Marking a first in New South Wales’ transport history, trains have commenced testing under Sydney Harbour as part of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.
The new metro trains are completing test operations in the 15.5-kilometre twin railway tunnels that extend Sydney’s Metro North West Line from Chatswood Station to Sydenham Station.
Once the trains begin passenger operations next year, this route will transport more people across the Harbour in peak hours compared to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel combined.
The first stage of testing within the tunnel is taking place at low speeds, with trains manually driven at up to 25 kilometres per hour.
The trains will then gradually start high-speed testing, reaching maximum speeds of 110 kilometres per hour.
Throughout the comprehensive testing and commissioning programme, each train will also undergo acceleration and brake tests on the newly built track, as well as a series of system checks.
This programme will continue throughout 2023, prior to passenger services starting in 2024.
