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.

Sydney's historic T3 Bankstown line has been closed after 130 years to allow for a new Metro line. Credit: 7News / YouTube

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.

Key Takeaways

• The historic T3 Bankstown line in Sydney has closed after 130 years of operation to make way for a new Metro line.
• The final train journey on the line took place, with carriages packed with enthusiasts wearing commemorative T-shirts.
• Major construction work for the Metro conversion will begin soon, with the closure expected to cause travel delays and require commuter patience.
• The new Metro system promises to modernise the line and serve the city throughout the coming century.

How do you feel about the closure and the move towards the new Sydney Metro? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Suzanne rose]

This shut-down has severely affected my daughters travel to uni.

We live between the Bankstown line and the Beverley Hills / Kingsgrove line.
My daughter usually catches a train from Lakemba to Liverpool for Uni and now it's adding 45 minutes each way .

Her and a friend will now drive.

I guess it had to be done but we still don't understand if the driveless trains are replacing the trains or are there going to be both !!

I'm glad I nolonger have to catch a train to the city. I would use both lines and I can only imagine the crowed trains on the east hills line now

 

[novezar]

Well, we as kids would take it in turns to go to either Bankstown or Granville swimming pools where I learned to swim by Don Talbot in the early '50's.

 

[novezar]

I forgot to mention, for those who don't know who Don Talbot is, in later years , he was the coach/trainer for the Aussie olympic swimmers for the games. Taught me well. Once upon a time, I was way, way out of my depths off the beach, with the skills he taught, I safefully returned to shore. Many thanks to you, Don.

 

[GHW41jew#3]

Progress is of necessity

 

[Toni Wrinkles]

I would love a $1 for every ride I have taken on this train line, catch the bus to Yagoona or Bankstown then to Lakemba to work or through my young years from there to the Quay, to walk around the Harbour or just ride it to Town Hall and walk around town or up The Cross (as kids do) lol I remember riding along near Christmas to go see the displays and would see the Fantastic displays that houses did along the way, it wasn't a big thing then but the ones that did it put a lot into it, it's where I got my bug from, it didn't matter how sad you were then I saw the smiles on peoples faces as they craned their neck to see as we went past, I love seeing people smile and hear kids laugh hence the start of my starting with one little Christmas Ornament in the front window to doing the front verandah and outside when I lived in Pagewood and I made sure there was a train on the display table WHY? because of a few train trips from Banky to the City and the joy on peoples faces.

 

[Mr Chips]

I would love a $1 for every ride I have taken on this train line, catch the bus to Yagoona or Bankstown then to Lakemba to work or through my young years from there to the Quay, to walk around the Harbour or just ride it to Town Hall and walk around town or up The Cross (as kids do) lol I remember riding along near Christmas to go see the displays and would see the Fantastic displays that houses did along the way, it wasn't a big thing then but the ones that did it put a lot into it, it's where I got my bug from, it didn't matter how sad you were then I saw the smiles on peoples faces as they craned their neck to see as we went past, I love seeing people smile and hear kids laugh hence the start of my starting with one little Christmas Ornament in the front window to doing the front verandah and outside when I lived in Pagewood and I made sure there was a train on the display table WHY? because of a few train trips from Banky to the City and the joy on peoples faces.

That is just beautiful.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The 15 cent child excursion was your friend. Return travel anywhere in the Sydney Metropolitan Area for a pittance!!

 

[DLHM]

Progress is of necessity

As the population grows, so does transportation.

 

[Dynamo]

I would love a $1 for every ride I have taken on this train line, catch the bus to Yagoona or Bankstown then to Lakemba to work or through my young years from there to the Quay, to walk around the Harbour or just ride it to Town Hall and walk around town or up The Cross (as kids do) lol I remember riding along near Christmas to go see the displays and would see the Fantastic displays that houses did along the way, it wasn't a big thing then but the ones that did it put a lot into it, it's where I got my bug from, it didn't matter how sad you were then I saw the smiles on peoples faces as they craned their neck to see as we went past, I love seeing people smile and hear kids laugh hence the start of my starting with one little Christmas Ornament in the front window to doing the front verandah and outside when I lived in Pagewood and I made sure there was a train on the display table WHY? because of a few train trips from Banky to the City and the joy on peoples faces.

Great memories

 

[novezar]

Hi there, Veggie,
I, as with quite a number of us where we did better than the 15 cent bit. Our excursion fare was a "Deena" (1 shilling) return on the trains & Manly ferry, i.e. 1/. (10 cents in todays dough). There again a shilling was 12d (12 pence). When you really do the maths with inflation, not much better than 15 cents, I guess.

Just something I thought I'd like to chuck around, that's all.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

It's a train line, a necessity but hardly a historic land mark

 

[Ebby]

We could do with a train service here in Hobart as the buses are few and far between from where we live and Hobart has so many more people to warrant it.