Written By: Duck Wilson
Photos By: Duck Wilson, Dean Jones, Simon Barber, Thomas McIntosh, Thomas Bulic, Joshua Waston, Ian Green
and Declan Goodsell
Page Last Updated: 25/6/20
The Endeavour Railcar is a class of fourteen (originally fifteen) Diesel Multiple Unit trains in service with NSW Trains. The class operates on the non-electrified areas of the NSW Trainlink (formerly CityRail) Intercity network with the first sets entering service in 1994.
All fifteen sets were built for service with CityRail by ABB Transportation, alongside the XPLorer Railcar class for CountryLink (now NSW Trainlink Regional). The Endeavour railcars are mechanically identical to the XPLorers but features a lower level of passenger amenity.
The reasons behind the name “Endeavour” are unknown, but are possibly linked to the HMS Endeavour, the ship captained by James Cook on his first voyage to Australia.
All fifteen sets were built for service with CityRail by ABB Transportation, alongside the XPLorer Railcar class for CountryLink (now NSW Trainlink Regional). The Endeavour railcars are mechanically identical to the XPLorers but features a lower level of passenger amenity.
The reasons behind the name “Endeavour” are unknown, but are possibly linked to the HMS Endeavour, the ship captained by James Cook on his first voyage to Australia.
N3 with the 'Bathurst Bullet' at Rydal. (14/1/19)
Photo By: Duck Wilson |
N5 with a Campbelltown service at Bowral. (14/6/18)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
The Endeavour Railcars were announced on 5th April 1992 and constructed at ABB Transportation’s workshops in Dandenong, Victoria. They and the XPLorers were built to a design based on the ADP/APQ Railcar in service built by Comeng in 1987 for WestRail (now TransWA)’s Australind service between Perth and Bunbury. In November 1994, one extra two-carriage set was ordered to bring the total number to fifteen sets.
An ADP/AQ railcar near McIver in Perth's CBD. ABB’s design for the Endeavour and XPLorer railcars was based on these railcars. (12/10/91)
Photo By: Simon Barber
Photo By: Simon Barber
Each Endeavour set is made up of two carriages – one Luggage Endeavour (LE) carriage and one Toilet Endeavour (TE) carriages. Each carriage is fitted with a 6-cylinder turbocharged Cummins KTA-19R engine developed 513 horsepower for propulsion and a 6-cylinder Cummins LT10R(G) engine to power a Newage Stamford UCI274F alternator, supplying power for air-conditioning and lighting.
The LE carriages feature dedicated luggage space and can set ninety-five (95) passengers, arranged in 3 x 2 formation. Originally the seating was fixed – this was changed to reversible upon refurbishment in 2008-10. The LE carriages are numbered LE2851 – LE2864.
The TE carriages feature a wheelchair accessible toilet and a dedicated wheelchair space with seating for eighty-two (82) passengers. The TE carriages are numbered TE2801 – TE2814.
There have been examples of Endeavour sets running with two TE carriages or two LE carriages, but this is exceptionally rare.
The Endeavour railcars can operate as four, six or eight carriage trains by coupling multiple sets together. They are also inter-operable with the XPLorer Railcars and previously, with the Hunter Railcars.
In revenue service, the regular maximum is four carriages, with six and eight carriage trains usually operating only as empty-to-depot moves.
Endeavour Railcars are capable of 160km/hr but are limited to a top speed of 145km/hr in regular service
The LE carriages feature dedicated luggage space and can set ninety-five (95) passengers, arranged in 3 x 2 formation. Originally the seating was fixed – this was changed to reversible upon refurbishment in 2008-10. The LE carriages are numbered LE2851 – LE2864.
The TE carriages feature a wheelchair accessible toilet and a dedicated wheelchair space with seating for eighty-two (82) passengers. The TE carriages are numbered TE2801 – TE2814.
