In 1981, the Institution of Engineers suggested that a network of fast trains connecting Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide would be a worthy Bicentennial project. The electric XPT, now proposed to operate at 200km/h, was suggested as one option.
This is a proposed northern region schedule which was to have taken effect
from 14/2/90. It went as far as altering all the connecting road coach
services. It was entered into State Rail booking computers, but was
withdrawn before the new schedule was made public. Note that no up trains
stopped at Gosford plus NT17 and NT18 didn't stop at Strathfield, which is
most unusual.
NT5 NT17 SYDNEY 7.15 16.55 Strathfield 7.26 - Horsnby 7.46 17.26 Gosford 8.26 - Broadmeadow 9.22 18.58 Maitland 9.42 19.18 Dungog 10.25 - Gloucester 11.18 - Wingham 12.07 - Taree 12.21 21.51 Wauchope 13.22 22.51 Kempsey 13.59 23.28 Macksville 14.38 - Coffs Harbour 15.20 0.45 Grafton City 16.30 1.55 Casino 17.56 3.21 Lismore 18.25 Byron Bay 19.10 Mullumbimby 19.25 MURWILLUMBAH 20.15 Kyogle 3.47 Bromelton 5.08 BRISBANE 6.05 NT6 NT18 BRISBANE 7.40 Bromelton 8.28 Kyogle 9.48 MURWILLUMBAH 21.10 Mullumbimby 21.45 Byron Bay 21.59 Lismore 22.46 Casino 10.14 23.18 Grafton City 11.35 0.43 Coffs Harbour 12.48 2.01 Macksville 13.32 - Kempsey 14.28 3.21 Wauchope 15.05 3.58 Taree 16.08 5.06 Wingham 16.21 - Gloucester 17.10 - Dungog 18.03 - Maitland 18.44 7.41 Broadmeadow 19.03 8.06 Gosford - - Hornsby 20.39 9.38 Strathfield 20.59 - SYDNEY 21.15 10.10