look when the weather is behaving, and the nearby visitor centre will help you out with maps and suggestions for where to eat.

In warm weather, a swim at one of the four ocean swimming pools along the coast is hard to resist.

Photographers will love Cathedral Rocks just south of town. If the weather is not so kind, the historic Terrace Shops and many cafes will help fill your time.

The trip down from Sydney’s Central Station takes about 2 hours. You can also join the train at Hurstville. Tip : Ride on the left side of the train for the best views

The train ride north from Central to the Central Coast town of Woy Woy takes about 75 minutes, with the final 30 minutes from Hornsby to Woy Woy being quite picturesque.

Woy Woy itself has come to life over the last few years, from a dull commuter suburb to one of the coast’s foodie hotspots.

Check out Link and Pin just opposite the station on arrival for a great coffee (and more) served by a super friendly team. Woy Woy is also home to several second-hand bookshops and op shops – I rarely leave without a treasure or two. The Bayview Hotel, just across from the station, has a Rooftop Bar, Frankies with a Japanese-inspired menu. They make a decent cocktail too! Another popular lunch option is seafood from Fishermans Wharf . Either grab some takeaway or splurge on a meal in the attached restaurant.

From the wharf near the Bayview Hotel, you can take a ferry to explore the local waterways, the cute little ferry heads over to Empire Bay – no need to get off, just make a round trip.

There are several beaches you can explore with the help of the local buses, including Ettalong, Umina, Pearl Beach and Patonga.

Local bus (53) to Ettalong Beach, takes less than 10 mins. Once you are there, stroll the 2km waterfront walk to Umina Beach. Several buses will get you back to Woy Woy. Alternatively, take the ferry to Palm Beach and make your way back to Sydney on the bus.

If you are a regular reader of our site, you will know we have a bit of a love affair with the Blue Mountains and as a non-driver myself, I have done this trip by train more times than I can count. The train ride west to Katoomba is probably the most popular of the journeys we are sharing today, with good reason. You can take a limited stops train from the city at 7.30am and be in the mountains by 9.30am ready to tackle your first bushwalk or hunt down your first lookout .

We recommend strolling via the main street of Katoomba down to Echo Point (there is a bus if you want to save your legs) and then taking a walk to Scenic World via the Giant Stairway and the valley floor. You can take the Scenic Railway up to the top for a reduced fee.

If you prefer to stay up high, the Prince Henry Cliff walk is a brilliant choice, with dozens of lookouts along the way.

The Hawkesbury River is a popular spot for local water lovers with fishing, skiing, kayaking and houseboat rental popular along its 120km path from Broken Bay to Penrith. It is thought to be one of the cleanest rivers in the state.

The best-selling Australian novel,  The Secret River,  is set on the Hawkesbury. It is also the location used for the 2004 feature film The Oyster Farmer.

Once you have had a look around the waterfront, we suggest you get out on the water. There are a few ways to do this; you can take the ferry to Little Wobby or Dangar Island or join the official River Postman on his daily run. Hire boats are also available if you are brave!

Dangar Island Circuit:  We have some lovely friends who live on Dangar Island and have had a couple of great visits there. You can take a walk around Dangar, an easy 1 km trip before popping in to the club or the cafe for refreshments. The locals are friendly, and you will probably find someone to chat to. You can read my friend’s article on Brooklyn here . There is a more challenging walk at Little Wobby or you explore the bushland on the mangrove walk which you can reach on foot from Brooklyn. Tip : Hawkesbury River Station has 100 stairs and no lift, but the staff will help with prams if required. We do not recommend it to wheelchair users.

Hawkesbury River station in Brooklyn is on the Newcastle and Central Coast train line. Find more ideas for exploring the Hawkesbury.

Most Sydneysiders think Bowral is a lot further from Sydney than it is, but it is the perfect distance for a day trip. The train journey takes between 90-120 minutes, depending on the time of day.

So why do we think you should head to the Southern Highlands – well, so many reasons – among them:

• The Bradman International Cricket Museum
• The autumn and spring foliage
• Antique shops and boutiques
• A pie from Gumnut Patisserie or Stones Patisserie
• Fine dining at Paste Thai Restaurant or one of the other local options

The Southern Highlands offers a little taste of English style countryside close to Sydney. With four distinct seasons, it is a lovely spot to spend a day and feels you have travelled a long way.

