Emergency brake was applied shortly before Wallan rail crash but train was still speeding
The emergency brake had been applied on a train before it derailed and killed its train and pilot near Wallan — but it was still travelling more than five times the speed limit on the fatal section of track.
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A train that derailed in February and killed two people had its emergency brake applied shortly before the crash, but still hit the fatal section of track 85kmh above the speed limit.
The preliminary investigation into the Sydney-Melbourne train incident, which occurred at Wallan north of Melbourne on February 20, shows that the section of track where the train derailed should have been approached at 15kmh.
That section of track — called a passing loop — was being used because signalling works had put the main line out of commission but the change had only been introduced on the afternoon of the crash, which claimed the lives of driver John Kennedy and pilot Sam Meintanis.
As the train neared the crash site, it was travelling at close to the 130kmh limit allowed on the regional line if no speed restrictions were in place.
Then, according to the report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, something changed.
“Recordings from the train indicate an Emergency brake application a short distance before the points,” it says.
“This slowed the train a small amount before it entered the turnout travelling at a speed in excess of 100 kmh. The train was not able to negotiate the turnout to the loop track at this speed and derailed. All vehicles derailed excepting the rear power car.”
ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood said the agency’s preliminary reports “do not contain findings, identify contributing factors or outline safety issues and actions”.
“(These) will be detailed in an investigation’s final report,” Mr Hood said.
“The continuing investigation will explore a range of factors, including a detailed examination of the alternative safeworking systems; the operation of the train; the conditions of the track and rolling stock; and crew and passenger survivability including a passenger survey,” Mr Hood said.
The report shows that when the lead power car rolled onto its left side, the XPT driver and pilot sustained fatal injuries.
“Three passengers were seriously injured and 36 received minor injuries, while five train crew who were in the passenger cars also sustained injuries,” it says.
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