Western Mail (train)

Western Mail

Overview
Service type	Passenger train
Status	Ceased
First service	1973
Last service	27 November 1988
Former operator(s)	State Rail Authority
Route
Start	Sydney
End	Dubbo Parkes
Distance travelled	462 km (Dubbo) 446 km (Parkes)
Service frequency	Nightly in each direction
Line used	Main Western

The Western Mail was an Australian passenger train that ran from Sydney to Dubbo and Parkes from the 1973 until November 1988. The service commenced when the Dubbo Mail and Forbes Mail were combined.

The service ran overnight from Sydney via the Main Western line to Orange where the train divided with separate portions for Dubbo and Parkes. At Dubbo it connected with the Far West Express to Bourke, Cobar and Coonamble.

From 1957, the Sydney to Lithgow portion of the journey was hauled by 46 and later 86 class electric locomotives following the electrification of the Blue Mountains line.

Until November 1983, the Parkes service was extended to Forbes on certain nights. From June 1985, most Dubbo based State Rail Authority road coach services that connected with the Western Mail were retimed to meet with the Central West XPT.

The Orange to Parkes portion was withdrawn in May 1986 with the remainder of the service ceasing in November 1988.