Full size train model set for Sydney
Sydney commuters can have their first glimpse of the metro trains that will connect Western Sydney International Airport to the city.
The state government has set up a full-scale prototype unveiled in a local warehouse to showcase the design and features of the carriages that will soon form the backbone of the new 23-kilometre metro line.
The prototype is intended to offer an opportunity for passengers, engineers, and designers to refine the trains before production begins.
Feedback on seat comfort, boarding processes, accessibility features, and safety will shape the final product, while authorities and manufacturers assess interior lighting, emergency functions, and real-time passenger information displays.
The train will feature custom upholstery, created by Western Sydney creative team BBR under the leadership of Dharug artist Leanne Redpath, with Tina Barahanos and Alexandra Byrne. Approximately 2,300 square metres of fabric will be used to upholster the seats for the 12 new trains.
The metro will connect St Marys in the north to Bradfield in the south, including a stop at the airport itself.
Set to begin service next year, the line is designed to handle 7,740 passengers per hour in both directions.
The trains feature forward- and rear-facing seating, wide aisles to accommodate luggage, and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and bicycles.
Hearing loops will enhance accessibility for passengers with hearing impairments.
Construction of the metro line began in 2020, and major works are nearing completion.