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{{Short description|Rail service in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{about|the [[NSW TrainLink]] service|the physical railway line|Main Southern railway line}}
{{about|the [[NSW TrainLink]] service|the physical railway line|Main Southern railway line}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox rail service
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width =
| box_width =
| logo = [[File:Southern Highlands Line Logo.png|300px]]
|color=039747| logo = TfNSW SHL.svg
| image = Moss Vale Station.jpg
| logo_width = 60
| image = Mittagong railway station, 2018-09-13.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcar]] at {{rwsa|Moss Vale}} in December 2008
| caption = An [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcar]] at {{rwsa|Mittagong}}
| type = [[Inter-city rail|Intercity rail]]
| type = [[Inter-city rail|Intercity rail]]
| locale = [[Macarthur (New South Wales)|Macarthur]], [[Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|Southern Highlands]] and [[Southern Tablelands]], [[New South Wales]]
| locale = [[Macarthur (New South Wales)|Macarthur]], [[Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|Southern Highlands]] and [[Southern Tablelands]], [[New South Wales]]
Line 16: Line 17:
| start = {{rwsa|Campbelltown}}, {{rwsa|Central|s}}
| start = {{rwsa|Campbelltown}}, {{rwsa|Central|s}}
| stops = 22
| stops = 22
| end = {{rwsa|Goulburn}}
| end = {{rwsa|Moss Vale}}, {{rwsa|Goulburn}}
| distance = {{convert|224|km|abbr=on}}
| distance = {{convert|215|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime =
| journeytime =
| frequency =
| frequency =
Line 32: Line 33:
| baggage =
| baggage =
| otherfacilities =
| otherfacilities =
| stock = [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcar]], [[Sydney Trains R Set|R Set]]
| stock = [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcar]]
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| el =
| el =
| speed =
| speed =
| owners = [[RailCorp]]
| owners = [[Sydney Trains]], [[Australian Rail Track Corporation|ARTC]]
| routenumber =
| routenumber =
| map_name = [[NSW TrainLink]] intercity services
| map = {{TFNSW nav|TL}}
| map = {{TFNSW nav|TL}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
}}
{{SHL Southern Highlands Line}}


The '''Southern Highlands Line''' is an [[Inter-city rail|Intercity rail]] service operated by [[NSW TrainLink]] that services the [[Macarthur, New South Wales|Macarthur]], [[Southern Highlands, New South Wales|Southern Highlands]] and [[Southern Tablelands]] regions of [[New South Wales]]. First operating in 1869, the service runs from {{rwsa|Campbelltown}} across the [[Main Southern railway line, New South Wales|Main Southern railway line]] through to {{rwsa|Goulburn}}, with peak hour services extending the route to {{rwsa|Central|s}}. The railway service operates alongside a [[State Transit Authority]] bus route from {{rwsa|Picton}} to {{rwsa|Bowral}}, operating on the corridor of the [[Picton – Mittagong loop railway line]], and a regional [[intercity bus service|coach service]] from {{rwsa|Bundanoon}} to {{rwsa|Wollongong}} on the [[South Coast Line]], operating on the corridor of the [[Unanderra - Moss Vale railway line]].
The '''Southern Highlands Line''' (SHL) is an [[Inter-city rail|intercity rail]] service operated by [[NSW TrainLink]] that services the [[Macarthur, New South Wales|Macarthur]], [[Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|Southern Highlands]] and [[Southern Tablelands]] regions of [[New South Wales]]. First operating in 1869, the service runs from {{rwsa|Campbelltown}} across the [[Main Southern railway line, New South Wales|Main Southern railway line]] through to {{rwsa|Goulburn}}, with peak hour services extending the route to {{rwsa|Central|s}}. The railway service operates alongside a bus route from {{rwsa|Picton}} to {{rwsa|Bowral}}, operating on the route of the [[Picton – Mittagong loop railway line]], and a regional [[intercity bus service|coach service]] from {{rwsa|Bundanoon}} to {{rwsa|Wollongong}} on the [[South Coast Line]], operating on the corridor of the [[Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line]].