The direct train from Central takes just 90 minutes and delivers you to the heart of Bowral. This is a Canberra Service that makes a stop at Mittagong on the way to Bowral. You can also join a service at Campbelltown Station that takes approximately one hour.

Check out our Beginner’s Guide to the Southern Highlands for more ideas about spending time here.

We have written a great list of day trips from Sydney if you have a car .

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney? Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help

Main Image – Kiama from the air – Credit Dee Kramer Photography (Destination NSW)

11 thoughts on “Five Easy Day Trips from Sydney by Train”

I love day (or weekend) trips to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba! They’re some of my favourite places in (far) western Sydney.

Good to know there are places you can get to so easily (and cheaply). I enjoyed my trip to the Blue Mountains but didn’t get to many other places outside of Sydney so I’d love to explore more when I hopefully get back there

I always enjoy catching the train to somewhere and the South Coast line is particularly beautiful and picturesque. I always enjoy that train trip.

I haven’t been to Australia yet but this post helps me understand where I need to visit.thanks for sharing

This is amazing! I have a driving license, but I don’t feel confident to drive in a different country, so it’s good to know you can access all these beautiful places by train 🙂 I’m saving this guide for later!

So good to know you can visit many places from Sydney easily! I absolutely love train rides so I just saved your post for later 🙂

I love Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Some great insider tips here for places to explore. What a coastline. Thanks for sharing.

I had never thought about taking a train trip through a foreign country but this sounds so fun. It would definitely take some stress off and I wouldn’t worry about getting lost this way. Plus, the stops all sound like so much fun, and beautiful. Definitely worth adding to the “to do” travel list.

Australia is such a dream destination of mine! These places are beautiful and the fact that they’re reachable by train is a huge bonus 🙂

I have done the train to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains with my eldest daughter who lives in Sydney. We had 3 amazing days of facials and massage and also seeing the sights.

Once again, you have me excited about planning another trip to Sydney. We have been a few times, but always without a car, something that has stopped us from visiting the Blue Mountains. But a train option opens up a world of possibilities.

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The Riverina Rail Tour now includes a ride on the Zig Zag Railway! Call Chris or Tammy on  1300 421422

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Step back in time with us and travel in style aboard our restored 1960s ‘aurora australis’ sleeping train..

Celebrate Australia’s diverse history and rich culture with visits to regional towns, gardens and attractions. Travel on rail lines which don’t have scheduled passenger services, making this a real adventure.

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Our original and most popular rail tour – we enjoy the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the great dividing range at the beginning and end of our journey, the vineyards of the Hunter Valley and Orange, and we have the rare opportunity to travel on freight lines only across the Liverpool Plains from Werris Creek on the way to Orange. A real treat is the spectacular scenery in the Capertee Valley on the way to Rylstone

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The second adventure that we designed is our Riverina Rail Tour heading south from Sydney into the heart of Australia’s ‘food bowl’. You’ll receive a warm welcome from the communities of the Riverina, and learn a lot about the produce that they grow, some of their challenges and innovations. You will also travel on some rail lines which don’t have scheduled passenger services, making this a real adventure.

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The newest of our tours, the North Coast Rail Tour is fast becoming one of our favourites. Every day there is a different view of the NSW coastline. Our guests have told us that they saw the North Coast in a way they never have before. You’ll discover the beautiful Hastings River at Port Macquarie, the breathtaking hinterland rainforest and eclectic community of the Northern Rivers region, the crystal clear creeks and uncrowded surf beaches of the Macleay Valley Coast, and the history and heritage of Maitland & Morpeth.

20-24 October 2024

Our 1960’s ex-Southern Aurora train is the most convenient and stylish way to enjoy Australia’s greatest touring car race. Board the train at Central Station, Sydney on Friday lunchtime. Sit back and relax as we travel to Bathurst. Enjoy the convenience of staying on board the train on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nights. The circuit is only an 8 minute Bus ride away, with Buses departing every 30 minutes.

