Derailment at Petrie

[ozbob]

Just heard been a derailment on the Northern line.

Buses running between Lawnton and Burpengary.

http://www.translink.com.au/  for updates

delays on the Caboolture line
Buses will operate between Burpengary and Lawnton stations (inbound and outbound) until furthur notice. Please monitor the website for updates.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes  click here!

A freight train has derailed in Brisbane's north and could block the line for up to 48 hours, Queensland Rail (QR) says.

The 10 wagon QR National freight train came off the tracks at the northern end of Petrie Station at 10.05am today, a QR spokeswoman said.

The derailment meant no trains could move south of Caboolture or north of Zillmere.

Buses were being arranged for passengers while the derailment was cleared, which could take up to 48 hours, she said.

Emergency services were at the derailment this morning but no injuries were recorded.

It is not known if the train was carrying any freight.

An investigation into the derailment has begun.

AAP

[ozbob]

Platform 1 Petrie has reopened, buses now running from Petrie to Narangba.

Three  Citytrain units were north of Petri, these will run shuttles Narangba to Caboolture.  Buses from Caboolture to Nambour Gympie.

[ozbob]

Signal failure at Petrie.  Trains from CBD terminating at Lawnton for the time being.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Commuting into chaos

Commuting into chaos
Article from: The Courier-Mail
Tristan Swanwick and Steven Wardill

December 11, 2007 11:00pm

THOUSANDS of peak-hour commuters face further chaos this morning after a train derailment closed the busy Caboolture line north of Petrie.

Buses last night diverted frustrated passengers around the crash site after the Queensland Rail freight train came off the tracks north of Petrie station just after 10am.

The line between Petrie and Narangba was expected to remain closed for up to 24 hours while the wreckage was cleared, meaning further dramas for travellers this morning and possibly this afternoon.

Forecast rain today may also add to the commuter woes.

The Caboolture line is known as one of the most overcrowded commuter routes in Brisbane with about 7000 passengers a day. Buses have been ferrying passengers from Petrie to Narangba station before they can rejoin the Caboolture train line.

Passengers travelling from Caboolture to Nambour and Gympie have been told they will have to catch a bus.

QR passenger services manager Andy Taylor said passengers would have to follow the same process to get back into the City this morning.

"The derailment has caused significant damage to both the tracks and overhead wires," he said.

The derailment had also affected Tilt Train and other Traveltrain services.

Transport Minister John Mickel has summoned Queensland Rail's head of freight Steve Cantwell for an urgent meeting today about the recent spate of derailments.

A spokesman said Mr Mickel would seek answers about whether there were continuing issues with track and rolling stock maintenance as well as insight into potential causes of the Petrie derailment.

The train was hauling tonnes of fly ash when it crashed, derailing 10 wagons.

The driver was not hurt but the impact caused up to eight containers of the fly ash to spill and authorities face a massive clean-up operation.

Environment Protection Agency officers were at the scene yesterday although the concrete powder is not toxic.

It was the third accident on Queensland railways in the past four days.

It comes as Queensland Rail is set to lose its monopoly of the state's lucrative coal haulage market.

Asciano, which owns the Pacific National group, yesterday revealed plans to spend about $529 million so that it can begin hauling coal in the second half of 2009.

It is seeking to capitalise on frustrations with Queensland's clogged coal export chains and has already placed orders to buy diesel and electric trains.

[ozbob]

Live report on 612 ABC Brisbane this morning from Petrie.

Work proceeding, will be a number of days before full restoration of services.

Bus Narangba to Lawnton.  Trains Lawnton to CBD and beyound.  Trains Narangba to Caboolture.  Bus further north.



From QR click here!

Service Disruptions Wednesday 12/12/2007

Due to the derailment at Petrie QR is experiencing service disruptions on the Nambour/Caboolture line. Buses will be operating between Narangba and Lawnton.

Passengers from Nambour will be conveyed by bus to Lawnton, with a connecting train service to the City

Delays of up to 45 minutes can be expected


For further enquiries please call Translink on 13 12 30 or contact QR Passenger Services on 07 3606 5555.


