Southwest Metro reaches major testing milestone
09.02.2026
A second train has joined the testing fleet on the Southwest Metro line, as the rigorous testing and commissioning program ramps up, bringing southwest Sydney closer to transformative metro services starting to Bankstown later this year.
The additional train will operate alongside the original test train, which is currently running under “loaded” conditions to confirm performance at full passenger capacity.
Carrying 106 containers filled with 115,500 litres of water – equivalent in weight to 1,540 passengers - the train has successfully completed more than 500 kilometres of critical performance and safety testing between Sydenham and Bankstown.
Since higher-speed testing began on 10 November 2025, more than 1,200 of the required 9,000 hours have been completed at speeds of up to 100 km/h, along with around 13,000 kilometres of the required 30,000 kilometres of testing.
Work to upgrade 10 stations across Sydney’s southwest is also reaching its final stage, with 80% of overall construction as part of the Southwest Metro Conversion and Station Works now finished.
At stations, teams are focused on the installation of signage and the tiling of platforms. Testing and commissioning of the platform screen doors and mechanical gap fillers is ongoing and landscaping and streetscape work has commenced.
As previously announced, further work remains to integrate the operational M1 Line with the new Southwest Metro line. To complete this part of the conversion, a series of full and partial closures of the M1 Line will be required in the lead-up to opening.
While disruptive, these closures are essential to allow critical work to be carried out safely.
February and March service changes:
- Night works from 9.50pm – No metro services will run between Central and Sydenham:
- Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 February
- Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 February
- Full line closures - Replacement buses will run between Tallawong and Chatswood, with Sydney Trains services between Chatswood and Sydenham:
- Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 February
- Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 March
- Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 March
- Partial line closure on Saturday 28 March to Sunday 29 March. No metro services will run between Macquarie Park and Victoria Cross while Sydney Trains completes trackwork at Chatswood. Passengers are advised to use replacement buses as trackwork will also affect T1 North Shore Line trains.
Customers planning metro travel, particularly on weekends, are encouraged to plan ahead by visiting https://transportnsw.info/