11-14 October 2024

Experience a four-day rock ‘n’ rail extravaganza, cruising through the scenic heartland of Central West NSW to the iconic Parkes Elvis Festival.

We are delighted to once again partner with Railway Adventures to bring you the Elvis Special tour 9-12 January 2025. Starting and finishing at Sydney Central, join us on board our private Aurora Australis sleeping train for the Elvis Special adventure in regional NSW.

9-12 January 2025

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Check the discounts available for NSW regional travel

Before you buy train or coach tickets for trips in regional NSW, it's a good idea to check the many deals that are available.

Savings can be made when you:

• book tickets online
• get a Discovery Pass for unlimited booked travel
• buy  child and family fares
• travel in a group
• take advantage of special sale fares when they're on offer.

Subsidised or concession fares are also provided for travel in regional NSW.

Visit the pages listed below and select the 'Regional NSW' drop-down menu to find discounted fares available for:

• Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs pensioner concession card holders
• seniors card holders
• secondary school students
• tertiary students
• apprentices or trainees
• job seekers and Centrelink customers
• asylum seekers
• war widow/ers
• people with disability .

For more information on regional tickets and fares, visit the Transport website.

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NSW government called to allow pets on trains, metros by owners bringing dogs to parliament

Dozens of pet owners and their dogs stormed NSW parliament calling for animals to be allowed on trains, metros and domestic flights.

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Pet owners accompanied by their dogs and one shy cat in a carrier bag flooded NSW parliament, calling for NSW to allow pets on trains, metro services and domestic flights.

Advocates say it would bring NSW’s laws in line with Victoria, where small animals can travel on all forms of transport if suitably caged. Dogs are also allowed on trains, trams and buses as long as they’re on a lead and wearing a muzzle.

Organised with pet suppliers Pet Circle, about 50 protesters and 20 dogs filled Macquarie St outside NSW parliament on Thursday morning,

Lending their support was Greens MP Amanda Cohn, Ryde Liberal MP Jordan Lane and Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst, who spoke at the event.

Ms Hurst said it wasn’t fair for the government to expect every household with a pet had a car, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.

“We want to make sure out city is companion animal friendly, because if you can’t get your animals to events, if you can’t get them to specialist appointments, you can’t get them to the dog park by walking, then you need some kind of access system,” she said.

She said the government could consider “pet carriages,” which would function like quiet carriages. Similar on domestic flights, areas could be separated to accommodate people with allergies or phobias.

“It’s something the community is calling for,” she said.

“There’s always going to have to be restrictions or rules around how this happens but the fact that it’s already happening in other places around the world (including Victoria) proves that it can work.”

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen is currently considering a petition launched by independent MP Alex Greenwich, which garnered 10,515 signatories.

Mr Greenwich said he hoped “common sense (would) prevail,” and bring Sydney up to date with other global cities.

“More and more workplaces are becoming companion animal friendly. Obviously a lot of people got companion animals during Covid, so we understand there’s an increase in people with companion animals, and we want to encourage people to take public transport rather than driving and adding to congestion,” he said.

“People should be able to take their fur babies on trains to go to vet visits, doctors appointments, to work and to go see friends.”

Attending the event, Kirrawee resident Jenny Gormley, 70, and her cavoodle Dolly, was forced to travel about two-and-a-half hours on five buses, instead of a 40 minute train trip in order to attend the protest.

She said she would be happy to put Dolly in a basket, and said current rules could be amended to allow pets to only travel on trains during off-peak periods.

“I just think it should be fairer. I’m happy to put my dog in a container, bag or basket, and she’s really good like that,” she said.

Ms Haylen confirmed Transport for NSW was looking at its policies around pet travel, and acknowleded the “deep bond between pet owners and their companions”.

“While we recognise the benefits of allowing pets on public transport, we must also consider the needs of other passengers, including individuals with disabilities and transport workers,” she said.

A man has surprised his partner and passengers on board by taking over the PA system on their flight to Bali.

An expat has revealed the four “obvious signs” that give away an American tourist in this country with one including how they walk.

It was dubbed as the “dream paradise for all mankind”, but instead — this mammoth resort-like billion-dollar city is a ghost town.

