The Fish (train)

The Fish

NSW TrainLink V set at Central
Overview
Service type	Passenger train
Current operator(s)	NSW TrainLink
Route
Termini	Lithgow Sydney
Distance travelled	156 kilometres
Service frequency	Daily in each direction
Line(s) used	Main Western
Technical
Rolling stock	V sets

The Fish is the legacy name for the passenger train that operates over the Blue Mountains between Lithgow and Sydney, Australia.

As of 2023, the name is unofficial and over the years,^[when?] has not formally been used to refer to the Blue Mountains Line service run by NSW TrainLink.

History

In the 19th century, a train from Sydney to Penrith was driven by John Herron, a large man with the nickname of The Big Fish.^[1] The name transferred to the train itself and it remains in use today. The name has been applied to various Blue Mountains services over the years and today is a commuter service from Lithgow to Sydney operated by V sets.

Following electrification of the Main Western line in 1958, it was operated by U set single-deck electric trains. These in turn were replaced by double-deck V sets.

It is complemented by another service, The Chips and used to also run with The Summit and The Heron.^[2]

According to the current timetable,^[3] The Fish leaves Lithgow at 5:08 am, reaches Mt Victoria at 5:37 am and arrives Sydney at 7:47 am. The Chips leaves Lithgow at 5:38 am, reaches Mt Victoria at 6:07 am and arrives Sydney at 8:17 am.

References

1. "MORE ABOUT "THE FISH"". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 7 November 1945. p. 3 (TOWN EDITION). Retrieved 28 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "Chamber of Commerce Calls for New Train Name". Nepean Times. Vol. 77, no. 3978. New South Wales, Australia. 10 September 1959. p. 9. Retrieved 28 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Blue Mountains line timetable". Transport for NSW.