NSW Rail Historical Timetables

1989 saw the release of new timetables, the style of which reflected the new Cityrail branding. Suburban timetables showed a sketch of a tangara crossing the harbour bridge, whilst intercity tables showed a sketch of a V-set. (Except Goulburn and Newcastle, which aren't of course electrified hence had nothing). The same angular map was used on suburban tables, the intercity ones had a map of the line they served only.

Note that in 1989-1990, the Central Coast Line table showed both suburban (to Hornsby/ Cowan) and interurban services (to Newcastle), excluding Fassifern to Broadmeadow. Newcastle Area timetable showed these Fassifern to Broadmeadow services as well as services to Scone and Dungog.

There are 13 tables in this series. Note the funky pink South Coast table, (now not called the Illawarra Line), and the different style Blue Mountains Line table.

In 1991, the Main North/ Central Coast/ Newcastle areas split from two into three timetables with the addition of a 'Hornsby via Strathfield line' timetable. The Central coast timetable now excluded suburban workings, and showed all services to Newcastle. The Newcastle Area timetable showed only Maitland/ Scone and Dungog services, not Sydney services also, as previously. It is now called the Maitland Line timetable.

1992 saw a major overhaul of the timetable, and a new design was introduced. The timetables were produced with full colour glossy covers, with the line name printed along the left hand border and a new circular train logo on the front. the back had a new full colour map, the design changed to one that could be considered to be a bit ambiguous in some respects to the casual observer. (See maps). Gone are the National Park and Sandown lines.The tables also had improved information inside, including a line diagram, 'service guige' and details on station facilities. There are 14 in this series, with several name changes: gone are 'Macarthur Line' and 'East Hills line', in come 'Campbelltown via Liverpool' and 'Campbelltown via East Hills' lines.

The timetable was being updated every six months, in Jan and then May 1992.

1992 also saw Cityrail publish one page Summary peak hour timetables', smaller and presumably cheaper tables targetted at commuters with only peak hous services on them.

Another update came out in early 1993 of similar style, but it wasn't long before new design timetables came out to reflect changes in  late 1993. These tables were  of the colour of the line they serviced, rather than mainly white.

The 1994 timetable had white branding in the corner so as to stand out. Station facilities and other information was moved from the centre to the front.

Similarly, the 1995 update had branding across the top right, this time in red. An update in March for the Maitland/ Upper Hunter was for the new Metford staion opening.

Late 1995 saw another new timetable and another design. These timetables featured pictures of various rail related activities on the covers, different for each line.The Carlingford line table is yellow. Service changes at this time mainly consisted of improved weekend services, especially on the Inner West, Bankstown and Sutherland lines. Bankstown- Parramatta (Blacktown) services were brought in with this table.

1996 saw a the Merrylands- Harris Park Y- Link open, and a major overhaul of the timetable which was widely criticised for its failure to be able to run on time. The tables themselves were completely redesigned to a smaller pocket sized version. Inside, one had to tune the 'table onto the side to read it. A new designed map (see maps) and much needed station index was in the centre pages. These were also the first to carry paid advertising, mainly by channel nine (see example). Line names changed to titles reflecting where the line started and ended, eg. Waterfall/ Cronulla- Bondi Junction. The Carlingford line is placed in the Emu Plains/ Richmond booklet.

By June 1997, the timetable had to be altered with many pre 1996 elements being brought back. The unflattering photo of a woman walking two kids along the platform was used on the suburban covers.

October 1997 saw an update for many but not all lines, with former line names being used again. However 'Illawarra line' now refers to the suburban service on that line. The first use of 'Southern Highlands Line' is seen.

August 1999 saw the last timetable revision prior to the opening of the airport line and a new set of timetables across the network. They were essentially the same style as the 1996 tables, but with a new cover, and new map inside reflecting the new line. The Bankstown line became purple, and the Carlingford line dark blue, as did the Hunter lines. (see maps). The Campbelltown line becomes South line, the Inner West line replaces Liverpool- City via Regents Park. Newcastle and Hunter services are in one timetable.

The 21st May 2000 saw the opening of the airport line and new timetables to reflect this, with major changes on the East Hills line, now called Airport and East Hills line. Also the Illawarra became Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Lines

The Olympics in 2000 involved a special timetable for the duration. The South and Inner West were combined into one purple timetable. No services ran on the Cumberland Line.