QR apologies for these changes to your normal service and appreciate your patience as we work to minimise these disruptions.

[ozbob]

More problems with electric overheads at Morayfield.  Looks like bus for the time being Narangba to Caboolture too.  (effectively Lawnton to Caboolture).



From QR Citytrain.

Caboolture Line: Service disruptions between Lawnton Station and Caboolture Station

12 Dec 2007

As at 11:51 AM, QR Citytrain is experiencing service disruptions between Lawnton Station and Caboolture Station. Delays of up to 30 mins may be experienced.

Buses are running in lieu of Citytrain services.

For further enquiries, please call TRANSLink on 13 12 30 or contact QR Passenger Services on 07 3606 5555.

We apologise for these changes to your normal service and appreciate your patience as we work to minimise impacts.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
12/12/2007

PASSENGERS THANKED FOR THEIR PATIENCE WHILE DERAILMENT CLEANUP WORK CONTINUES

Minister for Transport John Mickel thanked passengers for their patience in coping with disruptions caused by the freight train derailment at Petrie.

Speaking onsite after he inspected the progress of cleanup works and repairs to the track and towers, Mr Mickel said Citytrain passengers had helped significantly by using other forms of transport and being patient with alternative bus services.

"I'm advised the alternative services worked well during yesterday's peak and QR was able to get several thousand people home," he said.

"I thank the QR crews carrying out the clean-up and repair work they continued through the night.

"A dedicated team of people is on site working as safely and efficiently as possible to clear the tracks.

"I appeal for passengers to continue to be patient.

"QR advises me services will again run from the City to Lawnton Station this afternoon. Customers will then catch buses supplied by QR between Lawnton and Narangba Stations and a train from Narangba to Caboolture Stations.

"Those travelling from Caboolture to Nambour and Gympie will have to catch buses supplied by QR to their destinations.

"Customers can be assured QR crews are doing everything possible to clear the site as quickly as possible to get full services back up and running."

QR has 10,000 km of rail tracks in Queensland that carry more than 300,000 trains a year. It spends more than $300 million a year on track and rolling stock maintence.

"I was assured this morning by QR's General Manager of Freight Steve Cantwell that specialist investigators have already started to examine the cause of the Petrie derailment. Early indications point to mechanical failure on a wagon," Mr Mickel said.

"Their report will be provided to Queensland Transport."

The Minister said QR had advised him that derailments had halved since 1999 and extensive inspection measures were in place, including:

? on-foot or vehicle track patrols at least every 96 hours, and some every 72 hours
? detailed inspections every six weeks
? scanning by special machinery four times a year.

For up-to-date service information from QR visit www.qr.com.au

12 December

[ozbob]

More alterations:  From QR Citytrain

Service Disruptions Wednesday at 3:00 PM

As at 3:00 PM, QR is experiencing continuing service disruptions on the CABOOLTURE/NAMBOUR line.

Train services from the city will terminate at Strathpine.

Buses will operate between Strathpine and Caboolture and Nambour.

Gympie North Passengers, Buses will depart CENTRAL station (on Edward Street) at 6.00pm

This service to GYMPIE NORTH will run express to ELIMBAH station

For further enquiries please call Translink on 13 12 30 or contact QR Passenger Services on 07 3606 5555.

QR apologies for these changes to your normal service and appreciate your patience as we work to minimise these disruptions.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Mechanical failure caused derailment

Mechanical failure caused derailment
Jessica Marszalek | December 12, 2007 - 5:22PM

Queensland Rail says mechanical failure on a wagon is most likely to blame for the derailment of a freight train carrying dangerous goods north of Brisbane.

Eight cars of the 29 wagon QR National freight train derailed just north of Petrie railway station at 10.05am (AEST) yesterday.

It was initially hoped they could be cleared today but QR passenger services group general manager Andy Taylor said overnight checks revealed the situation was worse than first expected, and services could not resume until Friday.

Mr Taylor said specialist engineers were called to the derailment today to check if a breached container, which was carrying ammonium nitrate solution, was safe to move.

"However, there was no spillage and the container is now being transported back to the products supplier by a police and fire brigade escort as per the standard dangerous good management process," he said.

