North Coast rail passengers could be waiting years to board NSW’s new multi-billion-dollar train fleet — despite being promised the upgrades would already be in service.

Instead, they are being sent back to the 1980s.

While new regional trains begin rolling out on western routes, the North Coast is expected to be among the last to benefit, leaving travellers reliant on refurbished XPT trains first introduced more than four decades ago.

Billions spent — but still waiting

The new Regional Rail Fleet — a project understood to be worth more than $3 billion — was originally slated to be operating at least two years ago.

The trains were built overseas, with the fleet manufactured in Spain and shipped to NSW for testing and commissioning.

But the rollout has been plagued by delays.

Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison says the setback stems from the former government’s public-private partnership model, which the current government dismantled late last year.

The Minns Government has argued that unwinding that arrangement was necessary to get the project back on track, but it has pushed back delivery timelines.

Future elsewhere — past on the North Coast

The first of the new trains is expected to enter service between Sydney and Dubbo, with a staged rollout across the network.

That sequencing means North Coast passengers are likely to be among the last to see the new fleet.

For now, it’s back to the era of Back to the Future.

Above: The Spanish-built trains first arrived in NSW in 2024 and went into testing on the Western Line last week.

Main Image: the repainted XPT, going back to its original colour scheme

The Sydney to Grafton XPT service will return on April 28, complete with refurbished trains in the original 1980s “candy stripe” livery.

The revival forms part of a $40.3 million life extension program designed to keep the ageing fleet running while the new trains are finalised.

Carriages have been upgraded with new seating, carpets and improved air-conditioning — but the bones of the train remain the same.

The interior of the new trains, which include power outlets at each seat, but no sleeper cars

Old — but not outclassed

Despite their age, the XPTs still offer features the new trains won’t.

Some regular passengers say the existing carriages are more comfortable for long-distance journeys.

And there is one major difference — sleeper cabins.

Passengers can still book sleeper berths on services from Casino to Sydney, an option that will disappear once the new fleet fully replaces the XPT.

Cost pressures driving demand

With fuel prices climbing, long-distance travel by car is becoming increasingly expensive.

Trips between the North Coast and Sydney can now cost hundreds of dollars in fuel, making train fares a far more attractive option.

For pensioners and concession card holders, heavily reduced fares continue to make rail one of the cheapest ways to travel across the state.