The New South Wales R sets are a type of bi-mode multiple units (EDMUs) being built to replace NSW TrainLink's Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services, as well as Sydney Trains' Endeavour fleet for diesel intercity services. The fleet is being built by CAF as part of their Civity family of trains. They were known as the Regional Rail Fleet (RRF) during procurement.
History In the lead up to the 2015 state election, the Baird Government committed itself, if re-elected, to replacing the XPT fleet (19 power cars and 60 carriages).$1 billion overhaul to cut train travel times for XPT The Border Mail 16 March 2015Coalition promises new trains will replace XPT The Daily Examiner 17 March 2015 Having been returned to office in October 2016, the government announced it was also considering replacing the Xplorer (23 carriages) and Endeavour (28 carriages) fleets.New country train program accelerated Transport for New South Wales 28 October 2016New South Wales brings forward XPT replacement International Railway Journal 28 October 2016NSW fleet replacement accelerated Railway Gazette International 31 October 2016
In August 2017, the government announced it had decided to proceed with the replacement of all three fleets, as part of the Regional Rail Project.NSW regional train fleet to be replaced Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017 In November 2017 three consortia, led by Bombardier, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) and Downer, were shortlisted for the contract to build the trains. In May 2018, the Bombardier Consortium withdrew from the process.
A public–private partnership (PPP) contract was signed in February 2019 with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, DIF Infrastructure and Pacific Partnerships. The order comprised 117 bi-mode Civity carriages which will form a total of 29 trains: 10 long (6-car) trainsets for use on long-distance Regional services (replacing the XPT fleet) 9 short (3-car) short-distance Regional trainsets (replacing the Xplorer fleet) 10 short (3-car) Intercity sets (replacing some of the Endeavour fleet)
They have a maximum speed of , though they were described during the procurement process as “scalable” to . All trains will be maintained at the purpose-built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo.NSW Region train fleet on track Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
The first complete 6-car unit arrived at Port Kembla on 14 February 2024 and was taken by road to Dubbo.Regional Rail Transport for NSW On 30 September 2024, the set was transferred by rail from Mindyarra Maintenance Centre to Auburn Maintenance Centre in Auburn to prepare for mainline traction testing. In February 2025, the same set commenced mainline testing on the Northern Line between West Ryde and Epping, the Western Line between St Marys and Blacktown, and on the Richmond Line between Richmond and Riverstone."Jenper's Train Videos: NRF Testing" YouTube
By October 2025, the PPP contract had been dissolved by the NSW government, citing "negotiations to resolve commercial challenges, avoid further project delays and secure the best outcome for the people of NSW". Transport for NSW would work directly with the delivery partners, with CAF continuing as the train manufacturer, and UGL continuing to maintain the trains at Mindyarra.
The fleet is planned to enter service in 2028.
The new fleet has been criticised for its lack of sleeper carriages, which are available on the XPT.
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