Article: Train derailment delays Queensland coal exports

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Train derailment delays Queensland coal exports

Train derailment delays Queensland coal exports
Article from: AAP

Evan Schwarten

April 30, 2008 01:32pm

COAL exports from several central Queensland mines have been delayed after two trains derailed early this morning.

In the first incident, an empty coal train derailed on the southern leg of the Gregory branch line at Harrow Creek around 12.50am (AEST).

Two locomotives, 40 empty wagons and one remote control wagon left the track during the incident, damaging about 1.5 kilometres of overhead wires, track and supporting masts.

Both crew members escaped injury.

The site is expected to take several days to clear and the incident has left two loaded coal trains stranded en route to ports at Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point.

Authorities say a second derailment at a rail depot near Sarina will also have a major impact on freight services.

Around 4.55am today, three wagons jumped the track and derailed at Queensland Rail's Jilalan rail yard, damaging track, points, overhead wire and droppers.

No one was injured in the incident, however the track is not expected to be cleared and reopen for at least 24 hours.

A Queensland Rail spokesman said between 20 and 30 trains could be delayed by the derailment.

The derailments will impact on mines at Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory, German Creek, Foxleigh and Oaky Creek.

"There are five coal mines that feed into the Port of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay. We are looking to see what we can do for those mines... to be able to divert coal to other ports," Queensland Rail Coal North general manager Warren Phillips told ABC Radio.