Updated: 28 February 2020

The investigation into the circumstances that led to the Pacific National grain train 5KC3 passing a series of signals passed at danger near Wagga Wagga, NSW on 1 March 2019 is continuing.

The report from the investigation is currently in the ‘Examination and analysis’ phase. During this phase, evidence is reviewed and evaluated to determine its relevance, validity, credibility and relationship to other evidence and to the occurrence.

ATSB investigators have so far gathered and analysed numerous information sources including:

• Signalling system reports and logs
• Recorded audio exchanges between the Network Control Officer and train crews
• Post-incident signal sighting reports
• Interviews with the crews involved
• Meetings with the various rollingstock operators involved directly and indirectly in this occurrence
• Independent review of the report from the involved rollingstock operator including circumstances prior to and immediately post-occurrence
• Independent review of the crew shift patterns in place by the rollingstock operator at the time of the occurrence.

Initial summary: 1 March 2019

The ATSB is investigating the circumstances that led to the Pacific National grain train 5KC3 passing a series of signals passed at danger near Wagga Wagga, NSW on 1 March 2019.

This investigation is being led by the New South Wales Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI). OTSI conducts rail investigations in NSW on behalf of the ATSB under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

At 0505 AEDT, grain train 5KC3 travelling in the up direction passed signal 04-26 at danger. The train continued for approximately 1 km and passed signals 04-32 and 04-30 at danger. Train 5KC3 came to a halt after the Australian Rail Track Corporation Junee train controller advised the crew that they had passed the signals at danger. Train 5KC3 came to a halt approximately 3 km from train 5BM9 which was travelling in the down direction on the same line.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will obtain details from both rolling stock operators as well as the infrastructure manager including but not limited to confirmation of signal aspect operation, train driver interviews and other factors which may have contributed to the incident.

A final report will be released at the end of the investigation.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue.