Action has been taken to improve the identification of track misalignment and geometry defects on Australia's federally managed railways, after a passenger train impacted part of a derailed freight train in Victoria.
On 29 January 2020, several of a Pacific National freight train's wagons derailed and it parted into three sections near Barnawartha, in northern Victoria, while travelling on the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) interstate rail network towards Albury, New South Wales.
A final report from an investigation by Victoria's Office of the Chief Investigator (OCI), which investigates rail occurrences in Victoria under a collaboration agreement with the ATSB, notes the front section of the freight train, including three derailed wagons, continued after the initial incident.
"A short time later, the driver of a V/Line passenger train, approaching from the opposite direction on adjacent track, observed dust and the approaching freight train, and applied the brake on their train," OCI Director Investigations Sri Ranasingha said.
At about the same time, the drivers of the freight train reported seeing the passenger train and observing a brake pipe airflow indication, and the freight train began slowing.
"However, the trains could not be stopped before passing, and the passenger train hit a shipping container on a derailed wagon of the freight train, resulting in minor damage."
Fortunately, the passenger train stopped about 50 m short of another shipping container, which had fallen from the freight train and was resting across both tracks. No injuries were reported.
The OCI transport safety investigation found the derailment had occurred as the wagons travelled over a vertical track geometry defect and a probable lateral track misalignment. The vertical track geometry defect was present immediately prior to the derailment location and the lateral track misalignment probably formed under train 4MC2.
"This defect was not identified in ARTC's exceedance report, as track geometry was being assessed against incorrect limits," Mr Ranasingha said.
"Furthermore, the investigation identified ARTC's system for reducing the risk of track misalignment, and its associated procedures, did not lead to locations at or adjacent to the derailment being identified as special locations potentially vulnerable to track instability."
In response to the incident, ARTC has made several changes to procedures and standards relating to track misalignment, track geometry defects and mud hole management.
These targeted safety actions aim to improve ARTC's capacity to identify locations that may become vulnerable to track instability.
"In addition, ARTC has undertaken to review available technology to improve its stress-free temperature testing capability," Mr Ranasingha noted.
This is relevant to the incident, as the extent that changes to rail stress may have contributed to the lateral misalignment could not be assessed as the stress-free temperature was not being measured.
Mr Ranasingha said the incident highlighted the potential roles of track geometry and instability in derailment.
"Track managers are encouraged to ensure standards and processes are effective at identifying and rectifying geometry and stability issues, to ensure derailment risk is managed."
You can find here the final report: Derailment of freight train 4MC2 and subsequent impact with passenger train 8630, at Barnawartha, Victoria, on 29 January 2020
