AN INVESTIGATION is underway into how a wagon on a freight train came to make contact with the platform at the town of Dungog, New South Wales.
According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, on 16 June this year a freight train on its way to Port Kembla from Brisbane.
While passing through Dungog station, workers nearby reported a wagon made contact with the platform.
Dungog is a sleepy town of around 2000 people, possibly best known for being the hometown of former Aussie cricketer Doug Walters.
Information about the wagon was communicated to the train driver and the train was diverted in to the loop at Wallarobba.
An inspection of the train found the platform on the 35th wagon was detached and resting on the bogie bolster.
The train consisted of three locomotives and a rake of 53 wagons with 24 empty wagons in front of wagon and nine empty wagons behind in the consist.
Damage was reported on platforms not only at Dungog but also at Grafton and Taree, suspected to be a result of the out-of-gauge wagon.
An ATSB investigation is being undertaken by officers from the NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations.
Investigators have started collecting evidence from parties. A final report is to be published at the end of the investigation.
