Freight Train Derails After Heavy Rainfall (How far away is death?)
Eleven wagons derailed on a loaded Aurizon freight train while it was traveling over a drainage culvert about 110 km southwest of Townsville, in the early morning of December 30, 2020.
While the derailed locomotive stayed on the track and neither of the crew was injured, damage to the track and rolling stock was substantial, according to the ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau).
The ATSB’s investigation found the wagons derailed after a series of rainfall events the day prior.
“While the rainfall was heavy, the ATSB’s calculations did not indicate it exceeded the design flow of the culvert itself,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr. Stuart Godley said.
“It is therefore likely the pipe’s throughput was restricted.”
Dr. Godley noted the culvert had been cleaned and cleared on December 6, just over three weeks prior to the derailment.
“The throughput restriction could have been due to sinking, debris blocking the pipe, collapse of the pipe itself due to an exceedance of its service life — or a combination of the three,” he said.
The pooing of rainwater on the upstream side of the culvert led to it over-topping the track, which very likely undermined the track infrastructure, such that it could not support the weight of the train early the next morning.
Since the incident, the track owner — Queensland Rail — has significantly improved drainage at the site, with the single 1,050 mm pipe now replaced with three new 900 mm pipes.
Queensland Rail has also had a contractor conduct a hydrology study along the rail line from Stuart, through Hughenden to Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Flynn to Phosphate Hill.
It has also identified a further 44 sites for new and upgraded weather monitoring equipment, and progressed a business case for required capital expenditure.
“To minimize the risk of system inundation and track over-topping, rail infrastructure managers should ensure their drainage systems are fit for purpose, and are clear, open, and in a serviceable condition,” Dr. Godley said.
Content and image credit: ATSB, “Derailment of freight train 9281 Near Charters Towers, Queensland, on 30 December 2020,” Read the full ATSB report: RO-2020-023: Derailment of freight train 9281 Near Charters Towers, Queensland, on 30 December 2020.
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