Runaway events during shunting movements involving freight trains at Clyde, Marulan South and Berrima, New South Wales, between 12 March and 4 July 2026

Summary

A transport safety investigation is underway into three separate runaway incidents involving Southern Shorthaul Railroad trains at Clyde, New South Wales, on 12 March 2026, Marulan South, New South Wales, on 26 May 2026 and Berrima, New South Wales, on 4 July 2026.

On 12 March 2026, a Southern Shorthaul Railroad train was uncoupled during shunting movements at Clyde. Following this, one locomotive and 5 cement wagons have rolled away through a set of points and collided with a Pacific National locomotive.  Several wagons were derailed and all rollingstock sustained some level of damage, with nil injuries.

On 26 May 2026, two locomotives from Southern Shorthaul Railroad train 2273 were uncoupled during a runaround movement at Marulan South, New South Wales. During this process, two locomotives have rolled away whilst the crew were outside the cab. A crew member boarded the locomotives whilst in motion, bringing them to a stand. There were no injuries or damage sustained.

On 4 July 2026, multiple loaded cement wagons from a Southern Shorthaul Railroad train ran away while shunting at Boral Cement Works, Berrima, New South Wales. The consist rolled downhill through the buffer stop and derailed onto a passive level crossing, resulting in significant damage to multiple wagons and spillage of cement. There were no injuries.

The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve interviewing witnesses and involved parties, examination of training and competency of rail safety workers, retrieving and reviewing recorded data, and the collection of other relevant information and related incidents.

This investigation is being undertaken by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI). OTSI conducts rail investigations in NSW under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 in accordance with a collaboration agreement with the ATSB.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, OTSI and the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.