“V” is for valedictory today as the last V-set train pulls into Central Station for the final time after five and half decades in service.
The workhorse fleet of V-sets have travelled the equivalent distance of 298 times to the moon since hitting the tracks in 1970, serving millions of Sydney Trains passengers.
Notable for their stainless steel panelled exterior and distinctive ‘bush plum’ coloured seats and interior, the final V-set has been freshly sprayed in the classic ‘Blue Goose’ livery of royal blue and grey for its final run before entering retirement among the heritage fleet.
The final run leaves Lithgow at 5.47am to arrive at Central at 8.32am.
When it pulls into platform two it will mark the full introduction of the modern intercity Mariyung fleet on the Blue Mountains Line.
Mariyungs began taking over from the V-sets on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in December 2024 and were then introduced on the Blue Mountains Line from October last year.
The introduction of the modern Mariyungs will improve reliability for passengers on these lines, part of a $458 million push by the Minns Labor Government to bring rail reliability up to scratch.
The former Liberal-National government botched their introduction, spending $1.7 billion more than they estimated in 2014, according to the NSW Auditor-General, and failing to get them on the tracks while they were in office – despite promising they would be in service in 2019.
With extra leg room, high seat backs, tray tables for laptops, charging ports for mobile devices, accessible toilets and designated spaces for wheelchairs, bikes and prams, the Mariyung has been warmly received this year by intercity commuters.
Since the Mariyung replaced the V-sets on the Central Coast Newcastle Line, there has been a decrease in security and vandalism incidents thanks to the enhanced safety and design features of the newer Mariyung fleet in conjunction with the retirement of the V-sets.
When the V-sets first entered service, between Sydney and Gosford and later to Newcastle and the Blue Mountains, their sturdy double-deck design marked a new era in high-capacity rail travel and were lauded as a smooth ride on the longer intercity routes.
At least four carriages of the ‘Blue Goose’ V-set used for the final service will be retained for heritage purposes, while the future of the remaining 81 retired V-set carriages is still being determined.
Sydney Trains recently completed an Expression of Interest open to the public – including heritage groups and private collectors – to acquire the retired carriages, with applications currently being assessed.
Mariyung trains are currently targeted to be launched on the South Coast Line by the first half of this year.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“These are the trains that for over two generations have carried visiting tourists, weary commuters and train lovers alike.
“In those more than five decades on the tracks, the distance the fleet has travelled is the equivalent of going to the moon about 298 times.
“We all know these trains, whether that’s by their distinctive stainless-steel exterior with the ‘blue goose’ livery or the ‘bush plum’ coloured seats inside, often referred to as ‘eggplant’.
“Happily, this farewell marks the full introduction of the intercity Mariyungs on the Blue Mountains Line bringing a major step up in comfort and accessibility.
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“The V-sets were described as luxurious when they first hit the tracks in the 1970’s, and over the decades they have become a much-loved and iconic part of travel between Sydney, Newcastle, Lithgow and Wollongong.
“Now it’s time to say final farewells to the trains affectionately known as the ‘steel rattlers’ and deliver the full complement of Mariyungs to the Blue Mountains Line.
“The Mariyung trains represent a major upgrade – offering improved comfort, safety and accessibility features.”
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said:
“It’s an honour to be travelling aboard the final Blue Mountains V-set passenger train with many other train lovers. These locally developed and built trains have served our community well for more than 50 years.
“Honoured to be dubbed ‘The Train Lady’ some years back – for my support of workers, the V-sets and Transport Heritage – I particularly want to applaud the hard work of our drivers, guards, and crews of these workhorses over this long period of service.
“We are a community that commutes, and I am committed to ensuring our public transport network is the best it can be.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“Since 1970 the V-set trains have been the workhorse for the intercity fleet. From the Blue Mountains to Parramatta, these trains have provided commuters with the opportunity to travel across our great state.”
“While the familiarity of the V-sets will be missed by commuters and train enthusiasts alike, the introduction of the Mariyung fleet will provide a modern, accessible and worthy successor to these iconic trains.”
Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said:
“These final V-set trains are part of the 1977 fleet, a major initiative of the Wran Labor Government to boost service quality and safety. Now the Minns Labor Government is modernising the fleet again with the implementation of the Mariyung fleet for modern commuter standards.
“The V-sets have served the community well through most of my lifetime and I have fond memories of catching them from Blacktown into the city.”
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM said:
“Today we mark the final run of the much-loved V-sets on the Blue Mountains Line — trains that have served our Penrith community for generations. As we farewell these icons of our rail history, we also look ahead with excitement to the Mariyung trains, which deliver a more modern, accessible, and comfortable journey for passengers of our community.
“While many Penrith residents will feel nostalgic farewelling the V-sets, the new Mariyung trains will deliver a more reliable journey for our community now and into the future.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:
“It will be emotional when the Blue Goose heads down the Blue Mountains for the last time, and we will give the V-sets a fitting farewell for their 55 years of service at Central Station.
“While it’s a day for nostalgia, it’s also important we modernise our fleet for the benefit of the millions of train passengers that use the intercity network every year.
“So, it’s exciting to be delivering on the full Mariyung rollout on the Blue Mountains Line, and we look forward to launching these more modern, comfortable and accessible trains on the South Coast Line soon.”