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Thousands of Sydney commuters are in for a "tough" 12 months when their train line closes this year

Here's the NSW Government's plan for commuters who live along the Bankstown to Sydenham line, which is set to close for metro conversion

Back in February, it was revealed that the Bankstown to Sydenham train line will be closed for 12 months while it’s converted to become a stretch of Sydney’s driverless metro system . And now, as work on Sydney’s metro network continues, more details have been revealed about what the NSW Government's rail-replacement plan is when the year-long metro conversion starts in a few months' time.

“This is going to be a disruptive 12 months for the people of Canterbury Bankstown and for the Inner West, but there is light at the end of the tunnel," says NSW Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen.

“Communities that rely on the T3 line are going to have a tough time. That’s why we’ve worked to deliver as many alternative public transport services as possible, including high-frequency Southwest Link bus services with multiple routes.

"We’re also looking out for passengers in the west to help them through this tough 12-month conversion. Bankstown will get a new T6 Train service to Lidcombe and there will be a direct train service from Liverpool to the City via Lidcombe, Berala and Regent’s Park.”

The shutdown of the rail line will mean reliance on a rail-replacement bus between Bankstown and Sydenham Stations (ugh). A lthough it's been flagged previously that trip times will double for some of the people living along that line , the bus plan *sounds* almost promising – with three dedicated bus routes set to run every two to four minutes at peak times, and a mix of 'all stops' and 'limited stops' services.

To complement the bus service, Transport for NSW has announced that they’ll be introducing changes to the Sydney Trains timetables at nearby stations. The train timetable changes will include introducing   a direct rail service to the CBD from Liverpool via Lidcombe Station, including Berala, Regents Park, Sefton, Chester Hill, Leightonfield, Villawood and Carramar Stations. Plus,   Transport for NSW will introduce a   new T6 Lidcombe and Bankstown service – providing dedicated train services between Bankstown and Lidcombe, including Yagoona, Birrong, Regents Park and Berala, with connections T3 Liverpool and Inner West Line at Regents Park.  Sydneysiders can also expect changes to rail services at Erskineville and St Peters Stations, where passengers will be serviced by the T8 Airport and South lines.

Alongside changes to the train timetables, Transport for NSW plans to work with councils to improve walking and cycling links, with the aim of helping passengers easily access nearby public transport hubs.

If walking or cycling doesn't sound up your alley, there are rumours of an e-scooter trial to link three stations (Dulwich Hill, Marrickville and Tempe). Firm details around this are thin on the ground, but the Inner West Council is in discussions about utilising existing cycle routes in areas a ffected by the closure of the Bankstown line to explore how e-scooters could potentially be introduced elsewhere. These discussions come after a successful e-scooter trial in Kogarah that launched earlier this year , but Transport for NSW is keen to state that the responsibility falls to the council to decide when and where e-scooters are introduced. 

Once the track conversion is complete, residents along the Bankstown to Sydenham line will have access to fully accessible stations with a super high-tech metro line, set to run  a service every four minutes at peak times. You can learn more about the progress and plans for Sydney Metro over here . 

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  

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Sydney metro west is going ahead – here’s what we know so far., western sydney's transport systems are getting a $1.9 billion upgrade, good news on the driving-front: ticketless parking fines could be scrapped in nsw ..

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Brisbane-to-Sunshine Coast rail link locked in for Olympics with $5.5b funding

A critical rail link between Brisbane and the beaches to its north is now locked in with a total of $5.5 billion secured from the state and federal governments.

The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will be 19 kilometres long from Beerwah to Caloundra in its first stage.

But long-term planning remains for the line to travel north along the coastline and then into the central business hub of Maroochydore.

Trains to cut commute by 45 minutes

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has announced the Commonwealth will bring its contribution to $2.75 billion and match the funding  promised by Queensland premier Steven Miles in late February .

"We're investing [an additional] $1.15 billion making sure the Sunshine Coast has the infrastructure it needs to connect it to opportunities in a faster, more reliable way," Ms King said.

"Once complete, the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will save commuters up to 45 minutes, with journeys from the new Sunshine Coast stations to Roma Street station taking around 45 minutes less than driving in peak hour."

Premier Steven Miles said the rail may also lead to more houses being built in an area notorious for its shortages.

