A second train has joined the testing fleet on the Southwest Metro line, bringing southwest Sydney a step closer to metro services extending to Bankstown later this year.

The train will run alongside the original test train, which is currently operating under “loaded” conditions – carrying 106 containers filled with 115,500 litres of water. 

This is the equivalent weight of 1540 passengers, allowing the testing team to check the performance of the train at full passenger capacity. 

The train has already completed more than 500 kilometres of performance and safety testing between Sydenham and Bankstown. 

Higher-speed testing began on November 10, 2025. Since then, more than 1200 of the required 9,000 hours have been completed at speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.  

Work to upgrade 10 stations across Sydney’s southwest is also reaching its final stage, with 80 per cent of overall construction complete as part of the Southwest Metro Conversion and Station Works.  

Teams at the stations are concentrating on the installation of signage and the tiling of platforms, while testing and commissioning of the platform screen doors and mechanical gap fillers is ongoing and landscaping and streetscape work has started.  

Further work is needed to integrate the operational M1 Line with the new Southwest Metro line, necessitating a series of full and partial closures of the M1 Line in the lead-up to opening.   

“While disruptive, these closures are essential to allow critical work to be carried out safely,” Sydney Metro said.  

The full M1 line will be closed: 

Replacement buses will run between Tallawong and Chatswood, with Sydney Trains services between Chatswood and Sydenham. 

There will be a partial line closure from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 29 March.  

No metro services will run between Macquarie Park and Victoria Cross while Sydney Trains completes trackwork at Chatswood. Passengers are advised to use replacement buses as trackwork will also affect T1 North Shore Line trains.