The reporter has raised safety concerns in relation to the poor condition of a section of main line track on the [State] [Region].
The reporter states, 'I have serious concerns of the mainline track condition and poor track surface that span from the [x] km peg ([Location 1]) to [xx] km peg ([Location 2]) approximately 40 km in length'. This section of track is maintained and managed by [Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM)] and there are a significant amount of train driver concerns that have been reported through the [RIM] Network Control Centre. The poor condition of the track is endangering the safety of railway operations increasing the risk of a freight or passenger train derailment.
The reporter identifies the two main concerns as:
- Freight trains - rough riding that causes load shifts.
- Passenger trains - passenger and staff injuries with falls inside the train due to the unstable track surface conditions. Passengers and staff travelling on trains such as the [Train 1] or [Train 2] travelling up to [xxx] km/hr are at major risk of a fall from being constantly tossed around the carriages while the train is travelling across this section of track. The risk is further increased as this section of track is potentially toward the end of a long journey with many passengers moving about the cabin to stretch their legs and use the bathroom facilities and so on.
The reporter states, when drivers report track defects to the Network Controller, the [RIM] Control Centre should generate a report and then advise the relevant civil maintenance teams to attend to the reported defect area. Drivers however are continually receiving verbal feedback reports advising that 'the track is fit for service'. All that is required to remedy this issue is track resurfacing (tamping and regulating) and this matter will be resolved, however [RIM] is saying that they have nil funding for these works. The reporter further states, members of [RIM] management have travelled this section of track in the train cab and advise the track condition 'meets minimum specifications'.
The reporter strongly advises a blanket temporary speed restriction of 60 km/hr be implemented until track resurfacing works have been completed across this section of concern to mitigate the risk to passenger and crew safety.
The reporter finally states, train drivers have submitted multiple reports to [RIM] over the past four years however no action has been taken to ensure trains can operate safely within this section of the interstate rail network.
In response to the safety concern regarding the poor condition of a section of main line track on [State] [Region] that forms part of [Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM)]'s defined interstate rail network, [RIM] provides the following information.
- [RIM] has invested significant funding to improve the rail network from the [State] [Region] to [Location 1] in [State].
- [RIM] infrastructure workers categorise infrastructure defect condition based on criteria provided in [RIM] [Standards] that determines the safe speed restriction based on the defect condition level. Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSR) are used to limit train speeds to maintain a safe service on the [RIM] rail network. TSR’s are imposed until [RIM] can plan and deliver repairs and maintenance to the affected areas of infrastructure while still maintaining a safe service.
- [RIM] performs regular condition monitoring of its track infrastructure via [track geometry and monitoring] equipped rolling stock.
- Currently in the section of track identified in this REPCON report [RIM] have 3 geometry defects identified and managed by the [RIM] [Standards]. Based on these defect condition levels, there are no TSRs in this section.
- [RIM] maintains an asset management plan for the entire network. Works completed in the section of track identified in this REPCON report since 2020 include undercutting, ballasting, rerailing and tamping works.
- [RIM] will respond to all driver reports of 'rough rides' including a mandatory site inspection by a competent person.
ONRSR confirms receipt of ATSB REPCON report number RR2024-00030, regarding concerns with conditions on a section of track.
ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and operator's response. ONRSR is undertaking regulatory activities on the Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) that manages the section of track outlined in the report. This includes a focus on the RIM’s management of the inspection, maintenance and repair of their track infrastructure, the competencies of rail safety workers who inspect, maintain and repair track and civil assets and the RIM’s management of geotechnical aspects of the rail corridor.
In [Month] [year], ONRSR conducted a regulatory activity on the RIM’s facility that manages the section of track specified in the REPCON report. The scope of the inspection was:
- compliance with the RIM’s asset management systems and procedures
- compliance with engineering standards and procedures
- records of inspections, testing, preventative maintenance, and reactive repairs
- corrective actions taken in response to any deficiencies identified following audits, investigations, or notifiable occurrences (this included driver reports to Network Control)
- assurance activities related to management of rail infrastructure
- rail safety worker competence and
- physical inspection of track infrastructure.
ONRSR has reviewed notifiable occurrence data reported by the RIM for the section of track and notes the operator’s response in the REPCON indicates the operator will respond to all driver reports of 'rough rides' including a mandatory site inspection by a competent person.
Occurrences that are notifiable to ONRSR by operators are outlined in the ONRSR Guideline, Notifiable Occurrence Reporting Requirements published on ONRSR’s website. Page 19 of the document covers Occurrence Type number 11, Track Irregularity and outlines the various criteria required for either a Category A, B or C Notifiable Occurrence.
It is important rail safety workers continue to report any identified hazards through their operator’s reporting processes for the appropriate party to manage in accordance with their safety management system.