One of only two routes on the NSW TrainLink intercity network to run entirely on non-electrified railway lines, the Southern Highlands Line is operated with a rolling stock solely consisting of [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcars]], with most services only using two cars. The service spans 169 kilometers of railway, making it the most extensive route on the NSW TrainLink network apart from the [[Blue Mountains Line]]'s ''[[Bathurst Bullet]]'' service. The route also spans 22 stations, making it also the route with the least amount of stops. An additional 2 stations and 55 kilometers of railway are traveled by Southern Highlands trains at peak hours.
One of only two routes on the NSW TrainLink intercity network to run entirely on non-electrified railway lines, the Southern Highlands Line is operated with a rolling stock solely consisting of [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcars]], with most services only using two cars. The service spans {{Convert|169|km}} of railway, making it the most extensive route on the NSW TrainLink network apart from the [[Blue Mountains Line]]'s ''[[Bathurst Bullet]]'' service. Despite that, the route spans only 22 stations, making it also the route with the lowest number of stops. An additional 2 stations and {{Convert|55|km}} of railway are traversed by Southern Highlands trains at peak hours.


==History==
==History==
The [[Main Southern railway line|Main South line]] opened in stages to [[Picton railway station|Picton]] in 1863, [[Moss Vale railway station|Moss Vale]] in 1867 and [[Goulburn railway station|Goulburn]] in 1869.<ref>[http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_south Main South Line] NSWrail.net</ref>
The [[Main Southern railway line|Main South line]] opened in stages to [[Picton railway station|Picton]] in 1863, [[Moss Vale railway station|Moss Vale]] in 1867 and [[Goulburn railway station|Goulburn]] in 1869.<ref>[http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_south Main South Line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418161152/http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_south |date=18 April 2013 }} NSWrail.net</ref>


In 1919, a new section of line opened between Picton and [[Mittagong railway station|Mittagong]], with the original section becoming the [[Picton - Mittagong loop railway line|Picton-Mittagong loop line]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bayley|first=William A|title=Picton-Mittagong Loop Line Railway|year=197x|publisher=Austrail Publications|location=Bulli|isbn=0-909597-14-6}}</ref> Originally a single track line, it was later doubled with the exception of the Picton-Mittagong loop line.
In 1919, a new section of line opened between Picton and [[Mittagong railway station|Mittagong]], with the original section becoming the Picton-Mittagong loop line.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bayley|first=William A|title=Picton-Mittagong Loop Line Railway|year=197x|publisher=Austrail Publications|location=Bulli|isbn=0-909597-14-6}}</ref> Originally a single track line, it was later doubled with the exception of the Picton-Mittagong loop line.


==Services==
==Services==
[[File:SHL line diagram.svg|thumb|left|300px|Route diagram of SHL]]
Most services operate between [[Campbelltown railway station|Campbelltown]] and [[Moss Vale railway station|Moss Vale]] with a limited number extending to [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney Central]] and [[Goulburn railway station|Goulburn]].<ref name=Timetable>{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Southern Highlands}}</ref> All services are operated by [[NSW TrainLink]] using [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcars]].
Most services operate between [[Campbelltown railway station|Campbelltown]] and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney Central]] and [[Goulburn railway station|Goulburn]].<ref name=Timetable>{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Southern Highlands}}</ref> All services are operated by NSW TrainLink using [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcars]].


