The report into the derailment of an empty coal train in Denman in 2016 has been released by the Australian Transport Safety Burea has shown that defects in train tracks could deteriorate faster than expected.
The 1.5 kilometre long train bound for Wilpinjong Colliery near Mudgee had some of its wheels mount the rail over a stretch of track in Denman and fall between the rails, leaving a 71-kilometre trail of damage to track and level crossings before the incident had been noticed by track crews.
The derailment site was under a speed restriction after geometry defects were identified a week earlier, and repairs had been planned to occur the day after the derailment.
The train left Kooragang Coal Terminal in the early hours of the morning on 19 January 2016, and passed through the speed-restricted stretch of track between Ogilvie Road and Rosemount Road level crossings.
The left-hand wheels of the 64th wagon mounted the rail along the stretch, and traveled along the railhead for 10 metres before dropping off between the rails.
Crews were alerted damage caused to a signal prompted crews to investigate, discovering the damage to track.
The drivers who were unaware of the derailment were asked to stop the train and inspect the carriages.
The ATSB noted in its report that the defects deteriorated faster than expected, causing the derailment before the planned repairs.
The report states that, "Factors that can contribute to rapid deterioration should be considered when developing maintenance responses."
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| The wheels of the 64th wagon left a trail of damage after travelling 71km from the derailment site. |