There have been examples of Endeavour sets running with two TE carriages or two LE carriages, but this is exceptionally rare.
The Endeavour railcars can operate as four, six or eight carriage trains by coupling multiple sets together. They are also inter-operable with the XPLorer Railcars and previously, with the Hunter Railcars.
In revenue service, the regular maximum is four carriages, with six and eight carriage trains usually operating only as empty-to-depot moves.
Endeavour Railcars are capable of 160km/hr but are limited to a top speed of 145km/hr in regular service
Fleet Status
Set No.N1 TE2801/2851
N2 TE2802/2852 N3 TE2803/2853 N4 TE2804/2854 N5 TE2805/2855 N6 TE2806/2856 N7 TE2807/2857 N8 TE2808/2858 N9 TE2809/2859 N10 TE2810/2860 N11 TE2811/2861 N12 TE2812/2862 N13 TE2813/2863 N14 TE2814/2864 N15 TE2815/2865 |
LiveryNSW Trainlink
NSW Trainlink Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail Ex-Cityrail |
OwnerNSW Trainlink
NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink NSW Trainlink |
Begun ServiceMar 1994
Apr 1994 May 1994 May 1994 Jun 1994 Jul 1994 Jul 1994 Aug 1994 Sep 1994 Sep 1994 Oct 1994 Nov 1994 Nov 1994 Dec 1994 Sep 1995 |
Current StateOperational
Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational |
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N10 with a Moss Vale service at Menangle. (15/1/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh |
N12 exits the Picton Tunnel heading to Campbelltown. (18/7/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
The first fourteen Endeavour Railcars entered service with CityRail in 1994, replacing locomotive-hauled trains and a variety of older railcars, such as the 600/700, 620/720 and 900 (DEB) classes.
The first services were operated on the Hunter Line, with the Southern Highlands and South Coast (Dapto – Bomaderry) Lines following soon after.
In October 2012, CityRail introduced a daily Bathurst – Sydney return service, operated by an Endeavour across the Main Western Line. Dubbed the “Bathurst Bullet”, the initial service proved successful, prompting the introduction of a second service by NSW Trainlink (CityRail’s successor) in September 2019.
All fourteen sets passed to NSW Trainlink upon the latter’s formation in September 2013.
The first services were operated on the Hunter Line, with the Southern Highlands and South Coast (Dapto – Bomaderry) Lines following soon after.
In October 2012, CityRail introduced a daily Bathurst – Sydney return service, operated by an Endeavour across the Main Western Line. Dubbed the “Bathurst Bullet”, the initial service proved successful, prompting the introduction of a second service by NSW Trainlink (CityRail’s successor) in September 2019.
All fourteen sets passed to NSW Trainlink upon the latter’s formation in September 2013.
N2 with a service to Goulburn near Towrang. (5/8/18)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
N8 running from Kiama to Sydney at Kogarah. (16/6/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
As of June 2020, the Endeavour Railcars work the following services.
Hunter Line: Newcastle Interchange – Maitland/ Telarah, with limited services to Dungog and Scone. Shared with the Hunter Railcars, originally shared with the 620/720 class railcars until these were replaced by the Hunter Railcars in 2007. Traverses Main North, North Coast and Newcastle Lines
Southern Highlands Line: Campbelltown – Moss Vale. Limited services extending north to Central or south to Goulburn. Traverses Main South Line.
South Coast Line: Kiama – Bomaderry shuttle service. Formerly Dapto – Bomaderry until the Dapto – Kiama section was electrified in 2001. Traverses Illawarra Line.
Blue Mountains Line: “Bathurst Bullet” service: Two daily return Bathurst – Sydney services, operating Bathurst – Sydney in the morning and Sydney – Bathurst in the evening. Traverses Main Western Line.
Endeavour Railcars previously operated weekend only Wollongong – Moss Vale services via Robertson and the Unanderra – Moss Vale Line – these ceased in 1995 with East Coast Heritage Rail (then known as 3801 Limited) taking over with their “Cockatoo Run” service.