Rail replacement bus services operate between [[Picton railway station|Picton]] and [[Bowral railway station|Bowral]] paralleling the [[Picton - Mittagong loop railway line|Picton-Mittagong loop line]] and [[Bundanoon railway station|Bundanoon]] and [[Wollongong railway station|Wollongong]] paralleling the [[Unanderra - Moss Vale railway line|Moss Vale-Unanderra line]]. A daytime bus service also operates between Moss Vale and Goulburn.<ref name=Timetable/> Some stations are also served by [[NSW TrainLink]] [[New South Wales XPT|XPT]] and [[New South Wales Xplorer|Xplorer]] services from Sydney to [[Canberra railway station|Canberra]], [[Griffith railway station|Griffith]] and [[Southern Cross railway station|Melbourne]].<ref>{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Southern Region}}</ref>
Rail replacement bus services operate between Picton and [[Bowral railway station|Bowral]] paralleling the Picton-Mittagong loop line and [[Bundanoon railway station|Bundanoon]] and [[Wollongong railway station|Wollongong]] paralleling the [[Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line|Moss Vale-Unanderra line]]. A daytime bus service also operates between Moss Vale and Goulburn.<ref name=Timetable/> Some stations are also served by NSW TrainLink [[New South Wales XPT|XPT]] and [[New South Wales Xplorer|Xplorer]] services from Sydney to [[Canberra railway station|Canberra]], [[Griffith railway station|Griffith]] and [[Southern Cross railway station|Melbourne]].<ref>{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Southern Region}}</ref>


Up until the mid-1990s, most services on the line operated through to Sydney Central. Named trains that operated on the line included the ''Goulburn Day Train'' and ''[[Southern Highlands Express]]''. In the late 1980s, air-conditioned [[New South Wales HUB type carriage stock|HUB]]/[[New South Wales RUB type carriage stock|RUB]] carriages were introduced. These would later be joined by [[New South Wales 1100 class railcar|Budd]] and [[New South Wales 1200 class railcar|Tulloch]] carriages and [[New South Wales 900/800 class railcar|DEB railcars]].<ref>"Southern Passengers" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' January 1989 page 21</ref>
Up until the mid-1990s, most services on the line operated through to Sydney Central. Named trains that operated on the line included the ''Goulburn Day Train'' and ''[[Southern Highlands Express]]''. In the late 1980s, air-conditioned [[New South Wales HUB type carriage stock|HUB]]/[[New South Wales RUB type carriage stock|RUB]] carriages were introduced. These would later be joined by [[New South Wales 1100 class railcar|Budd]] and [[New South Wales 1200 class railcar|Tulloch]] carriages and [[New South Wales 900/800 class railcar|DEB railcars]].<ref>"Southern Passengers" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' January 1989 page 21</ref>


In 1994, all were replaced by [[New South Wales Endeavour railcar|Endeavour railcars]].<ref>"New Timetable Sees Demise of Loco-Hauled Services" ''Railway Digest'' July 1994</ref> Most services were altered to operate only as far north as [[Campbelltown railway station|Campbelltown]] connecting with [[Sydney Trains]] electric services to Sydney.
In 1994, all were replaced by Endeavour railcars.<ref>"New Timetable Sees Demise of Loco-Hauled Services" ''Railway Digest'' July 1994</ref> Most services were altered to operate only as far north as Campbelltown connecting with [[Sydney Trains]] electric services to Sydney.


As of 2014-15, the Southern Highlands Line experiences significantly worse peak hour on-time running performance than other suburban and intercity lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/latest-reports/financial/volume-six-2015-transport/service-delivery/5-service-delivery|publisher=Audit Office of New South Wales|accessdate=26 November 2015}}</ref>
As of 2014–15, the Southern Highlands Line experiences significantly worse peak hour on-time running performance than other suburban and intercity lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/latest-reports/financial/volume-six-2015-transport/service-delivery/5-service-delivery|title=Service Delivery|publisher=Audit Office of New South Wales|access-date=26 November 2015|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125230228/http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/latest-reports/financial/volume-six-2015-transport/service-delivery/5-service-delivery|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Stations===
===Stations===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+Southern Highlands Line stations
! Name
! Name
! Railway line
! Code<br /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bozier|first1=Rolfe|title=New South Wales Railways: NSW Station Codes|url=http://www.aussiedial.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020613171622/www.triode.net.au/~rolfeb/nsw/codes.php3|archivedate=13 June 2002|accessdate=23 May 2015}}</ref>
! Serving suburbs/towns
! Distance from<br />{{rwsa|Central|s}}
! Railway
! Notes
! Suburbs serviced
! Connecting Services
|-

