Newcastle Flyer the final "Newcastle Flyer" steam special operated in October 2014 with 3642. Newcastle Flyer The Newcastle Flyer was an Australian passenger express train that operated from November 1929 until April 1988 connecting New South Wales' two largest cities, Sydney and Newcastle. On 1 May 1889 the first trains began running between Sydney and Newcastle. However, it was not until November 1929, with the pending completion of the Pacific Highway, that a premier express service was introduced. Two trains named the "Inter City Express" and the "Northern Commercial Limited" were introduced taking 2 hours 45 minutes to cover the 168 kilometres.
Newcastle City Council 2018. The council was under the control of the Labour Party from its reconstitution in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, until 2004. The Liberal Democrats controlled the Council from 2004 until 2011, when the Labour Party regained control. There are currently 56 Labour councillors, 19 Liberal Democrat councillors and 3 Independent councillors. For a list of past Mayors and Lord Mayors see List of Lord Mayors of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Newcastle has 26 electoral wards. Following an electoral review in 2016, the current boundaries were established in May 2018. Newcastle City Council Newcastle City Council is the local government authority