The main western rail line through the Blue Mountains will be closed for repairs from today (Sunday morning 18 December 2022) for at least five days following a freight train derailment earlier this week.

Passengers from Dubbo will travel by train to and from Bathurst but from tomorrow (Monday 19 December) coaches will take passengers through to Sydney.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said maintenance crews are on site undertaking inspections along a 10-kilometre section of track to review the full extent of damage ahead of repair work.

“This line is a vital component of our supply chain and the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will work closely with industry as crews work hard to get it repaired and reopened,” Mr Farraway said.

“The track in both directions is impacted. It is expected more than 15,000 sleepers will need to be replaced, 120 broken rails fixed, and electrical work undertaken to restore signalling along the entire section of damaged track.

“The adjacent undamaged track will remain open to diesel trains until Sunday morning, which will keep goods and commodities moving while final repair plans are being established, and to allow freight operators time to find alternative paths.

“We will continue to provide regular updates to the rail freight industry and passengers on progress of the repairs.”

Further closures are expected over coming weeks to repair significant damage to track infrastructure that occurred during Wednesday’s derailment between Lawson and Linden.

Due to extensive damage to infrastructure on that section, electric intercity passenger trains cannot travel through there at all until further notice.

Buses will replace trains between Katoomba and Springwood with an intercity train operating hourly services between Sydney and Springwood in both directions. Trains will run every 2 hours between Lithgow to Katoomba in both directions.

Bathurst services will terminate at Lithgow with buses replacing trains in both directions to Blacktown. Hourly train services will run in both directions between Mount Victoria and Katoomba.

From Monday Dubbo XPT services will be replaced by road coaches in both directions between Sydney and Bathurst, customers will join rail services from Bathurst for the remainder of their journey to and from Dubbo.

Coach services from Dubbo through to Broken Hill in both directions are still in operation as the Broken Hill Xplorer is also not running at present due to flood damage to the track west of Parkes.

Where possible NSW TrainLink directly contacts customers on booked regional services to advise of changes.

Customers should plan ahead and check Transportnsw.info for the latest service details.