An investigation into the derailment of a freight train in northern NSW has found it happened on a section of track with a history of 'geometry' defects.
A freight train derailed near Kyogle in 2023.Supplied: Australian Transport Safety BureauA freight train travelling between Brisbane and Sydney derailed near Kyogle , in northern NSW, in May 2023. An investigation has found the accident, which derailed 11 wagons, happened on a section of track with a history of defects.
The body that manages the freight-rail network has now centralised its asset-condition data and maintenance records. abc.net.au/news/kyogle-freight-train-derail-report-defects-nsw/106541808An investigation into the derailment of a freight train in northern NSW, which closed a major rail line for more than five days, has found it happened on a section of track with a history of "geometry defects". A Pacific National freight train with three locomotives and 56 wagons was travelling from Brisbane to Sydney on May 31, 2022, when an empty wagon's undercarriage, or bogie, was derailed near Kyogle. The bogie dragged along the track for 2.3 kilometres before 11 of the wagons derailed and an automatic emergency brake was activated. Eleven wagons were derailed when a freight train crashed near Kyogle in 2023.Supplied: Australian Transport Safety BureauThe Office of Transport Safety Investigations , which investigates rail occurrences in NSW, found there were no injuries, but there was significant damage to wagons and the track. "There was a temporary speed restriction in place at the location, which the train crew followed, and a partial repair had been completed four days prior to the derailment," OTSI Chief Investigator Jim Modrouvanos said in his report. It found the driver had reduced his speed from 70 kilometres per hour to between 16 to 20km/h in response to the warning. "The track was only checked during routine inspections and was not inspected any more closely than usual.The OTSI investigation found action taken to manage the defect was largely informal.Mud and water were found beneath the track during repair work following a derailment near Kyogle.Supplied: Australian Transport Safety AuthorityThe track is managed and maintained by the Australian Rail Track Corporation , which is responsible for more than 9,600km of rail across five states . "ARTC did not use its asset management system or the measurement records taken before and after the temporary repairs to inform management that major works were needed,""This data would have allowed ARTC to make informed decisions to undertake major works, which could have provided for a longer-term repair." Defects have been identified on the stretch of track where a freight train was derailed.Supplied: Office of Transport Safety InvestigationsThe report noted that following the accident, ARTC implemented a new centralised system to analyse asset condition data, imagery and maintenance records across its network. "Asset management procedures and standards within a safety management system are there to ensure assets are managed effectively and safely," Mr Modrouvanos said. "This means operators need to make sure that qualified workers doing safety critical jobs are following the required procedures and standards consistently."
Kyogle Track Report Safety Rail Pacific National Freight Train Office Of Transport Safety Investigations Australian Rail Track Corporation OTSI Chief Investigator Jim Modrouvanos
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