1993 November - Sydney Terminal - Welcome the Xplorer cars

This beautifully captured video of Sydney Terminal and its railway operations begins with a new Xplorer set sitting in readiness for departure to Tamworth. The Xplorer cars had entered revenue service some five (5) weeks earlier on 5th October 1993.

Sleek by design, perfectly poised in the striking CountyLink livery of grey, torquiest and blue, these diesel multiple units built by ABB Victoria. The Xplorers were planned replacements of the ageing loco hauled fleet and 900 class deb set rail cars, heralding a step change in passenger comfort and experience combined lower operations and maintenance costs.

Sitting in quiet grandeur, the Xplorers' slumber is disrupted as Clyde GM 42216 defiantly muscles in, provokingly stopping alongside, an arrogant reminder that loco hauled services hold the lions share of passenger haulage during this time of change.

Let the video roll, immerse yourself in the operational self narrative, a passing parade of loco hauled services arriving and departing, as Barry Tulloch's 3112 shunts her vintage train in readiness for departure, with period back drop of V sets performing weekend interurban rosters while S, T and C sets deliver suburban services to and from Central Electric providing an all encompassing scene..

Applaud the 48 class yard shunter and crew, whom perform diligently their duties in adverse weather conditions, amalgamating and dividing locomotives from passenger trains. Duties within a roster that, in the not too distant future will be redundant, a distant memory. Strong memories to the workers of that era, and sadly, a generation from today, only imaginable after viewing this video.

Moreover, enjoy the ambient sounds of Sydney Terminal; heavy rain fall on platform canopies, the lusty GM chant of 42206 sitting idle on the pointy end of CL27 Moss Vale via Wollongong passenger, the unique sounds of a new Xplorer train laying over, and the ongoing platform announcements provided by local Sydney Terminal staff, and of course the distinct voice of radio announcer Grant Goldman.

The video concludes on arrival at Moss Vale with CL27.