On weekdays only, one South Coast Line service operated from Wollongong – Bomaderry (in that direction only), stopping all stations. This service ceased in 2013.
During trackwork when far South Coast Line is isolated from Sydney, the Bomaderry shuttle has extended north to Dapto or Wollongong.
Hunter Line: Newcastle Interchange – Maitland/ Telarah, with limited services to Dungog and Scone. Shared with the Hunter Railcars, originally shared with the 620/720 class railcars until these were replaced by the Hunter Railcars in 2007. Traverses Main North, North Coast and Newcastle Lines
Southern Highlands Line: Campbelltown – Moss Vale. Limited services extending north to Central or south to Goulburn. Traverses Main South Line.
South Coast Line: Kiama – Bomaderry shuttle service. Formerly Dapto – Bomaderry until the Dapto – Kiama section was electrified in 2001. Traverses Illawarra Line.
Blue Mountains Line: “Bathurst Bullet” service: Two daily return Bathurst – Sydney services, operating Bathurst – Sydney in the morning and Sydney – Bathurst in the evening. Traverses Main Western Line.
Endeavour Railcars previously operated weekend only Wollongong – Moss Vale services via Robertson and the Unanderra – Moss Vale Line – these ceased in 1995 with East Coast Heritage Rail (then known as 3801 Limited) taking over with their “Cockatoo Run” service.
On weekdays only, one South Coast Line service operated from Wollongong – Bomaderry (in that direction only), stopping all stations. This service ceased in 2013.
During trackwork when far South Coast Line is isolated from Sydney, the Bomaderry shuttle has extended north to Dapto or Wollongong.
TE2802 with LE2856 at Yerrinbool. (23/1/18)
Photo By: Declan Goodsell |
N11 with a Campbelltown service at Bowral. (15/2/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh |
The mechanical similarity and inter-operability of the XPLorer and Endeavour Railcars has allowed easy conversions. There are two major examples of this.
Following the electrification of the South Coast Line from Dapto – Bomaderry, in 2002, N15 (TE2815/ LE2865) was converted into an XPLorer – LE2865 became EA2508 and TE2815 became EC2528. These carriages are distinguishable from the original XPLorer carriages due to their use of plug crew doors: Original XPLorer carriages used swing doors for the crew compartments and plug doors only for the passenger compartments.
Following the electrification of the South Coast Line from Dapto – Bomaderry, in 2002, N15 (TE2815/ LE2865) was converted into an XPLorer – LE2865 became EA2508 and TE2815 became EC2528. These carriages are distinguishable from the original XPLorer carriages due to their use of plug crew doors: Original XPLorer carriages used swing doors for the crew compartments and plug doors only for the passenger compartments.
Xplorer carriage EC2528 leads NP24 through Belford. (3/8/18)
Photo By: Dean Jones
Photo By: Dean Jones
A second example is carriage TE2805 (from N5) was temporarily used as an XPLorer carriage on Sydney – Canberra services in 2007, allowing XPLorer cars to be sent to Melbourne for refurbishment. The CityRail logos were removed, the skirts painted black and the interior refitted to the standard of an economy XPLorer carriage, but otherwise it remained as it was.
Liveries of Endeavour RailCars
CityDecker liveried TE2804 on a transfer train at Dandenong. (7/3/08)
Photo By: Ian Green |
CityDecker liveried TE2807 in South Dynon. (21/10/09)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Ex-Cityrail liveried N14 near Aylmerton. (5/1/19)
Photo By: Joshua Watson |
N3 leads a Goulburn service out of Bundanoon. (5/1/19)
Photo By: Joshua Watson |
N1 arrives at Picton with a Moss Vale service. (15/1/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh |
N2 with a Telerah service arrives into Warabrook. (22/1/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
All information sourced from Wikipedia and Rail Motor Society