Upgrading work between Morisset and Gosford affects weekday services on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line from Monday 8 to Friday 12 September and Monday 15 to Friday 19 September 2008.

Services on the weekend of 13-14 September will also be affected by trackwork. Please see information below for details.

How will this affect you?
Train and bus timetables
CityRail bus routes
Bus stop locations
Hunter Line customers
What happens on the weekend of 13-14 September?
Ticketing
Carry-on items
Wheelchair access
What work is being done?
What are the benefits?
Any other questions?

How does this affect you?
Upgrading work between Morisset and Gosford will affect weekday services on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line from Monday 8 to Friday 19 September 2008.

• Buses replace trains between Morisset and Gosford.
• Trains operate to an amended timetable between Newcastle and Morisset.
• Most trains operate to normal weekday timetable between and Gosford and Central.

During the morning peak, some direct train services will operate from Newcastle to Central, departing Newcastle at 4.15am, 4.46am, 5.08am, 5.27am, 5.57am, 6.09am, 6.30am and 8.08am. These services depart Newcastle up to 30 minutes earlier than normal.

During the afternoon peak, some direct train services will operate from Central to Newcastle, departing Central at 2.45pm, 3.15pm, 3.43pm, 4.12pm, 4.45pm, 5.15pm and 5.46pm. These services arrive at Newcastle up to 40 minutes later than normal.

Remember to plan ahead and check train and bus times before you travel.

CityRail bus routes

Bus stop locations
Bus stop locations are clearly marked at each station - just follow the yellow and black signs.

Hunter Line customers
Some Hunter Line trains will operate to an amended timetable. Please check at your local station for details.

If you are changing at Hamilton Station for Hunter Line services please refer to the Newcastle & Central Coast Line train and bus times when planning your journey.

You may need to catch an earlier service to ensure you make your train connection at Hamilton.

Hunter Line customers travelling to Sydney
A special express coach service will depart Maitland Station at 7.30am daily, operating direct to Gosford Station. Please change at Gosford for connecting train service to Sydney.

What's happening on the weekend of 13-14 September?
Trackwork is planned on the weekend of the upgrade with buses replacing trains on:

• Newcastle & Central Coast Line between Newcastle and Central
• Hunter Line between Scone and Newcastle, AND Dungog, Telarah and Newcastle
• Northern Line trains between Hornsby and Strathfield
• North Shore Line between Berowra and Wynyard

Click here for further information.

Ticketing
CityRail ticket offices are open at all stations on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line. Please continue to buy your CityRail ticket as normal - from your local station or ticket vending machine. Normal fares apply.

Remember you must carry a valid CityRail ticket for your journey on all CityRail trains and replacement bus services. Fines will apply to customers who cannot produce a valid ticket.

Carry-on items
Carrying bicycles, surfboards, luggage trolleys or large, bulky items on board CityRail buses is at the discretion of the driver, as space is limited. You may have to wait for an available service. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Wheelchair access
Alternative transport for wheelchair access is available by calling the following stations. Please note these services are limited, so your cooperation is appreciated. Please allow additional travelling time if you require this service.

Morisset Station - (02) 4349 9241
Wyong Station - (02) 4353 1915
Gosford Station - (02) 4349 9260

What work is being done?
RailCorp has been undertaking an extensive track reconstruction program on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line since 2003 to upgrade track on the rail corridor between Gosford and Broadmeadow. This work has occurred in various stages with more than 130km of the planned reconstruction completed to date. The total cost of the track reconstruction program between Gosford and Broadmeadow is approximately $178 million.

During this next stage, over 6.7km of track between Morisset and Gosford is being upgraded at a cost of $9.6 million. This work includes replacing timber sleepers with concrete sleepers, installing new rails, ballast cleaning, drainage installation, overhead wiring and track adjustments as well as general rail corridor clean-up and presentation.

This upgrading work on the Newcastle & Central Coast Line is being staged, and will continue in November/December 2008.

What are the benefits?
Track reconstruction works provide long-term benefits by improving the reliability of train services, particularly during the warmer months. Tracks have a tendency to expand in heat and trains are required to slow down to maintain safety. A more modern and concrete-sleepered track means trains can operate at normal operating speeds - even in higher temperatures.

Concrete sleepers also have a longer life span, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance, and new rails will provide a smoother ride with less bumps and knocks.

Any other questions?
If you have any further questions about alternative travel routes, please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500.

For our hearing and speech impaired customers, we offer a Teletypewriter service on 1800 637 500.

If you have any feedback about the works program, please call the 24 hour Greenline on 1300 656 999.

Thank you
CityRail thanks you for your patience and understanding during this upgrading work and apologises for any inconvenience.