"The heavy rail connection will also allow us to unlock tens of thousands of additional homes," Mr Miles said.

"Homes that can allow us to relieve the pressure on supply, which we know is driving up prices," he said.

Rail race for the Olympics

Mr Miles has previously said the Beerwah and Caloundra line could be ready for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics, but only with support from the Commonwealth.

The plan has been on the books since the late 1990s but never funded for construction.

In early 2022, the Morrison government vowed to pay $1.6 billion to develop the rail line to Maroochydore, to be matched by the state, but its budget never passed parliament due to the coming election.

While the funding was maintained by the incoming Labor government, a business case into the project found the amount was too little to fund the whole project.

The state government estimates the first stage to Caloundra will likely cost between $5 billion and $7 billion.

New line will 'anchor' future rail

Ms King and Mr Miles said the decision to build the line in stages, and not all at once, was under advice from the project's business case.

"The business case said that if you tried to build it all the way to Maroochydore, all at once, you would have no trains operating for at least 10 years," Mr Miles said.

"What we have here is a fully funded, well planned project that we can get underway on and start working on."

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt said the first part of the line would be an "anchor" for the rest.

"This a once in a generation funding infrastructure transport announcement," he said.

He said the first stage to Caloundra would include 19km of track, 10 bridges, an overpass over the Bruce Highway, and about 7km of elevated rail over wetlands.

"The construction phase can now get ahead in 2026, to be completed by 2032.

"It's a massive piece of work."

Deputy Opposition Leader and Coast MP Jarrod Bleijie said not building the line to Maroochydore ahead of the Olympics amounted to a broken promise.

"Maroochydore and Kawana will miss out, and Caloundra will be consigned to a car park," he said.

Main Roads director-general Sally Stannard said there would be 500 car park spaces at each station, which was supported by modelling.

Federal Opposition MP Andrew Wallace said while he thanks the commonwealth for the new funding, he said delays added to the price tag.

"And now of course delays in infrastructure costs means billions of dollars in additional costs," he said.

Trains will 'revolutionise' Coast transport

Nine-time Paralympian and Professor of Performance Sport Brendan Burkett said the rail line would make life easier for both athletes and residents come 2032.

"[It] opens up the door of accessibility for everyone in the community," he said.

"You don't have to be a Paralympian with mobility issues — young or middle-aged, they now have more accessibility for transport and getting around.

"And having the Games here is just a real bonus."

Rail advocate Jeff Addison said he welcomed the locked-in funding that would "revolutionise" travel for residents and visitors to the region.

"We're the only region of our size that doesn't have a rail line that goes into its heart, and this will start that process," he said.

"It means people will be able to come from the Gold Coast and Brisbane and get close to our beaches.

"It'll revolutionise transport here on the Sunshine Coast."

He said he hoped trains would travel every 15 minutes to ensure they are well used by commuters between Brisbane and the Coast.

"If rail is fast, frequent, and affordable, people will use it," Mr Addison said.

"At the moment. It's not really fast, certainly not for people up on the Sunshine Coast.

"So this will go a long way towards improving that"

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Five mind-blowing facts - New York Central passenger trains

Mind-blowing facts - new york central passenger trains.

We are 50-plus years into the Amtrak era, which began on May 1, 1971. A few Amtrak trains still carry the identity of the conveyances they imitate - California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Crescent - to mention a few. What lives on today is a contemporary train - traveling a route similar to the original, but not quite - that is a shadow of their forebears. When it comes to American passenger trains, names like the Super Chief, City of New Orleans, or Capitol Limited evoke a hushed reverence and the legend of exceptional service, comfortable accommodations, fine food, and a schedule well maintained.

If these few name trains are the stuff of legend, then the New York Central, its Great Steel Fleet, and trains like the 20th Century Limited are the stuff legends are made of. Many have argued that the 20th Century Limited was the finest passenger train on American rails. Argue how you like and long for the days of yore, but either way come along now for a glimpse behind the legendary standard passenger trains of the New York Central. There is more to the story than meets the eye across all the years. These are five-mind blowing facts about the passenger trains of the New York Central.