! colspan="7" style=background:#{{NSW TrainLink color|Southern Highlands}}|<span style="color:white;">Central - Campbelltown (Peak hour services)</span>
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Central|s}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Central|s}}'''
| SYD
| {{color|grey|0.0&nbsp;km}}
| [[Main Suburban railway line|Main Suburban]]
| [[Main Suburban railway line|Main Suburban]]
| Sydney, Strawberry Hills,<br />Ultimo, Surry Hills
| Haymarket, Chippendale, Ultimo, Surry Hills
| [[Transport hub]] for Sydney Trains, other Intercity trains, <br>Regional trains, buses and light rail
| {{Collapsible list|title=Services|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;background:transparent;text-align:center|<center>{{Airport, Inner West & South line}}<br />{{Bankstown line}}<br />{{Eastern suburbs & Illawarra line}}<br />{{Newcastle & central coast line}}<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|North Coast Region]]<br />{{North Shore, Northern & Western line}}<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|North West Region]]<br />{{South coast line}}<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Western Region]]</center>}}
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Glenfield|s}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Glenfield|s}}'''
| rowspan="21"|[[Main Southern railway line|Main South]]
| GFD
| 41.9&nbsp;km
| [[Main Southern railway line|Main South]]
| Glenfield
| Glenfield
| Interchange with Sydney Trains
| {{Airport, Inner West & South line}}<br />{{Cumberland line}}<br />{{South West Rail Link}}
|-

! colspan="7" style=background:#{{NSW TrainLink color|Southern Highlands}}|<span style="color:white;">Campbelltown - Goulburn</span>
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Campbelltown}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Campbelltown}}'''
| CAM
| 54.7&nbsp;km
| rowspan="20"| Main South
| Campbelltown
| Campbelltown
|Starting point of most services<br>Interchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trains
| {{Airport, Inner West & South line}}<br />{{Cumberland line}}<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Macarthur}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Macarthur}}'''
| MCU
| 56.5&nbsp;km
| Ambarvale, Blair Athol, Glen Alpine
| Ambarvale, Blair Athol, Glen Alpine
| Interchange with Sydney Trains
| {{Airport, Inner West & South line}}
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Menangle Park}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Menangle Park}}'''
| MEK
| 62.8&nbsp;km
| Menangle Park, Gilead
| Menangle Park, Gilead
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Menangle}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Menangle}}'''
| MGE
| 65.3&nbsp;km
| Menangle
| Menangle
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Douglas Park}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Douglas Park}}'''
| DPK
| 73.3&nbsp;km
| Douglas Park, Wilton
| Douglas Park, Wilton
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Picton}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Picton}}'''
| PIC
| 85.2&nbsp;km
| Picton, Maldon
| Picton, Maldon
| [[Picton - Mittagong loop railway line|Picton-Bowral loop line]] bus
| Interchange with [[Picton–Mittagong loop railway line|Picton–Bowral loop line]] bus
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Tahmoor}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Tahmoor}}'''
| TAH
| 94.4&nbsp;km
| Tahmoor, Couridjah, Buxton, Thirlmere
| Tahmoor, Couridjah, Buxton, Thirlmere
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Bargo}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Bargo}}'''
| BZG
| 102.8&nbsp;km
| Bargo, Yanderra and Pheasants Nest
| Bargo, Yanderra and Pheasants Nest
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Yerrinbool}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Yerrinbool}}'''
| YEB
| 116.3&nbsp;km
| Yerrinbool, Colo Vale, Hill Top, Alpine
| Yerrinbool, Colo Vale, Hill Top, Alpine
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Mittagong}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Mittagong}}'''
| Mittagong, Braemar, Balaclava,<br />Willow Vale, Welby, Aylmerton, Renwick
| MIT
| Interchange with Regional trains and [[Picton–Mittagong loop railway line|Picton–Mittagong loop line]] bus
| 131.5&nbsp;km
| Mittagong, Braemar, Balaclava,<br />Willow Vale, Welby, Aylmerton
| [[Picton - Mittagong loop railway line|Picton-Mittagong loop line]] bus<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Bowral}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Bowral}}'''
| BWL
| 136.3&nbsp;km
| Bowral, Berrima, East Bowral
| Bowral, Berrima, East Bowral
| [[Picton - Mittagong loop railway line|Picton-Mittagong loop line]] bus<br />{{rint|sydney|coach}} [[NSW TrainLink|Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach]]<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
| Interchange with Regional trains, [[Picton–Mittagong loop railway line|Picton–Mittagong loop line]] bus and Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Burradoo}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Burradoo}}'''
| BUO
| 138.8&nbsp;km
| Burradoo
| Burradoo
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Moss Vale}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Moss Vale}}'''
| MSV
| 145.7&nbsp;km
| Moss Vale, Bong Bong, Robertson,<br />Sutton Forest, Burrawang
| Moss Vale, Bong Bong, Robertson,<br />Sutton Forest, Burrawang
| Terminus of most services<br>Interchange with Regional trains and Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach
| {{rint|sydney|coach}} [[NSW TrainLink|Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach]]<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Exeter|N}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Exeter|N}}'''
| EXT
| 155.8&nbsp;km
| Exeter
| Exeter
| {{rint|sydney|coach}} [[NSW TrainLink|Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach]]
| Also served by Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Bundanoon}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Bundanoon}}'''
| BUN
| 162.2&nbsp;km
| Bundanoon
| Bundanoon
| Also served by Regional trains and Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
| {{rint|sydney|coach}} [[NSW TrainLink|Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach]]<br />{{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Penrose}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Penrose|NSW}}'''
| PRS
| 171.4&nbsp;km
| Penrose
| Penrose
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Wingello}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Wingello}}'''
| WNE
| 177.1&nbsp;km
| Wingello
| Wingello
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Tallong}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Tallong}}'''
| TJG
| 185.3&nbsp;km
| Tallong
| Tallong
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Marulan}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Marulan}}'''
| MRX
| 192.9&nbsp;km
| Marulan
| Marulan
|
|
|-
|-
| '''{{rwsa|Goulburn}}'''
| '''{{rwsa|Goulburn}}'''
| GUL
| 224.0&nbsp;km
| Goulburn
| Goulburn
| Also served by Regional trains
| {{rint|sydney|regional}} [[NSW TrainLink|Southern Region]]
|}
|}
<center>{{reflist|group="ab"}}</center>


