At about 0400 on 17 August 2007, the 48th wagon of Australian
Railroad Group iron ore train 6413 derailed on a right-hand curve
in a cutting 595.9 km from Perth in the Stewart to Bonnie Vale
section of the Defined Interstate Rail Network in Western
Australia. Thirty one wagons in total were derailed and 25 of those
wagons were seriously damaged. There were no injuries. The track
sustained significant damage and was closed for 4 days.
Train 6413 consisted of three locomotives and 126 wagons loaded
with iron ore. It was travelling from Koolyanobbing to the port of
Esperance, via Kalgoorlie. Rail traffic in this area includes fast
passenger trains, general interstate freight and iron ore
trains.
Train 6413 had been authorised by train control to pass a signal
that had failed to clear following the passage of the previous
train. Both the train controller and the train crew were aware that
one possible cause of the signal failure was a broken rail.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation
determined that the derailment occurred when a piece of rail
containing a large, previously undetected vertical split head
defect, disintegrated under train 6413. A rail insert that had
recently been used to replace a section of defective rail found
during a routine track inspection probably contained the defect.
Alternatively, it was possible, but less likely, that the parent
rail on either side of the insert may have contained an undetected
vertical split head.
As a result of the investigation, the Australian Transport
Safety Bureau identified a number of safety issues concerning train
operations, record keeping and rail replacement practices.
Rail safety recommendations
[RO-2007-006-SR-008]
[RO-2007-006-SR-009]
