THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has been found to have fallen short of properly using its own track reporting systems in regulators’ investigation of a freight train derailment in northern NSW.
The derailment near Kyogle on 31 May 2022 affected a Pacific National train with three locomotives and 56 wagons en route from Brisbane to Sydney on ARTC-managed track. An empty wagon’s bogie derailed midway down the train, and dragged along the track as the train continued for 2.3 km, at which point the wagon separated from the train.
Eleven of the wagons then derailed and an automatic emergency brake activated, bringing the train to a stop. There were no injuries, but there was significant damage to wagons and track.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI), which investigates rail occurrences in NSW, investigated the accident under a collaboration agreement with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
The investigation’s final report notes the initial derailment occurred in a location with a history of track geometry defects.
“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.
Image: ATSB
“The track was only checked during routine inspections and was not inspected any more closely than usual. We found the problem had probably been getting worse since the last time it was inspected.”
Although various attempts had been made over time to repair the defect by the local team, OTSI’s investigation determined action taken to manage the defect was largely informal.
“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,” Mr Modrouvanos said.
“This data would have allowed ARTC to make informed decisions to undertake major works which could have provided for a longer-term repair.”
Following the accident, ARTC implemented a new centralised system for integrating and analysing asset condition data, imagery, and maintenance records across its entire network. It also established a dedicated, central engineering function to provide technical support to the provisioning centres and maintainers in each section of its network.
Mr Modrouvanos welcomed these safety actions, and others detailed in the report: “Asset management procedures and standards within a safety management system are there to ensure assets are managed effectively and safely.” he said.
“This means operators need to make sure that qualified workers doing safety critical jobs are following the required procedures and standards consistently.”
Read the final report here.