At approximately 1031 on Friday 30 January 2009, freight train
5PS6, operated by Pacific National (PN), derailed near Golden
Ridge, about 43 km east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The two
locomotives, the crew van and 18 wagons (including 7 multiple
platform freight wagons) derailed.
There were only minor injuries to the train crew as a result of
the derailment. However, there was significant damage to the
derailed rolling stock and about 200 m of track was
destroyed.
The investigation determined that heavy rainfall to the east of
Golden Ridge on the morning of 30 January 2009 led to localised
flash flooding which damaged the track formation and ballast,
resulting in the derailment of train 5PS6. A number of minor safety
issues were identified during the investigation and have been
brought to the attention of the track manager and train operator.
Those issues relate to track drainage, identification of severe
weather events, availability of hand-held communication devices and
escape from the damaged locomotive cabin. The train operator has
taken or proposed safety action in relation to train evacuation and
communication issues. In addition, the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau has issued three safety advisory notices to the track
owner.
The ARTC Code of Practice, with respect to Flooding, 'ETG-10-01', does not specify hydrological design parameters, including height of water ponding against the formation layer for a design precipitation event, and this could lead to under specified track drainage arrangements and an increased risk of track damage arising from flash flood events.
Safety Advisory Notice
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the Australian Rail Track Corporation should consider the implications of this safety issue and take action where considered appropriate.
The ARTC had not undertaken an audit of track drainage arrangements for the Trans-Australian Railway to verify that the track complied with the relevant standard and that the standard was appropriate.
Safety advisory notice
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the Australian Rail Track Corporation should consider the implications of this safety issue and take action where considered appropriate.
At the time of the derailment the ARTC did not have timely access to reliable weather information and may benefit by building closer relationships with the Bureau of Meteorology and local observers (councils, farmers, etc.) who could pass information to assist them with the identification of localised severe weather events that may potentially affect the safety of their track.
Safety advisory notice
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the Australian Rail Track Corporation should consider the implications of this safety issue and take action where considered appropriate.