The ATSB has determined that the derailment of a freight train on the Defined Interstate Rail Network near Seymour was due to a wagon coupler that fell onto the track and became caught under a trailing wagon.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final report on the investigation of the derailment that occurred near Seymour in Victoria on 12 September 2006.

The train derailed at 0520 while travelling from Griffith NSW to Melbourne and was loaded with food products for export.

The coupler, connecting the seventh and eighth wagons in the train, became dislodged when the draft key holding the coupler in position, slid out following the failure of a locking pin. There have been a number of similar failures involving this type of wagon coupler in the past.

The wagon owner has taken safety action to prevent recurrence of this failure by commencing a rectification programme to fit modified draft key components that meet Association of American Railroad standards.

The ATSB has recommended that all wagons fitted with the modified components be regularly monitored to ensure that the modification is effective.

Copies of the report can be downloaded from the ATSB's internet site

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