No. 1 - The Century by the numbers

The New York Central's top passenger train was the 20th Century Limited . It was an all-Pullman, extra-fare, luxury liner running between New York and Chicago on a 15-hour schedule in 1948. An early-1930 advertisement by the NYC stated that: "The 20th Century Limited long since ceased to be a ‘train.' It is a daily fleet of trains." In the 12 months prior to the ad's appearance, the NYC had dispatched 2,153 trains carrying the  20th Century Limited name. That works out to almost six sections of the train daily. The record day came in January 1929 when seven Century sections traveled eastbound from Chicago to New York carrying 822 passenger.

Each Century section required a crew of nearly 70, which is a ratio of one crew member for every 1.75 passengers. Included among the staff were sleeping car porters, dining car waiters, stewards, cooks, maids, barbers, manicurists, valets, and secretaries.

Equipment-wise, the NYC kept 24 locomotives and 122 identical luxury sleeping cars on standby to meet demand and or mitigate negative situations impacting the Century's schedule. The schedule, by the way, was guaranteed to the point that the NYC refunded each passenger $1 for each hour the train was late. Also, the 122 standby sleepers, as with all cars assigned to the Century, had to be turned so that passenger room windows faced the waters of the Hudson River going into or coming out of New York. The NYC paid attention to the smallest detail so passengers would have the best travel experience.

No. 2 - The Wolverine and My Old School

Grab those stereophonic headphones, it's time for a trip back to 1973 …

I remember the 35 sweet goodbyes

When you put me on The Wolverine up to Annandale

It was still September

When your daddy was quite surprised

To find you with the working girls in the county jail

I was smoking with the boys upstairs when I

Heard about the whole affair, I said oh no

William and Mary won’t do …

Dial the volume down from 10 and let's interpret what you just heard. This is the first verse of the song My Old School from the group Steely Dan's 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy. Band leaders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker tell the story of getting caught up in a pot bust at their old school - Bard College - in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. The incident happened in May 1969, a time when "long hairs," like Fagen and Becker, were targeted for their behavior - real or imagined.

The Wolverine was a New York Central train running from New York to Chicago, and was popular transportation for Bard students. The train ran an interesting route, ducking into Canada after Buffalo, N.Y., and returning to the U.S. at Detroit, before a final sprint to the Windy City. It carried both sleeper and coach accommodations.

The time visited in My Old School was a time when The Wolverine, like many passenger trains, was in decline. Starting in 1957, the train lost its observation car. By December 1967, The Wolverine was no longer a named train, merely appearing as Nos. 17/8. During the Penn Central period, the train remained numbered only - westbound, Nos. 61/17. Eastbound, No. 14, was truncated at Buffalo, with passengers needing to change trains at 2:30 a.m. in order to reach New York.

Interestingly in all of this, The Wolverine never stopped in Annandale-on-Hudson. The closest NYC station to Bard College was 8 miles away in Rhinecliff, N.Y. Finally, today's Amtrak Wolverine, running between Chicago and Pontiac, Mich., via Detroit, is a direct descendant of the original NYC train … although neither of them would actually get you to my old school.

No. 3 - Would you like butter with that?

The 20th Century Limited epitomized the concept of a passenger train being akin to the finest hotel or steamship, but one that glides along steel rails rather than remaining perched on a foundation or cresting the next wave. During the Century's heyday, its two arch-competitors could be found in the Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Capitol Limited , both of which also ran a New York-Chicago route. It has been reported, that all else being equal in the mind of the passenger, the choice of which train to take sometimes came down to the dining car the passenger preferred.

If a passenger liked butter, the  20th Century Limited was the way to go. Beginning with the Century's inauguration in 1902, Dr. William Seward Webb, a Vanderbilt relation and president of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad over whose tracks the Century ran west of Buffalo, N.Y., became the official source for the train's butter provision. Webb owned a hobby agricultural venture - Shelburne Farm, located on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont. For a hobby farm, the operation was stunning, featuring well-maintained, prized herd of purebred Hereford cattle. From here, Webb produced the luscious creamy butter served aboard the Century.

