Sydney Metro Northwest train test at Rouse Hill

The Sydney Metro Northwest isn’t operating just yet but you would be forgiven for thinking that after the train was put through testing at Rouse Hill.

“How incredible is this?” Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.

“That impressive new bridge over Windsor Rd now has our driverless metro train doing test runs across it, meaning Metro is really becoming a reality.”

The train crossed the Windsor Rd bridge towards Kellyville station. Testing programs had previously been contained at Sydney Metro headquarters at Rouse Hill. Trains were initially tested at 60km/h on the Skytrain before reaching speeds up to 100km/h. Testing will progress into the twin 15km railway tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping.

Sydney Metro Northwest trains have undertaken 10,000km of testing at Rouse Hill. A total of 44km of overhead wiring has been installed and nine out of 22 trains have been assembled. The Windsor Rd bridge is the first cable-stayed railway bridge built on a curve in Australia.

Sydney Metro features 13 stations, 4000 commuter car spaces and a train every four minutes in the peak. The train line will be extended into the city and Bankstown in 2024 when Sydney will have 31 metro stations and a 66km metro rail system.

“Sydney Metro Northwest train test at Rouse Hill”, Rouse Hill Times, July 17, 2018,  https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/rouse-hill-times/sydney-metro-northwest-train-test-at-rouse-hill/news-story/8f165526e2934e5342296af8f7f47fd2