‘Dangerous’ theory behind train derailment disaster
A new theory has emerged as to what caused a horrifying train derailment at Wallan that left two people dead, while an investigation is set to be launched into the tragic incident.
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Investigators will probe a theory that live signal testing was being conducted when a train derailed, killing its two drivers.
The Sunday Herald Sun has been told such activity could have confused driver John Kennedy, 54, and his 49-year-old pilot who were at the helm of the Sydney to Melbourne XPT locomotive.
Both died when the train derailed at Wallan on Thursday night.
A senior source within V/Line, which also runs on the corridor but wasn’t the operator of the train which derailed, told the Sunday Herald Sun it no longer conducted live signalling.
The source branded it “too dangerous”.
The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, which oversees rail safety, would not speculate on the possible causes of the derailment which also injured 11 passengers.
“Our rail safety officers along with track, rolling stock and signalling engineers are focusing their investigation on the safety procedures and systems that the rail operator and track maintainers have in place and ultimately whether there has been any breach of the safety duties they have under Australia’s Rail Safety National Law,’’ a spokesman said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau today released the XPT engine and carriages to owner Sydney Trains for retrieval.
Investigators will also look into how fast the Melbourne-bound service was travelling and the track’s maintenance history.
The train data logger, which records details including speed and position, had been recovered.
The NSW TrainLink Regional service was required to use a “passing loop” with a 15kmh limit because of maintenance on the main line.
Signalling systems in the area had been offline after a fire at the signalling hut at Wallan earlier this month.
Passenger Warren Williams told the Sunday Herald Sun the train seemed to be travelling at about 100kmh in the lead up to the crash.
Mr Williams, 74, was thrown from his seat in the third passenger carriage.
He said earlier in the journey the train was delayed at a signal for about 30 minutes.
“When the train settled after the crash I made my way to the nearest door and climbed down to the tracks,” Mr Williams said.
“The first thing that I noticed was that in front of the crash there was a straight stretch of line for more than the eye could see to Melbourne.
“Behind the scene there was a long stretch of straight line also.”
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The Australian Rail Track Corporation has regained control of the track.
“We are providing full support to the ongoing investigation which will look at all potential factors,’’ it said.
“It is very important that we don’t prejudice the independent safety investigations taking place so we won’t be commenting on possible causes at this time.”