| Scheduled date |
Event | Actual date |
| July 1998 | Preferred proponent announcement by Commonwealth government. | 4th August 1998 Prime Minister's speech Media release |
| December 1998 | Final market/revenue studies and final negotiation of finance. | |
| Agreement with heads of government. | Commonwealth - ? ACT - ? NSW - March 1999 |
|
| September 1999 | Presentation of Environment Impact Study | (Projected date now September 2000) |
| January 2000 | Construction and supply contracts | |
| March 2000 | Start of site construction work (Projected date now December 2000) |
|
| July 2000 | Start of civil engineering work | |
| April 2001 | Start of track laying | |
| June 2001 | Start of electrical installation | |
| July 2002 | Systems tests on test track between Canberra and Goulburn | |
| October 2002 | Delivery of first train | |
| December 2002 | Test track ready | |
| January 2003 | Commence testing between Canberra and Goulburn | |
| April 2003 | Track laying complete | |
| Running in and system proving | ||
| June 2003 | Integrated systems tests | |
| September 2003 | Approvals and certification | |
| October 2003 | Start of commercial operation (Projected date now September 2004) |
|
| 2005-2009 | Possible extension Canberra - Melbourne. |