XPT

Return of the Candy XPT

A retro livery revival in time for the reinstatement of the Grafton XPT

Lineside Lens
Lineside Lens
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Distinctive red and white striped XPT power car leads six silver and black carriages around a slight curve
XP 2009 leads XP 2006 along with six carriages in SRA "Candy" livery past West Ryde on return from Grafton

On the 28th of April, the Grafton XPT resumed service after a year of coach replacements that were brought in to facilitate the ongoing refurbishment program. In celebration, two power cars along with six carriages have been repainted into the very distinctive State Rail Authority "Candy" livery. The two power cars were XP 2009, the "City of Sydney" and XP 2006 "City of Grafton".

Apart from the Dubbo XPT, which is captive and runs without sleepers, every other set (including this candy-liveried one) is on a rotation that will see it visit the capitals of Melbourne and Brisbane, along with other regional centres such as Casino and Grafton, effectively "touring" the state as part of its regular timetable.

I was able to spot this train passing West Ryde returning back toward Central from Grafton, having completed the trip down the previous day.

Just before the Candy XPT passed through West Ryde, the down Brisbane service rolled through about two minutes behind schedule, led by XP 2005 and trailed by XP 2008 seen below:

Blue and yellow XPT power car at the end of a consist of steel carriages going around a curve
XP 2008 brings up the rear

Then the star of the show, XP 2009 and XP 2006 along with a rake of six carriages not long after:

Red and white candy-liveried XPT power car leads steel carriages with leafy trees in the background
XP 2009 leads through West Ryde

Later, at Central the candy consist dwelled on the platform for about thirty minutes where I was able to capture some shots in the quickly fading light.

Side-view of candy liveried XPT power car 2006 named "City of Grafton" near the cab and with "XPT InterCity" on the side
XP 2006 sits at (Central) Sydney Terminal beside a Mariyung
Front-on view of candy liveried XP 2009 at the rear of the train
XP 2009 trails, leaving Central empty for Meeks Road

Also interestingly, a while ago (18th Dec 2025) on my return from attempting to spot R set testing at Narara I got a shot of XP 2009 at Hornsby before its Candy makeover:

Dim front-on photo of XP 2009 in its original yellow and blue livery, with the light falling on the front of the train
Pre-Candy XP 2009 approaches Hornsby, Dec 2025

As mentioned, this particular set is part of the same rotation as the other XPTs so gunzels around the state (with the exception of Dubbo) will get the opportunity to spot this unique livery.

Sources

NSW Government: Media Releases (22nd April 2025, 13th April 2026)

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