Moment train powerlines hit, causing commuter chaos

Trains have resumed after 11 hours of chaos caused by a trailer hitting overhead power lines. But Brisbane commuters have warned to still expect delays. WATCH THE VIDEO

Trains have resumed in both directions for services between Petrie and Northgate stations after 11 hours of chaos caused by a trailer hitting overhead power lines.

Trains resumed by 4pm but it’s understood there will still be some delays to services through the afternoon peak on Monday as Queensland Rail continues to work through the backlog.

The moment a trailer hits power lines near Carseldine train station.

Pictures: Queensland Rail

It comes after trains on multiple lines were suspended in both directions, with commuters experiencing delays of more than 60 minutes on replacement buses, after a trailer hit overhead powerlines at the Beams Rd level crossing in Carseldine about 5am.

Footage shows the moment the trailer strikes the lines near the Carseldine station, with sparks flying.

No one was seriously injured in the incident.

Debbie Russell was on her walk to work this morning to find the crossing closed and took a detour to Carseldine station to find no services were running.

“There were hundreds of people on the platform. I only had to travel a couple of hundred metres up the road to work, but it did take more time,” Ms Russell said.

She described the scene as chaotic for commuters.

“There were a lot of people who were late and actually who had come from Ipswich and they got stuck because of the trains,” she said.

Commuters fill the platform at Milton during the disruption Monday morning. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie had earlier warned afternoon peak hour commuters travelling north from the city to seek alternative transport.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman had said at about 3pm that train services between Petrie and Northgate stations would resume by about 4.30pm.

“However, there will continue to be delays in services through the afternoon peak as we work through that backlog and rail replacement buses will remain in operation to help complement those rail services,” the spokeswoman said.

“So we’ll have buses and trains to get people home.”

Sparks fly after impact. Picture: Queensland Rail

In an earlier statement, Queensland Rail Head of Corporate Affairs Nev Conway said customers were advised to factor in delays when travelling home this afternoon due to an earlier incident involving an over-height vehicle striking powerlines.

“Just after 5am (Monday 4 November) an over-height truck with a trailer struck the overhead powerline equipment at the Beams Road level crossing in Carseldine,” Mr Conway said.

“To ensure safety, we immediately de-energised the overhead powerlines and suspended rail traffic between Petrie and Northgate stations which impacted customers on the Redcliffe-Peninsula, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines.

“Our crews are onsite working as safely and as quickly as possible to get the lines back up and running for this afternoon’s peak, however residual delays are expected.

“Rail replacement buses have been in operation between Petrie and Northgate stations throughout the day and will continue this afternoon to keep our customers moving.”

Mr Conway added that incidents like this are “avoidable”, urging drivers to be mindful of the height of their vehicles.

“Incidents like this are extremely dangerous and disruptive but are also avoidable,” he said.

“We’re once again urging drivers to know the height of their vehicle and load and to plan their journey in advance.”

The vehicle that struck powerlines, forcing trains to be suspended.

At 2pm a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said train services remained suspended between Petrie and Northgate stations and rail replacement buses were in operation, although there were delays.

“With our buses, we do have delays of up to 30 minutes on the Redcliffe, Sunshine Coast, and Caboolture lines, and some residual delays of up to 15 or 10 to 15 minutes on the other lines,” she said at the time.

Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Sunshine Coast line trains had been suspended in both directions between Northgate and Petrie, with delays of more than 60 minutes at their peak.

Commuters on the line affected experienced significant delays in the hours since, with limited availability on replacement buses and customers were encouraged to seek alternative arrangements where possible.

Commuters at Northgate Station are facing long delays.

“We’re advised at approximately five o’clock this morning, a worker working on the Beams Road over level crossing hit power lines, which has taken out the transportation train system from Petrie,” Mr Bleijie said after the incident.

“It’s a terribly unfortunate accident that occurred this morning.

“Workers are going to try and get that up and running as soon as they can, but it will be a six-to-eight-hour process – at this stage I advise commuters to look for alternative means of getting out of the city in peak hour this afternoon.”

Mr Bleijie said the government was attempting to “urgently” add additional bus services, pending driver availability.

“We’ll do whatever we can to ensure people have alternative access but I would encourage people to keep track of the TransLink website and updates from TransLink,” he said.