Three crew members escape injury after ballast train derails on Darling Downs

A train carrying three crew members has come off its tracks while travelling between Cambooya and Greenmount, just west of Toowoomba.

A BALLAST train has come off its tracks while travelling between Cambooya and Greenmount.

The accident, which occurred near Watts Siding Rd at 1.35pm yesterday, has caused the closure of the South Western rail line between Cambooya and Greenmount. 

"There were three crew members on board the train, thankfully all three were uninjured," Queensland Rail Head of Regional Jim Benstead said. 

"There have been no impacts to freight operations, however Queensland Rail will continue to liaise with its freight partners should freight services be impacted."

A Queensland Rail team are on the scene of a train derailment near Toowoomba.

Mr Benstead said the train, which consists of two locomotives, 15 loaded ballast wagons and one ballast plough, is reported to be on its side. 

"We understand 10 of the wagons have derailed, with a number reported to be on their side," he said. 

A Cambooya resident, driving along Watts Siding Rd, snapped a photo of the incident this morning, describing the scene as "a mess".

The resident said no roads appeared to be blocked.

A Queensland Rail team is on the scene performing an initial assessment. 

An investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.

Originally published as 'A MESS': Train derails near Toowoomba