The pinch point in the Western Sydney rail network. Four tracks merge into two tracks at St Marys up to Wallerawang past Lithgow.
The two tracks between Penrith and St Marys carry suburban trains, interurban trains, country trains and freight trains and is already at capacity. The Government wants to add 8 more services to this line. Without two additional lines as first proposed in 1955 it will be a tight squeeze to fit these extra services.
Lester Pasley
The Western line between Parramatta and Penrith was electrified in 1955. Four tracks were planned and Overhead for two additional tracks strung along between Blacktown and Penrith. The additional Overhead still remains between St Marys and Penrith.
The Western line between Parramatta and Penrith was electrified in 1955. Four tracks were planned and Overhead for two additional tracks strung along between Blacktown and Penrith. The additional Overhead still remains between St Marys and Penrith.Two additional tracks built between Westmead and Blacktown in 1955 with a passing loop at Rooty Hill.
Two additional tracks built between Granville and Parramatta, Parramatta and Westmead and Blacktown and St Marys and one additional track between Seven Hills and Blacktown in 1980.
Two tracks remain between St Marys and Penrith.
What is required for additional services?
Two additional tracks between St Marys and Penrith.
A third track (turn back) at Emu Plains for terminating trains. Terminated trains currently sit on the Main Line waiting to return to the City and while they sit on the Main Line they block any capacity for increased services to the Blue Mountains. The remnants of the siding to the Emu Plains Gravel Quarry remains at Emu Plains and can be refurbished for the turn back.
