An investigation is underway into a train separation, and the runaway of 64 wagons between Eastwood and Meadowbank, New South Wales, on 6 July 2025.
At 0433 hours on 6 July 2025, Qube Logistics freight service 1WB7 was travelling north on the Sydney Trains network, when the consist separated at the southern end of Eastwood station. 1WB7 consisted of 3 locomotives hauling 64 wagons loaded with steel products from Port Kembla, NSW to Acacia Ridge in Brisbane, Qld. The separation was a result of a broken knuckle between the hauling locomotives and the leading wagon.
At the time of separation, the train was travelling on a shared network with Sydney Trains passenger services, on a 1:40 uphill gradient. The separated wagons rolled backwards down the main line to Meadowbank station where they came to a standstill. There were no reported injuries.
The investigation scope includes risk controls for train separation and runaway, the condition of rollingstock and braking performance, train operations and emergency response, and gathering any other relevant information.
This investigation is being led 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.
The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. However, 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 and timely safety action can be taken.