==Patronage==
===Stopping patterns===
{{NSW TrainLink Intercity patronage by line|SH=y}}
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
;Towards Goulburn
*'''Campbelltown''': all stations to '''Moss Vale'''.
*'''Campbelltown''': {{color|orangered|(Afternoon peak hour service)}} all stations to '''Goulburn'''.
*'''Central''': {{color|orangered|(Afternoon peak hour service)}} Glenfield, Campbelltown, then all stations to '''Goulburn'''.
*'''Central''': {{color|orangered|(Afternoon peak hour service)}} {{color|green|(Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays only)}} Glenfield, Campbelltown, then all stations to '''Moss Vale'''.
*'''Moss Vale''': all stations to '''Goulburn'''.
{{col-2}}
;Towards Campbelltown
*'''Goulburn''': all stations to Moss Vale, then Bowral, Mittagong, Tahmoor, Picton, Macarthur and '''Campbelltown'''.
*'''Goulburn''': {{color|dodgerblue|(Morning peak hour service)}} all stations to Moss Vale, then Bowral, Mittagong, Tahmoor, Picton, Macarthur, Campbelltown, Glenfield and '''Central'''.
*'''Goulburn''': {{color|dodgerblue|(Morning peak hour service)}} {{color|green|(Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays only)}} all stations to Campbelltown, then Glenfield, '''Central'''.
*'''Moss Vale''': all stations to '''Campbelltown'''.
*'''Moss Vale''': {{color|dodgerblue|(Morning peak hour service)}} {{color|green|(Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays only)}} all stations to Campbelltown, then Glenfield, '''Central'''.
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==
Line 240: Line 173:
*"Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Mittagong", Singleton, C.C. ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' March 1967
*"Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Mittagong", Singleton, C.C. ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' March 1967
*"Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Goulburn", Singleton, C.C. ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' May 1969
*"Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Goulburn", Singleton, C.C. ''Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin'' May 1969
*''Southern Highlands Express'' Peter Attenborough, Eveleigh Press 2011 ISBN 978 1 87 656854 2
*''Southern Highlands Express'' Peter Attenborough, Eveleigh Press 2011 {{ISBN|978 1 87 656854 2}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://transportnsw.info/regional Regional Transport Information] Transport for NSW
*NSW TrainLink [http://www.nswtrainlink.info/ official website]


