azyrite

Their replacements, the Mariyungs feature better accessibility, in-seat power, tray tables, security cameras and information screens.

Still a bittersweet moment though; there's just something so iconic about the V sets cruising up the Mountains that the Mariyungs don't quite capture.

🧵 3/3

However, the retirement of the V sets has unfortunately been accelerated in recent times due to the increase in vandalism such as kicked out windows and break-ins to guard compartments, with a lack of security cameras on board.

🧵 2/

After almost 56 years in service, the last V set revenue service ran on 30 Jan from Lithgow to Central, an eight car set of V25 and V10. The ends of the train were painted its the original "Blue Goose" livery and was greeted at Central by crowds of train enthusiasts

🧵 1/

#photography #trains

An eight-car long special V set with an orange headboard reading "Final V Set Revenue Service Lithgow to Central 30th January 2026" led by V25 trailed by V10 sits at Platform 2 of Central. The rear end of the train has been painted in the "Grey Goose" original livery, featuring blue and grey stripes.

Hectic but well worth it!

RIP V sets, you'll be missed

I'd imagine they don't field too many inquiries...

‘Sad day’: End of line for NSW’s beloved steel rattlers The final V-set train service will wind its way over the Blue Mountains to Sydney in two weeks, marking the end of an era for a workhorse of NSW’s railways.

56 years after the first 'Blue Goose' entered service on the electrified interurban railways connecting Sydney with the Blue Mountains and Gosford, the last in-service run of a 'V set' will be on January 30th.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...

You'd have to be real desperate to get to Melbourne any way except driving yourself to pay that much for a coach

Word's gone round that the last (revenue) run will be in the early hours of the 30th

Very cool!

Front-on view of a blue and yellow XPT train numbered "2009". The watermark of the photographer's Instagram, @azyrite.photo is visible in white text at the bottom left corner.

Brisbane XPT led by 2009 arrives into Hornsby on a warm sunny day. Trailed by 2015.

18th Dec 2025

#trains #photography

Pretty spot for taking photos of Vs while they're still around though

Looks great!

The distinctive front of a yellow and grey intercity "V set" train pulls into a curved platform on an overcast day.

V46 pulls into Katoomba

Taken 9 Oct

#trains #photography

These mountains stations are just gorgeous

T4 was absolutely packed yesterday. Can't believe they expected everyone to cram onto weekend frequency T4/LR to get around the city.

when is it not waffle o clock!

Very nice... We sorely need a proper sleeper service in NSW, and the demand is certainly there — just see how fast the current sleepers book out

A sleek modern double decker "Mariyung" train with a black and orange accented front and digital destination display reading "Mt Victoria" passing through a curved platform.

The front of a modern double decker Mariyung train, numbered D51 with black and orange highlights passing through the platform at Mount Victoria station with an empty destination board.

D set testing is well underway on the BMT with the first scheduled revenue train in under a week

Time is ticking for the old V sets!

#trains

Inter-city fleet renewal in New South Wales makes progress Inter-city fleet renewal in New South Wales makes progress https://bit.ly/3KJkRaU

Inter-city fleet renewal in New South Wales makes progress https://bit.ly/3KJkRaU

The exact budgeting is (hopefully) public somewhere but there is also a "Liveable and Safe Urban Communities" program (as part of Towards Zero) which does explicitly mention raised crossings and 30kmh zones although the exact funding details aren't clear from first glance

On TfNSW's website they state the funds go toward a variety of road safety programs including "infrastructure safety treatments" which includes better road surfaces, markings and engineering — so it very well could be although it's not explicitly mentioned

Probably not, since speed camera revenues (at least in NSW) go toward a community road safety fund. Either way they're still a good tool especially with our double demerit system around holidays and events

Love the art style, and it's really cool actually being able to visualise (one possibility!) of the future of our city!

To be fair in Sydney there are still a lot of places where contractors will go dig up something then dump a blob of asphalt as a "fix"

XP 2011 leading the Brisbane service alongside V31 at Central A blue, white and yellow XPT power car sits at a platform, ready to depart whilst a yellow, orange and grey-fronted V set with a silver body can sits on the opposite platform. The sky is a light blue...

XP 2011 waiting at Central leading the Brisbane service alongside V31

railblog.astrial.org/gallery/_MG_...

#trains #photography

This looks great! Do you make these in Illustrator?

"Just one more commuter car park"

XPT lead by XP2007 pulls into Fassifern station on the down A blue and yellow XPT power car numbered 2007 pulls into the platform with a moving freight train visible on the other track. The overpass of the station is visible in the background and the sky is b...

XPT power car numbered 2007 pulls into Fassifern on the down while a freight train hauled by Pacific National NR65 and 71 passes on the opposite track
railblog.astrial.org/gallery/XPT_...

#photography #trains

They need a couple examples of what NOT to do!

YouTube video by TheTrainGuy4 Sydney to Bathurst in under 3 hours? | Improving the Western Line

Yeah, TTG4 made a great video about that www.youtube.com/watch?v=03i8... and a lot of the line is cut into rock particularly the ascent