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The first High Capacity Metro Trains have been given an airing in darkness at Dandenong railway station.
Still to pass its key safety tests, the sharply-angular trains were hauled using five diesel locomotives and 27 freight wagons from a Newport factory to a depot in Pakenham East on Thursday 29 November.
“The new train will now be put through mechanical and safety testing by local workers, ahead of it going into passenger service from mid-2019,” a Transport for Victoria spokesperson said.
Initial testing will be at the Pakenham East depot. It will include stationary tests of key train systems and dynamic tests on the purpose built test track.
On-track testing is expected in coming months, with the first seven-car train services on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines rolling out in mid 2019.
In the longer term, the 65 High Capacity Metro Trains are planned to run to Sunbury via the Metro Tunnel in 2025.
In preparation for the HCMT, the Dandenong rail corridor will be closed for major works between Westall-Cranbourne and Westall-Pakenham on 1-23 December.
Details: metrotrains.com.au/planned-work