{{Regional NSW public transport}}
{{Regional NSW public transport}}

Latest revision as of 01:46, 16 August 2024

This article is about the NSW TrainLink service. For the physical railway line, see Main Southern railway line.

Southern Highlands Line
An Endeavour railcar at Mittagong
Overview
Service typeIntercity rail
LocaleMacarthur, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands, New South Wales
First service19 May 1869 (1869-05-19)
Current operator(s)NSW TrainLink
Route
TerminiCampbelltown, Central
Moss Vale, Goulburn
Stops22
Distance travelled215 km (134 mi)
Line(s) usedMain South
Technical
Rolling stockEndeavour railcar
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Track owner(s)Sydney Trains, ARTC
Route map
Map
SHL Southern Highlands Line

Routemap design based on official
Transport for NSW branding
km from
Central

to the City Circle
00.0
 Central
for services and stations between
Central and Glenfield see:
Sydney Trains
41.9
 Glenfield
45.7
 Ingleburn
49.7
 Minto
52.6
 Leumeah
54.7
 Campbelltown
56.6
 Macarthur
Limit of
electrification
62.9
 Menangle Park
65.3
 Menangle
73.3
 Douglas Park
82.3
 Picton
94.5
 Tahmoor
102.9
 Bargo
116.3
 Yerrinbool
131.6
 Mittagong
136.3
 Bowral
138.8
 Burradoo
145.7
 Moss Vale
155.9
 Exeter
162.3
 Bundanoon
171.4
 Penrose
177.1
 Wingello
185.4
 Tallong
192.9
 Marulan
224.9
 Goulburn
to Canberra, Griffith or Melbourne
Legend
 Station
Interchange station
 Airport & South Line
 NSW TrainLink Southern Region

Not all rail services shown

For closed stations, wheelchair access
and other features see:

Template:Main Southern railway line, New South Wales
 
This diagram:

The Southern Highlands Line (SHL) is an intercity rail service operated by NSW TrainLink that services the Macarthur, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions of New South Wales. First operating in 1869, the service runs from Campbelltown across the Main Southern railway line through to Goulburn, with peak hour services extending the route to Central. The railway service operates alongside a bus route from Picton to Bowral, operating on the route of the Picton – Mittagong loop railway line, and a regional coach service from Bundanoon to Wollongong on the South Coast Line, operating on the corridor of the Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line.

One of only two routes on the NSW TrainLink intercity network to run entirely on non-electrified railway lines, the Southern Highlands Line is operated with a rolling stock solely consisting of Endeavour railcars, with most services only using two cars. The service spans 169 kilometres (105 mi) of railway, making it the most extensive route on the NSW TrainLink network apart from the Blue Mountains Line's Bathurst Bullet service. Despite that, the route spans only 22 stations, making it also the route with the lowest number of stops. An additional 2 stations and 55 kilometres (34 mi) of railway are traversed by Southern Highlands trains at peak hours.

History

[edit]

The Main South line opened in stages to Picton in 1863, Moss Vale in 1867 and Goulburn in 1869.[1]

In 1919, a new section of line opened between Picton and Mittagong, with the original section becoming the Picton-Mittagong loop line.[2] Originally a single track line, it was later doubled with the exception of the Picton-Mittagong loop line.

