NGR train derailed at Wulkuraka

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Derailment at Wulkuraka involving NGR test train

UPDATED:

TRANSPORT Minister Jackie Trad has pledged to make the findings of an investigation into yesterday's New Generation Rollingstock train derailment public.

The National Safety Regulator and Queensland Rail have launched a full investigation into exactly why the NGR train came off the tracks while being shunted at the Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre in Ipswich.

Emergency services were called to the Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre in Ipswich on Thursday afternoon, after the train derailed as it was being shunted by staff of the train's manufacturer, Bombardier.

There were no passengers on board the train, which is still undergoing tests before being put into operation.

Speaking to ABC Brisbane this morning, Ms Trad said she wanted to reassure Queenslanders that the NGR train involved had not been "provisionally accepted" by the Queensland Government.

Ms Trad said two NGR trains had been provisionally accepted by the Government to date.

The number is far from the approximately 15 trains the Deputy Premier said needed to be on the tracks for the Commonwealth Games but Ms Trad told the ABC there would not be "chaos".

"I can guarantee you that there won't be chaos, there will be thorough planning that is undertaken," she said.

It comes after she last night confirmed that a "full investigation" into the incident was under way.

" ... Ms Trad said two NGR trains had been provisionally accepted by the Government to date. ... "

[Stillwater]

It's like extracting teeth.   

Good to know the government will be open about the shunting incident.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> LATEST: New details emerge on cause of train derailment

THE unit pulling the train that derailed at Wulkuraka is believed to have caused yesterday's derailment.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad fronted the media this morning to offer the latest information on the incident which unfolded about 4.30pm.

Only two Bombardier staff were on board at the time.

They did not suffer any physical injuries, although the driver was treated for shock at the scene.

The train was damaged and three carriages were lifted off the tracks.

The derailment caused a stir because the train was one of the New Generation Rollingstock units, which have faced a wide range of criticism including delayed rollout and failure to meet Queensland standards, regarding disability access.

Two separate investigations have been launched into the incident; one is being undertaken by Queensland Rail while the independent National Transport and Safety Authority will carry out another.

Ms Trad said preliminary information suggested the derailment was not directly related to the NGR's performance.

Instead, the incident was believed to have been caused by the shunter itself, or by human error.

"I am advised it was the shunter that came off the tracks, in the first instance and the new train followed," Ms Trad said.

"... but let's allow a full investigation to take place."

The delayed rollout of the NGR trains, commissioned by the previous State Government, has been an ongoing headache for this Labor government.

Ms Trad today faced criticism over whether or not the new passenger trains, frequently being tested along the Ipswich lines, would be accepted for service in time for the Commonwealth Games.

She said the government was working through the 480 issues first identified, which have now been reduced to 20 issues.

It is hoped at least two NGR passenger trains will be in service before the end of the year.

The NGR train involved in yesterday's incident has not yet been accepted into service by the Queensland Government.

[bretto82]

This is 715 sitting on the catch points

[ozbob]

^  no doubt about it ...

Thanks for the photograph.

[Cazza]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/145216

What about track repair at Wulkuraka? 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/921287209256337413

[ozbob]

[JimmyP]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/145216

What about track repair at Wulkuraka? 

It doesn't have anything to do with the main line at Wulkuraka, so no disruption to any regular services.

[ozbob]

That screen grab above shows very clearly the details:



Shunt vehicle on side immediately after the catch points, NGR 715 carries on with momentum and stops with 3rd car on the points.  Lead two cars off the rails. The NGR probably pushed the shunt vehicle over as momentum carried it through, albeit off the rails.

[Derwan]

It's crazy how the media runs with their own ill-informed version.

What Jackie said: "I am advised it was the shunter that came off the tracks, in the first instance and the new train followed."

This is a correct statement, however in the media, we get reports of the shunter causing the derailment - or the shunter "pulling" the train off the tracks, which is completely wrong.

If the shunter hadn't been there (or had been at the other end of the train), the train still would've gone off the tracks.

[#Metro]

Catch Points - Explanation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_points

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_10_24_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail, Derailment

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (10.56 am): On Thursday 19 October 2017 at approximately 4.20pm, a
New Generation Rollingstock or NGR train and shunting tractor derailed near Wulkuraka maintenance
centre. At the time of the incident, the NGR train was being towed by the shunting tractor on the access
line at the eastern end of the Wulkuraka maintenance centre. This access line is used exclusively by
Bombardier to facilitate NGR train movements in, out and around Wulkuraka separately from the main
Queensland Rail network. I can report that, thankfully, the two Bombardier staff involved in the incident
were not injured.

The NGR train, shunting tractor and section of the access line where the incident occurred are
now undergoing a full investigation and assessment to determine the cause of the incident. However,
early indications are that the incident was not caused by the NGR train. An investigation into the incident
is underway and the findings will be released in due course. While the investigations are carried out,
testing and commissioning of the NGR trains continues. The access line at the western end of the
Wulkuraka maintenance centre remains in operation and is facilitating all NGR train movements in and
out of the centre to the network.

Safety is always our No. 1 priority. No train will ever operate on our network that does not meet
our standards. I would like to be 100 per cent clear and reiterate that the train involved in the incident,
the MU15, is not one of the NGR trains that has completed the testing regime or been accepted to date
by the government. The Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail and Bombardier
continue to work together to ensure that NGR trains will enter passenger service without compromising
safety as soon as possible and in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

[red dragin]

The report into the matter will be made public due to the ATSB being the rail safety regulator in Queensland now.

ONRSR is the regulator, ATSB does the dirty work.

Interestingly, nothing on the ATSB reporting website about the incident. Normally appear a few days after the occurrence for rail (within hours for air)