As the sun sets on a historic chapter of Sydney's transportation history, the T3 Bankstown line, which has faithfully served the city for 130 years, has seen its final train depart.

This momentous event marks the end of an era and the beginning of a significant transformation that will reshape the daily commute for thousands.


In the early hours, the last train chugged out of Circular Quay Station at 12:06 am, heading towards Bankstown in the city's southwest.

The carriages were filled with train enthusiasts, some donning commemorative T-shirts emblazoned with the service dates—a testament to the line's longevity from 1895 to 2024.

These individuals gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the legacy of a line that has been an integral part of Sydney's transport fabric.


While it signifies progress and the march towards modernity, it also brings a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.

The line's history is rich. It was inaugurated when steam trains were the pinnacle of travel before transitioning to electric trains in 1926.

The line has witnessed the evolution of the city and the growth of its suburbs and has been a silent witness to the lives of countless Sydneysiders.

As the line closes to make way for the new Sydney Metro, major construction is set to begin, with the section between Bankstown and Sydenham undergoing a significant transformation.

This upgrade is part of a broader vision to modernise Sydney's transport system, ensuring it can meet the demands of a growing population and the challenges of the 21st century.

For commuters, the closure means adapting to a new reality. Free buses will replace trains during the construction period, but journey times are expected to double, which has not gone unnoticed by the public.

Matt Longland, chief executive of Sydney Trains, has acknowledged the magnitude of this change, calling it the 'end of an era for Sydney Trains' and urging passengers to be patient over the coming weeks as trackwork and timetable changes occur.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen has also recognised the closure's impact, describing it as 'an incredibly tough time' for commuters.


However, she remains optimistic, viewing the T3 transformation as a new beginning that will 'see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come.'

The new Sydney Metro line, which the T3 line will eventually link up with at Sydenham, promises to bring faster, more frequent services and is expected to be completed in about a year.

This development is part of a broader push to create a more efficient and reliable public transport network in Sydney that can cater to the needs of a modern, bustling metropolis.

In other news, Sydney commuters are puzzled by an ambiguous poster found at Green Square railway station.

The poster features sea life and the slogan 'Trains. They help.'

Many found the advertisement too vague, while others immediately guessed its intent. You can read more about it here.
How do you feel about the closure and the move towards the new Sydney Metro? Let us know in the comments below.