Why doesn't Australia have any trains that can go faster than 160 km/h?

11/14/2021 10:48:49 AM

190 km/h is academic for the XPT.It’s original Paxman Valenta engines were downrated from the British HST that the XPT is based on, with the real power car providing even less power as it generated electricity for the passenger cars. All up and XPT consist has about 70-75% of the power of the HST. The diesel Tilt Train is a higher performer than the XPT, it has a high power to weight ratio as do many of Australias modern DMUs,but the electric tilt train & modern EMU sets are all faster. If the Melbourne- Sydney line was electrified, any of the modern EMUs would be faster than the XPT in total time.

12/6/2015 11:12:11 PM

Both the XPT and the Tilt Train can go faster than 160 km/h, and have done so for short distances in trial runs. Full list here.

However, in operation both are capped at a maximum of 160 km/h, and typically average out much slower (the Sydney-Melbourne XPT barely beats 80 km/h for the trip).

As for why specifically 160 km/h, it’s a typical cut off worldwide for “higher speed trains“. Exceeding that is generally considered to require high-stability concrete ties for tracks (Australia still mostly uses wood) and no level crossings (rural Australia has hundreds).

12/6/2015 5:56:12 AM

Does Australia have any trains that can go faster than 160 km/h?

Yes. The top speed of the Melbourne-Sydney XPT is 190km/h. The Queensland tilt train can do 210km/h.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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