Qld, Calls for inquiry into derailments

[ozbob]

Qld, Calls for inquiry into derailments

The Australian, December 12, 2007 click here!

THE Queensland Coalition has called for an inquiry into a spate of train derailments and accidents.
Eight wagons of a freight train derailed in Brisbane's north yesterday, closing the line between Petrie and Caboolture.

No one was hurt, but commuters will still face delays today, with services north of Petrie replaced by buses.
On Sunday, a freight train derailed about 20 kilometres north of Mackay in central Queensland, and last week, also near Mackay, two rail maintenance workers died.

It is believed the men did not hear an approaching track maintenance machine, which hit them from behind.
Queensland Rail (QR) is investigating the incidents.

Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said an independent inquiry was needed.

"There clearly needs to be a thorough and independent investigation which looks at these three incidents to determine whether or not there is any causal links between them," Mr Nicholls said.

"In speaking to people involved in the rail industry, it has become apparent to me there is mounting concern surrounding the driver's rosters and driver training; especially with regard to driver fatigue.

"We need to make sure our rail workers are receiving the proper support and training so they can do their jobs safely."

QR expects the scene of the latest derailment to be cleared this afternoon.

[Derwan]

I made this comment on the Courier Mail site:

I get worried about the clunks and rattles made by some of the older Citytrains - particularly at speed. Is one of those going to fly off the rails and end up in a mangled mess like this freight train?

While I think safety standards for passenger trains would be a lot higher, we are yet to find out whether it was the train, track or driver at fault.  If it was the track, it may have been lucky that it wasn't a passenger train.

[ozbob]

The Ministers statement ( http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=343.0 ) would seem to suggest a mechanical problem on a wagon.  The passenger trains are regularly checked.  I agree there are some strange clunks and things at times though.   The suburban trains are doing millions of km so timely maintenance is critical of course.

[Derwan]

The Ministers statement ( http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=343.0 ) would seem to suggest a mechanical problem on a wagon.

Yeah - I read that after posting my message.  I got the impression from reports that the engine didn't come off the rails - it was one of the carriages that started it.  If the track was at fault, it'd probably "break" when the heaviest part of the train (i.e. the engine) went over it.  If the train was going too fast, the front would jump off the tracks first (like the Cairns Tilt Train).