For each passenger, the Century carried one pound of butter. The butter was served at table in the dining car and also used in the kitchen for cooking. However, whether traveling New York to Chicago or Chicago to New York, a pound of butter was allotted for each passenger. " … the diners of the Century may will have rolled on butter in their journal boxes," commented noted author and photographer Lucius Beebe in his book on the train.

No. 4 – Beer and NYC trains don't mix

New York's Grand Central Terminal stands as an icon in the railroad world. Since opening on Feb. 2, 1913, millions have passed through its spectacular halls, beginning, or ending a long-distance journey or merely as part of a daily commute. The Terminal's construction solved a significant neighborhood problem, by putting the trains underground and converting Park Avenue, running north of the station, into a boulevard befitting the posh uptown neighborhood the area was becoming.

Constructing Grand Central's two levels of track required massive excavations along Park Avenue. From 42nd to 50th street 1.6 million yards of rock were drilled and removed along with 1.2 million cubic yards of earth. More than 200 buildings were razed as the terminal site expanded from 23 to 48 acres.

One of the many construction challenges that arose appeared in the two-block area bounded by Lexington and Park avenues and 50th and 52nd streets. Roughly a third of these two blocks were occupied by two schools and church, another third by businesses and apartments. The last third, and the largest single landholder was the F.&M. Schaefer Brewing Co. The brewery fronted Park Avenue and for many years enjoyed having a street-level siding. With the tracks being moved below street level, the brewery's siding was gone. More disturbing, however, was that the drilling vibrations and the close proximity of the railroad excavations to the brewery threatened underground lagering cellars.

Despite the setbacks and danger, The F.&M. Schaefer Brewing Co. did not protest the planned expansion. On Nov. 22, 1902, according to the New York Times, former city controller Ashbel P. Fitch, representing the brewery, stated, " [F.&M. Schaefer Brewing Co. will] not stand in the way of any great public improvement, and that although they had already suffered by the closing of streets, they were willing to suffer more for the public good."

Ultimately, Schaefer Brewing closed the Manhattan plant, sold the incredibly valuable land, and built a new brewery in Brooklyn.

No. 5 - Late to its own funeral

Into the 1950s, the 20th Century Limited, like other passenger trains was in decline. The allure of faster jetliners and the freedom of the automobile had taken its toll. The last run of the Century was announced for Dec. 2, 1967. The announcement really wasn't a big announcement, but rather a whisper in an attempt to reduce the fanfare around the great train's demise.

Only half full, the Century departed from Grand Central Terminal track 34 at 6 p.m. The fanfare was minimal: a group of railfans gathered on the famous red carpet, taking photos of observation-lounge Wingate Brook, which brought up the rear of the train. Beyond that was the press, taking photos of the railfans. Aboard the train, despite the crew putting on a good face, the equipment was worn, and it was clearly the final trip.

In the dark of night, west of Harbor Creek, Pa., another train had derailed, blocking the Century's path. The train sat still for hours until it was detoured over the Norfolk & Western. In the end, the last run of the 20th Century Limited limped into Chicago around 6:45 p.m. - 9 hours, 50 minutes overdue - late to its own funeral.

News | London

London travel news LIVE: King's Cross trains hit with disruption over broken rail amid M25 traffic

Trains running from King’s Cross have been hit with severe delays because of a broken rail, affecting services heading in the Stevenage direction.

Passengers are being warned of delays of up to 40 minutes on Grand Central, Great Northern, Hull Trains, LNER, Lumo and Thameslink services between the two stations.

The disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.

Meanwhile, on the M25 there are long delays due to an earlier crash at J10 A3 (Wisley Interchange). Following two separate accidents, all lanes open again.

Earlier on Friday, the QEII Bridge at the Dartford Crossing was closed. Police were called to “concerns for someone on the bridge” shortly before 5.20am. 

The Croydon Tramlink remains part suspended, while the Northern Line is also suffering minor delays.

Follow latest updates below .

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King's Cross services hit by delays

A broken rail is affecting many King’s Cross services this afternoon, with disruptions expected until the end of the day.

