Announcements by “The National” during the Victorian Election campaign, that they would introduce hybrid passenger trains to service the metropolitan passenger requirements in Victoria, has sparked interest by SEATS who have been advocating for Hybrid passenger trains to be introduced into NSW on the South Coast Rail Line to provide a better passenger service to/from the Bomaderry/Nowra rail terminus.

SEATS believes that Hybrid trains, when combined with certain other rail infrastructure upgrades, could provide the opportunity to improve the freight train pathing between Bomaderry and Unanderra and the freight paths into Port Botany.

SEATS Executive Officer, Greg Pullen, said “That with the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan being finalised by Transport for NSW at this moment, SEATS will be looking for an announcement to introduce a new class of NSW passenger trains in the Regional Rail Fleet, a Hybrid passenger train that can work seamlessly across the non-electrified section between Bomaderry and Kiama and the electrified section north of Kiama.  Technically a Hybrid train could operate to Wollongong, Sutherland or any other station within the Sydney Train’s electrified network on the South Coast/Illawarra lines.”

Works on certain other aspects of the South Coast Rail Line, including the Bomaderry Station Yard would be required to accommodate more than a single Regional Rail set and to enable freight trains in and out of the Manildra Intermodal facility to unload grain and to load containers for overseas export through Port Botany.

“Additional passing loops and a revised timetable will be required on the predominantly single track between Bomaderry and Unanderra to better co-ordinate freight trains through the passenger network that already requires longer passenger trains and a greater frequency of passenger services. Hybrid trains would be the answer.” Mr Pullen added.

The new NSW Regional Rail fleet will operate with an Australian first – bi-mode technology – providing a more environmentally friendly rail service. Bi-mode technology enables the train to run using either diesel engines or electric power from the overhead wire when operating on the electrified train network. Bi-mode technology will significantly reduce carbon emissions and diesel particulates, compared to the current regional fleet.