Queensland Rail system failed to alert driver of floodwater on tracks

The driver of a train that derailed north of the Sunshine Coast during February’s big wet was not warned about water over the tracks even though a monitoring station sent an alert to Queensland Rail.

The driver of a train that derailed north of the Sunshine Coast during February’s big wet was not warned about water over the tracks even though a monitoring station sent an alert to Queensland Rail.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s interim report into the February 23 derailment at Traveston found a weather station 200m from the site detected the floodwaters about 40 minutes before the train arrived in the area, with the information sent to Queensland Rail.

ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Michael Walker said that the Queensland Rail asset management protection system then failed to warn operational staff before the Aurizon freight train derailed.

“This meant the network control officer and train driver were not alerted that floodwater had overtopped the track ahead of the train.”

Two locomotives and four wagons of the Aurizon freight train derailed at Traveston on February 23. Picture: Supplied.

The train’s two locomotives and four wagons derailed, causing significant damage, and minor injuries to the driver.

Queensland Rail Head of South East Queensland Scott Riedel said measures had been put in place to make sure it didn’t happen again.

“The safety of the Queensland Rail network is our number one priority, and we will continue to work with the ATSB to improve network operations moving forward,” he said.

Such measures include reviewing alarm management and operational documents, asset protection systems and implementing environmental management system alarms to provide relevant notifications to the correct people.

Dr Walker welcomed QR’s actions and said investigations into the distribution of weather-related warnings and alarm messages generated by the system would continue.

Procedures and training for drivers will also be reviewed for identifying and managing weather events, and exiting a locomotive cab in an emergency.

“Investigators will also look into the training provided to network control staff and the maintenance inspections of cross track drainage systems at Traveston,” Dr Walker added.