The checks also found extensive damage to rail tracks and overhead lines.

"We aim to restore services in time for the peak morning rush (on Friday) but ultimately this depends on the progress of the clean-up and repair efforts," Mr Taylor said.

Diesel trains will travel through the area from tomorrow morning but the electric Citytrains could not resume until overhead wires were fully repaired, he said.

Mr Taylor said a full investigation into how the train derailed would provide answers in a few weeks' time.

But early investigations had ruled out driver error and suggested a mechanical fault on a wagon was to blame.

The derailment will continue to affect passenger trains and long distance Traveltrain services with buses to run from Strathpine to all stations north to Gympie today.

From tomorrow, buses will run between Lawnton and Narangba and between Caboolture to Nambour and Gympie.

Passengers are being asked to make alternative arrangements if possible.

AAP

[ozbob]

Latest, from QR Citytrain


SERVICE DISRUPTIONS   THURSDAY 13/12/2007.

Due to the derailment at Petrie QR is still experiencing service disruptions on the CABOOLTURE / NAMBOUR line.

Buses will be operating between NARANGBA and LAWNTON in both directions.

Passengers from NAMBOUR will be conveyed by bus to LAWNTON with a connecting train service to the city.

Delays of up to 45 minutes can be expected.

For further enquiries please call Translink on 13 12 30 or contact QR Passenger Services on 07 3606 5555.

QR apologies for these changes to your normal service and appreciate your patience as we work to minimise these disruptions.

[ozbob]

From Courier mail click here!

Dangerous cargo in suburbia

Dangerous cargo in suburbia
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Robyn Ironside and Steven Wardill

December 12, 2007 11:00pm

AN explosive and dangerous chemical is being routinely freighted through Brisbane suburbs on the same tracks as the passenger rail network.

The revelation came as Queensland Rail admitted a derailment on Tuesday would continue to create chaos for tens of thousands of train passengers and motorists until tomorrow.

More than 20 charter buses made up to 160 trips between Narangba and Lawnton yesterday because the accident had put Petrie station out of action.

Meanwhile, QR finally confirmed that repair work at Petrie had been delayed because the train that came off the tracks on Tuesday was carrying ammonium nitrate.

The substance, a common fertiliser but also an ingredient used to produce explosives, had to be carefully extracted yesterday and escorted by police and firefighters to a local supplier.

The Caboolture line is now likely to be closed to passenger trains until at least tomorrow's peak morning rush, causing headaches for commuters forced to drive, use special charter buses or find alternative transport.

QR yesterday said it regularly freighted ammonium nitrate as movement of the substance by train was not banned under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

ASIO background checks are required for people who want to own and use ammonium nitrate. There are also strict controls on its importation, sale and storage.

Dangerous goods experts and engineers were brought in to assess the container of liquid ammonium nitrate before it was removed from the site, just metres from houses in Petrie St.

Queensland Rail denied covering up the presence of the substance.

Passenger services general manager Andy Taylor insisted residents were never at risk as nothing had been spilled.

"It's not dangerous unless it escapes and, at the moment, our concern is with safety and the environment and we just have to make absolutely sure the container it's in is stable," he said.

Mr Taylor admitted the situation was worse than first thought, which meant it would take longer to fix.

"As we've got closer we've recognised some damage in the freight and we're just making sure that's removed very carefully," he said outside the deserted Petrie train station yesterday.

"We now feel that passengers really should find alternative transport until Friday," he said.

Sydney University of Technology chemicals expert Dr Harish Patney said ammonium nitrate was "moderately toxic" but could explode on contact with a combustible material such as fuel, ethanol or alcohol.

"It's a fertiliser, but there are restrictions on how much of it can be sold now because it's also used to make explosives," Dr Patney said. "If you come into contact with it, it would cause itchiness and irritation but it's only moderately toxic."

Mechanical failure by a wagon was yesterday identified as the probable cause of the derailment, which Mr Taylor described as "very unusual".

"I don't recognise it (derailment) happening in recent times, certainly not in the metro region," he said.

