The reporter has raised a safety concern in relation to severe vibrations and shaking experienced by passengers on a [Location 1] to [Location 2] [Operator] train.
The reporter states, they were travelling on an [Operator] train from [Location 1] to [Location 2] on [date] at approximately [time] local. Midway along the train, in car number [xxxx], the reporter experienced severe bouncing up and down like it was running on a badly corrugated dirt road. This persisted for at least several kilometres between [Location 3] and [Location 4] and beyond. The reporter further states, the vibrations and shaking started on the curves and they were worried the carriage might leave the tracks. The shaking also persisted to a lesser degree on the straight sections.
The reporter finally states, 'I feel this is a potentially serious safety issue if the wheels or rails have become so damaged to the extent that allows such severe vibrations to occur as it could lead to further sudden catastrophic failure inside an inaccessible tunnel. Please address this concern and advise whether the matters have been resolved so that the vibrations are mitigated to safe levels which do not endanger (or appear to endanger) safe and comfortable operations.'
The reporter advised they have reported this concern on the [Operator] website and as yet have not received an acknowledgement.
[Operator] would like to inform ATSB that we are aware of wheel-rail interface issues, and we are actively working to address these issues. As part of our response, [Operator] has previously engaged [University] for an optimised wheel and rail interface. We have successfully completed stages 1 and 2 of the initial study, including the implementation of new wheel and rail profiles based on the recommendations provided in [University] report.
We are currently in the process of engaging [University] for stage 3, which will focus on verifying the effectiveness of the preceding stages. This phase will also assess necessary modifications to the rail profile or maintenance program, and/or any additional recommendations if deemed necessary.
Please find below relevant information which we believe addresses the referenced REPCON.
We confirm that [train xx] (mentioned in the letter) was within maintenance tolerances when this was reported and posed no safety concerns.
- The reported car number [xxxx] belongs to [Manufacturer] [train xx].
- [Train xx] has been passed through the [equipment monitoring system] and can confirm all wheel data is within range. (Data table supplied to the ATSB and ONRSR).
- Wheels are reprofiled on all [trains] at 125,000 kms, with [train xx] currently at ~92,000 kms.
[Operator] continues to monitor and closely manage the wheel-rail interface.
ONRSR confirms receipt of ATSB REPCON report number RR2024-00028 regarding passengers reporting rough riding on a section on track on a passenger train network. ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and operator’s response.
ONRSR is aware of this issue through previous regulatory interactions with the operator and based on available evidence, the matter was determined to be a ride comfort issue rather than a safety issue. ONRSR is monitoring the operator’s management of this issue, and the information provided in this REPCON will be considered in the planning of a future regulatory activity focused on asset management and the wheel-rail interface.