Services

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Route diagram of SHL

Most services operate between Campbelltown and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to Sydney Central and Goulburn.[3] All services are operated by NSW TrainLink using Endeavour railcars.

Rail replacement bus services operate between Picton and Bowral paralleling the Picton-Mittagong loop line and Bundanoon and Wollongong paralleling the Moss Vale-Unanderra line. A daytime bus service also operates between Moss Vale and Goulburn.[3] Some stations are also served by NSW TrainLink XPT and Xplorer services from Sydney to Canberra, Griffith and Melbourne.[4]

Up until the mid-1990s, most services on the line operated through to Sydney Central. Named trains that operated on the line included the Goulburn Day Train and Southern Highlands Express. In the late 1980s, air-conditioned HUB/RUB carriages were introduced. These would later be joined by Budd and Tulloch carriages and DEB railcars.[5]

In 1994, all were replaced by Endeavour railcars.[6] Most services were altered to operate only as far north as Campbelltown connecting with Sydney Trains electric services to Sydney.

As of 2014–15, the Southern Highlands Line experiences significantly worse peak hour on-time running performance than other suburban and intercity lines.[7]

Stations

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Southern Highlands Line stations
Name Railway line Serving suburbs/towns Notes
Central Main Suburban Haymarket, Chippendale, Ultimo, Surry Hills Transport hub for Sydney Trains, other Intercity trains,
Regional trains, buses and light rail
Glenfield Main South Glenfield Interchange with Sydney Trains
Campbelltown Campbelltown Starting point of most services
Interchange with Sydney Trains and Regional trains
Macarthur Ambarvale, Blair Athol, Glen Alpine Interchange with Sydney Trains
Menangle Park Menangle Park, Gilead
Menangle Menangle
Douglas Park Douglas Park, Wilton
Picton Picton, Maldon Interchange with Picton–Bowral loop line bus
Tahmoor Tahmoor, Couridjah, Buxton, Thirlmere
Bargo Bargo, Yanderra and Pheasants Nest
Yerrinbool Yerrinbool, Colo Vale, Hill Top, Alpine
Mittagong Mittagong, Braemar, Balaclava,
Willow Vale, Welby, Aylmerton, Renwick 		Interchange with Regional trains and Picton–Mittagong loop line bus
Bowral Bowral, Berrima, East Bowral Interchange with Regional trains, Picton–Mittagong loop line bus and Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
Burradoo Burradoo
Moss Vale Moss Vale, Bong Bong, Robertson,
Sutton Forest, Burrawang 		Terminus of most services
Interchange with Regional trains and Bundanoon - Wollongong Coach
Exeter Exeter Also served by Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
Bundanoon Bundanoon Also served by Regional trains and Bundanoon – Wollongong Coach
Penrose Penrose
Wingello Wingello
Tallong Tallong
Marulan Marulan
Goulburn Goulburn Also served by Regional trains

Patronage

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The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2022, based on Opal tap on and tap off data.[8]

2021–22 NSW TrainLink Intercity patronage by line
3 179 000
6 015 000
418 000
3 013 000
334 000


References

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  1. ^ Main South Line Archived 18 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine NSWrail.net
  2. ^ Bayley, William A (197x). Picton-Mittagong Loop Line Railway. Bulli: Austrail Publications. ISBN 0-909597-14-6.
  3. ^ a b "Southern Highlands line timetable". Transport for NSW.
  4. ^ "Southern timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Southern Passengers" Railway Digest January 1989 page 21
  6. ^ "New Timetable Sees Demise of Loco-Hauled Services" Railway Digest July 1994
  7. ^ "Service Delivery". Audit Office of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 20 August 2022.

Further reading

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  • "Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Picton", Singleton, C.C. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin July 1963
  • "Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Mittagong", Singleton, C.C. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin March 1967
  • "Centenary of the Opening of the Southern Line to Goulburn", Singleton, C.C. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin May 1969
  • Southern Highlands Express Peter Attenborough, Eveleigh Press 2011 ISBN 978 1 87 656854 2
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