Safety issue

Safety issue description

The shear key was not installed in accordance with the geotechnical engineer’s specification with respect to the following:

a) It did not include a cross-drain.

b) Its width was less than the specified width.

Issue number RO-2016-001-SI-01
Issue owner Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
Transport function Rail: Infrastructure
Date issue released 25/03/2019

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2016-001-NSA-011
Organisation Australian Rail Track Corporation
Action date 25/03/2019
Action description

Since the derailment of train WG713, ARTC has:

  • Completed a review of its civil and track standards and reinforced the importance of drainage in areas with a degraded formation to its track and civil staff
  • Completed reconditioning of the track formation at the incident location in Denman.
ATSB response

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau notes the response provided and is satisfied with the action taken by ARTC.
Action status Closed