The Southern Tablelands Rail Action Group (STRUG) was one of four lobby organisations invited to the presentation with representatives of CAF, NSW Trainlink and Transport for NSW representatives in December. CAF is part of an international consortium, Momentum Trains, contracted by the state government to design, build and maintain the new regional train fleet.

The $2.8 billion project will replace the ageing XPTs, XPLORERs and Endeavours with 29 new trains. They comprise 10 regional intercity, nine short regional and 10 long regional trains, or a total 117 carriages.

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STRUG president Greg Price said he and other groups, like the Border Rail, Sydney to Canberra and Orange Rail Action Groups, had earlier had their request for a visual inspection of a mock-up carriage rejected. That carriage was brought to EDI's Kelso facility last September/October and CAF invited select people to inspect them and give feedback on a final design.

He told The Post the video presentation was less than ideal.

"The video gives a visual approximation of the carriages but 20 minutes on the train would provide a more complete understanding of the new trains. Alas, we were fobbed off with a vague hope of an inspection in the second half of the year when they have settled all the details and it is too late to change anything," Mr Price said.

STRUG is arguing for several improvements, including disability access, larger luggage areas, wider aisles and better seating arrangements, to name a few. Mr Price says the presentation highlighted some good elements but also potential flaws.

"They will be in two forms, a regional train equivalent to our Xplorer and XPT trains and an Intercity version equivalent to our Endeavour trains," he said.

"Pleasingly, the Intercity sets will only have two seats either side of the aisle instead of the current two and three seats. These are reversible. The seats appear to be fabric covered. Without sitting in them we cannot say how comfortable they will be. The floors will be vinyl covered like the Endeavour trains, so noise suppression might be an ongoing issue in the new trains saloons.

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"Like the Endeavour trains the new trains' windows are quite long. But unlike the Endeavours, they are fitted with blinds on the inside. To avoid damage we think they should be fitted between the two window panes."

The regional fleet has two seats on each side. First class will become 'premium' class with two seats on one side and one on the other. These are generally reversible, with the exception of several bays with facing seats and a table in the middle. Economy seats are covered in fabric while premium has 'e-leather.'

But Mr Price said while the toilets were pitched as being more user friendly, it was difficult to gain a proper idea of space on a video. The same applied with luggage and wheelchair storage areas.

STRUG has also argued for improved accessibility at stations with low platforms, including Tallong. Mr Price said he had previously observed a man supplying a milk crate for his wife to stand on so she could safely access the train and grasp the safety rail at the same time.

CAF representatives said at low platforms, a power operated ramp activated by a sensor would help people board trains. The sensor enables its extension.

"We were told the ramp had been tested at lower platforms and worked well (but) we doubt that it was tested at some of the lower regional platforms," Mr Price said.

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"They obviously haven't been to Tallong... (Currently) the angle of the wheelchair ramp is such that it would be near impossible to push a wheelchair up it. We believe that the ramp coming out at the door way would physically stop people from being able to board the train. The ramp will need to be disabled at such low platforms."

Meeting participants had 30 minutes for questions but Mr Price said this was dominated by one group and he was unable to ask much.

He has also questioned the overall feedback process, saying the group had been "fobbed off" when it asked for a visual inspection of the mock train last year. CAF was leading the consultation but had enlisted a public relations company.

"It seems to me that groups like STRUG, which have a bit of expertise and an idea of what is needed, aren't getting a meaningful say," he said.

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The group was also awaiting the release of Professor Andrew McNaughton's report on suggested improvements to regional train services, including high-speed rail and track improvements between Sydney and Canberra. The state government commissioned the report in 2018 but Mr Price said it was more than a year overdue.

Meantime, Regional Transport and Roads Minister Paul Toole has described the new train fleet as "state of the art," with modern conveniences like phone chargers that would take travel into the 21^st century.

The fleet is expected to be operational by early 2023.

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