"It happens in other parts of Australia and indeed country parts of Queensland with freight trains from time to time but certainly it's a possibility that we cater for and that's why we've been fully prepared to get on and handle this as safely and as quickly as possible."

He also thanked passengers for their "incredible" patience. "There would be tens of thousands affected and that's why I am so grateful to the travelling public for their response," he said.

Comment:

Dangerous goods are routinely moved by rail and road through towns, and suburbs.  Fact of life.

See this media release ---> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=341.0



Also what about the Corinda derailment, no official explanations as yet, see --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=181.0

[ozbob]

From Courier mail click here!

Commuter rage over train fiasco

Commuter rage over train fiasco
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Robyn Ironside

December 12, 2007 11:00pm

COMMUTER anger is building as some journeys triple in length because of Tuesday's train derailment.

Some disgruntled train travellers said yesterday they felt like "cattle" as they were herded from train to bus and back again.

Others wished they had taken the car as the crowds at Lawnton station grew.

"I've been all around the place today," said Emma Coutts as she waited to board a bus at Lawnton station to take her to work at Petrie.

"It usually takes about 45 minutes to get to work. Today I left Wooloowin at 6am and I'll be lucky to make it by 8.30am."

At Narangba station, Cooroy's Mary Dorling wished she had taken the car.

"It's a good advertisement for private transport," she said, nodding at the queue to board a charter bus. "It seems to happen every time we take the train."

Australian Traffic Network manager Jay Flood said the morning commute on the Bruce Highway suggested many people did take their car rather than take their chances on the train.

"It was definitely worse than usual. From about a quarter to six to 7.30am it was back past Narangba bumper-to-bumper from the Pine Rivers bridge," Mr Flood said.

The same arrangements will be in place today, with commuters bussed between Lawnton and Narangba and a shuttle train service used from Narangba to Caboolture.

QR's Andy Taylor said diesel trains would travel through the area from tomorrow morning but the electric Citytrains could not resume until overhead wires were fully repaired.

Yesterday afternoon's commute was made even worse for many by storms which slowed the flow of traffic on the roads, increasing the length of the bus journeys.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Rail line should be clear by Friday

Rail line should be clear by Friday
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Neil Hickey

December 13, 2007 12:00pm

THE train line blocked for two days by a freight train derailment should be clear by Friday, in time for the afternoon peak period, Queensland Rail has announced.

QR said today the line north of Brisbane should be cleared by tomorrow morning after the clean-up operation took longer than expected.

The line between Caboolture and Zillmere has been closed for 48 hours since a freight train carrying concrete powder, containing ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser, derailed mid-morning on Tuesday.

Tonnes of powder was strewn across the tracks near Petrie train station when 10 wagons unbuckled during the crash. An investigation is continuing into the cause of the accident.

More than 20 charter buses made up to 160 trips yesterday to ferry affected train commuters to and from work.

"We have been working closely with emergency services and the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure safety and environmental guidelines are met,'' QR general manager Andy Taylor said in a statement.

"We need to clean up the site and remove all debris before track and overhead wire repairs can be done. The track repairs should be completed by tomorrow morning and we are aiming to have the overhead wires repaired by tomorrow afternoon. This timing will continue to depend on the progress overnight and the weather."

Mr Taylor said the repair process was continuing to affect the resumption of freight and Traveltrain services.

"We aim to have diesel-freight services available early tomorrow morning," Mr Taylor said. "Getting these services back up and running will allow us to start clearing the backlog and will also allow the Cairns tilt train to run straight through. Until then the tilt train and other Traveltrain services will continue to be affected."

Passengers for the 12.55pm Sunlander to Cairns will be carried by bus to Gympie North to meet the train. The tilt train service from Rockhampton due to arrive at Roma Street at 2.40pm will terminate at Nambour and passengers will be transferred to Brisbane by bus.

Today's 5pm tilt train service to Bundaberg and tomorrow's 5:15am service from Bundaberg have both been cancelled and will be replaced by buses.

The Spirit of the Outback service due to depart Rockhampton at 8.45pm has been cancelled and passengers will be transferred to Brisbane by bus.