RAIL infrastructure including 4,350 sleepers were damaged when the wheelset of a wagon of a loaded coal train derailed near Moss Vale in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.
A report from the bureau said the incident was due to so-called “fatigue cracking”.
A coal train, consisting of three locomotives and 45 wagons, had departed Tahmoor Colliery for Port Kembla in June last year.
As the train approached the Suttor Road level crossing, a wagon’s axle bearing journal separated from the rest of the axle, resulting in a wagon wheel derailing.
A transport safety investigation into the incident conducted on behalf of the ATSB by the New South Wales Office of Transport Safety Investigations.
There was no evidence to suggest that the actions of the train crew contributed to the derailment.
“This investigation highlights the need for rolling stock operators and maintainers to ensure that axle maintenance and inspection procedures include non-destructive testing of known defect areas are as part of their regular maintenance program,” said OTSI CEO and chief investigator Mick Quinn.
“Records of these inspections also need to be kept within their asset management system for the life of the asset.”