The following services are affected:

Grand Central between London Kings Cross and Bradford Interchange / Sunderland

Great Northern between London Kings Cross and Kings Lynn, and also between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City

Hull Trains between London Kings Cross and Hull / Beverley

LNER between London Kings Cross and Lincoln / Bradford Forster Square / Leeds / Harrogate / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Aberdeen / Inverness

Lumo between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh

Thameslink between Brighton and Cambridge, and also between Horsham and Peterborough

Ambulance service confirm M25 response

The South East Coast Ambulance Service has confirmed it responded to a medical incident at around 9.50am on the M25.

The emergency service said it acted on reports of a person in need of medical attention on the hard shoulder of the M25 between junction 6 and 5.

“One ambulance crew attended the scene and the person was assessed and treated before being taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill,” a statement added.

Crash on M25 around J10 causes traffic

There is currently around six miles of traffic on the M25 clockwise due to a crash at junction 10, Wisley Interchange.

All lanes are still open.

Good service resumes on DLR

The earlier severe delays on the DLR have ended, says TfL, and a good service is now running on the line.

Severe delays on DLR continue

There are still severe delays on the DLR between Canning Town and Woolwich Arsenal while TfL fixes a faulty train at Pontoon Dock.

There are also minor delays on the Elizabeth and Northern lines.

All lanes reopen but delays remain on M25

All three lanes of the M25 anticlockwise have now reopened after a crash between junctions 6 and 5 on Friday morning.

However, National Highways said there are still delays of around 50 minutes for traffic passing through.

Four miles of tailbacks now reported

The medical incident that followed the crash on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 6 and 5 has now led to four miles of congestion along the road.

One lane is currently closed along the secion towards Clacket Lane services in Surrey. It is causing delays of around 45 minutes.

All lanes stopped and traffic is stationary after M25 crash

All lanes have stopped and stationary traffic due to crash on the M25 anticlockwise from J6 A22 (Godstone) to (Clacket Lane Services) in Kent.

All traffic stopped at around 10am, according to Inrix data.

Now also minor delays on the Elizabeth line

Transport for London has warned of delays on the Elizabeth line.

There are now minor delays between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals as well as Reading while Network Rail fixes a points failure at Southall.

Busier than expected traffic after lorry sheds load

Traffic is heavier than normal on an M25 exit ramp after a lorry shed its load on the A3 Southbound at M25 J10 (Wisley Interchange).

There are currently on the M25 clockwise through Surrey past Downside and Hachford.

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Lumo to launch new London to Manchester low-cost trains

Six return trains a day will run between london euston and rochdale via manchester victoria, article bookmarked.

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New train services between London Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria could be launched by the low-cost train operator Lumo.

Transport company FirstGroup , which owns the brand, plans to run six returns a day using new UK-built trains powered by electricity and batteries.

Services would also call at Eccles , Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay.

The station at Eccles provides connectivity for Salford’s Media City area, while the last time Rochdale had a direct London link via the Manchester city centre station was in 2000.

FirstGroup estimates that the new services, which could begin in 2027, would provide 1.6 million people in the North West with a “convenient and competitively priced direct rail service to London from stations that are more local to them”, helping to stimulate a shift in transport mode from coach and car travel to rail.

The Lumo brand, which currently runs services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh, was launched in October 2021 on an open-access basis, meaning it receives no taxpayer-funded subsidies and takes on all revenue risk.

Most train operators in England are paid a management fee, with the government holding responsibility for costs and revenue. FirstGroup is the majority owner of Avanti West Coast, the current franchisee for the main line from Euston to Birmingham, Manchester, northwest England and Glasgow.

FirstGroup also runs another open-access operator, Hull Trains.

The company has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road seeking permission to launch the London-Rochdale route.

FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland said: “We have extensive experience of running open-access rail operations and we want to bring our successful Lumo service to this new route that connects Rochdale and London.

“We have seen the level of growth and opportunity that is possible with open access, as well as the positive effect it has on the wider market, including economic and environmental benefits.

“In addition, the new service will help to drive modal shift from road to rail between the North West and London. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we build our application and our case for this new service.”

This latest application brings the number of proposed new open-access rail routes in Britain to eight.

Ministers are planning measures to encourage further schemes, such as providing more certainty over the duration of the application assessments, reconsidering the required balance of costs between taxpayers and operators, and ensuring all unused track access slots are made available.

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