Northern Line (Sydney) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northern Line
An A set at Cheltenham station
Overview
Service type	Commuter rail service
Status	Active
Locale	Sydney
Current operator(s)	Sydney Trains
Route
Line used	Main North Main Suburban North Shore
Technical
Rolling stock	T, H, A and B sets
Timetable number(s)	T9
Sydney Trains services Metro North West North Shore & Western Inner West & Leppington Bankstown Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Cumberland Olympic Park Airport & South Northern

The Northern Line is a train service in Sydney, Australia. It's known as T9 and is shown in red on train maps. This line helps people travel between Sydney's Inner West and Northern suburbs. It became its own separate line in April 2019. Before that, it was part of a bigger line called the T1 North Shore, Northern & Western Line. The T9 line is also a bit like an older Northern Line that ran until 2013.

History of the Northern Line

How the Line Started (until 2013)

A map of the Northern Line before 2009

The original Northern Line was part of the Main North railway line. This section, from Strathfield to Hornsby, opened in 1886. It became an electric train line in 1926. When the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened, it connected this line to the North Shore line. This meant trains could travel across the Harbour Bridge.

Passenger trains used to be called the Main North Line. They were shown in red on train maps. These trains went all the way to Cowan. In 1992, the service stopped at Berowra instead. Later, this line and the North Shore Line (which was yellow) formed a continuous loop. This loop went through Strathfield, Epping, and back to Hornsby.

A map of the Northern Line between 2009 and 2013. The line is marked in red.

Later on, the line was simply called the Northern Line. It ran from Hornsby to North Sydney, going through Strathfield and the City. In 2009, a new train link opened between Epping and Chatswood. The Northern Line then connected with this new link. This split the traditional Northern Line into two parts. Trains from north of Epping used the new link. They then went to the city via the North Shore Line.

Part of T1 (2013 to 2019)

In October 2013, the Northern Line joined two other lines. These were the North Shore Line and the Western Line. Together, they formed a new, bigger line called the T1 North Shore, Northern & Western Line. This combined line was shown in yellow on maps.

During weekdays, trains from the upper Northern Line (Hornsby via Macquarie University) connected with Western Line trains. These trains went towards Richmond or Emu Plains. Trains from the lower Northern Line (Epping via Strathfield) joined North Shore Line trains. These went towards Hornsby or Berowra. On weekends, trains ran more like they did before the merger.

In September 2018, the Epping to Chatswood line closed. This was to change it for the new Sydney Metro Northwest project. Because of this, the traditional Northern Line route was brought back. This route went from Hornsby to Central via Strathfield.

The New T9 Northern Line (since 2019)

A map of the T9 Northern Line after 2019.

On April 28, 2019, the Northern Line became its own separate line again. It was now called the T9 Northern Line. This happened as part of the changes for the Sydney Metro Northwest. The new T9 line runs from Hornsby to Gordon and back. It follows a route very similar to the line before 2009. It is also coloured red on train maps, just like it used to be.

In September 2023, the T9 line became special. It was the first train line in Sydney to be fully accessible for wheelchairs. This was after the upgrade of Denistone station was finished.

What Route Does the T9 Northern Line Take?

The T9 line starts at Hornsby station. This is a station where the North Shore Line also runs. The line then goes south to Strathfield, passing through Epping. It uses the Main North Line for this part of the journey. Trains cross the Parramatta River between Rhodes and Meadowbank. At Strathfield, trains usually go over other tracks. They then head east onto the Main Suburban Railway.

Trains pass through Redfern and Central stations. Then they go through the western part of the City Circle. After that, they cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Trains then head north along the North Shore towards Gordon. From Gordon, these trains continue as T1 North Shore line trains. They can go to Hornsby or Berowra.

During off-peak times and on weekends, the T9 usually makes a full loop. It goes from Hornsby to Hornsby or Berowra (anti-clockwise) and back. However, during busy morning and afternoon times, the route changes. It has two different stopping patterns:

Anti-clockwise direction:

• All stations from Hornsby to Epping. Then Eastwood, West Ryde, Meadowbank, Rhodes, Strathfield, Burwood. Finally, it stops at Central (Grand Concourse).
• All stations from Epping to Strathfield. Then Redfern, Central. After that, all stations to Gordon. Then all stations to Hornsby or Berowra (continuing as T1 North Shore line).

Clockwise direction:

• All stations from Berowra or Hornsby or Lindfield to Redfern. Then Strathfield. After that, all stations to Epping.
• Central (Grand Concourse). Then Burwood, Strathfield, Rhodes, Meadowbank, West Ryde, Eastwood, Epping. Finally, all stations to Hornsby.

The journey from the Northern Line to Redfern station is officially called T9. But from Central station onwards, the screens often show these trains as T1. This is even if they started on the Northern Line. However, at stations from Hornsby to Redfern (via Strathfield), announcements say T9 services go to Gordon. They also say the service then "continues to T1 North Shore line."

How Many People Use the T9 Line?

This table shows how many people used the T9 line up to June 30, 2022.