Freight train derails near Marmor between Rockhampton and Gladstone

Aurizon has revealed the scope of repairs ahead following a derailment south of Rockhampton, with thousands of concrete sleepers needing to be laid and kilometres of rail needing to be replaced. All the latest info.

The scope of repairs to the extensive damage caused to a crucial part of the Queensland railway corridor has been revealed following a derailment south of Rockhampton on Sunday night.

Rail operator Aurizon has said it will be another week before the rail corridor reopens following the incident, as workers begin clearing and repairing the site.

Weather permitting the line is expected to reopen on February 9.

Emergency services, including Queensland Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, rushed to the derailment at Marmor at 7.20pm on Sunday.

Residents nearby said they heard a “big bang” and saw a plume of dust around the time the incident happened.

Shortly after the derailment, a 500m exclusion zone was put in place.

A reporter near the scene said the exclusion zone stretched to the Bruce Highway, starting about the BP Marmor when approaching on the highway from the north.

Queensland Police tweeted on Sunday night that the Bruce Highway was blocked near the Marmor service station, with the road reopening later that night.

A train derailed at Marmor south of Rockhampton on Sunday night.

Investigations into how the incident occurred began on Monday with the site being released back to the operator, Aurizon, on Tuesday afternoon so repairs and recovery could begin.

Part of the extensive repairs will include replacing 2000 concrete sleepers, replacing 2km of rail, laying down 2300 tonnes of ballast, replacing at least 12 electrical masts and the replacement of 1.5km each of four types of overhead wire.

“Recovery work is underway, including the removal of damaged rollingstock, repair of overhead power and electrical masts, and the restoration of the track infrastructure,” an Aurizon spokesman said.

“Rail crews together with external contractors have been mobilised to work 24/7 on the recovery, ensuring the work is delivered safely and within all fatigue requirements.

Aurizon workers were on scene on Monday morning after a freight train derailed at Marmor south of Rockhampton.

“On the current scope of work, Aurizon estimates the track will be re-open to trail traffic by Thursday, February 9. This is subject to weather conditions allowing recovery work to continue unimpeded and any other unforeseen damage/issues emerging through the recovery process.

“Aurizon continues to liaise with customers on the delivery of the recovery works.”

The continued closure of the rail corridor means coal transports cannot get to the port at Gladstone.

A spokesman for Gladstone Ports Corporation said the company was working with Aurizon to understand the “full impacts” of the incident.

“Gladstone Ports Corporation are working with Aurizon and their customers to understand the full impacts from the incident that occurred on Sunday January 29, 2023,” the spokesman said.

“GPC remain committed to delivering for the communities in which they operate and the state of Queensland.”

A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said some of the train components involved in the derailment would undergo further analysis in Brisbane.

“After deploying on Monday to the site of Sunday night’s derailment at Marmor, Queensland, ATSB investigators released the site to the track operator on Tuesday afternoon,” the spokesman said.

“Along with evidence gathered from on-site activities, investigators placed protection orders on several train components, which will be further analysed at engineering facilities in Brisbane.”

Earlier this week an Aurizon spokesman said the rail corridor between Rockhampton and Gladstone would be closed to all rail traffic until recovery and repairs were complete.

Investigations will continue as work begins to clear and repair the derailment site at the Bills Rd rail crossing.

“The rail corridor between Gladstone and Rockhampton, which is part of Aurizon’s Central Queensland Coal Network, was closed to all rail traffic (coal, freight and passenger trains),” the spokesman said.

“This time frame is subject to further assessment once rail teams get access to the site.”

Following the incident both Aurizon and Pacific National confirmed neither of their drivers were injured in the incident.

“The incident is currently being investigated by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator,” the Pacific National spokesman said.

“When access to the site is permitted, Pacific National will be able to determine when services will be resumed.”

Earlier this week ATSB Chief Executive Angus Mitchell said investigations would likely continue after investigators had been on-site.

Some of the train components will undergo further analysis in Brisbane.

“Once on site, investigators will examine the railway infrastructure and rollingstock in-situ, documenting evidence and removing any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s facilities in Canberra,” he said.

“Likely further investigation activities will include interviewing the drivers, operations staff and any witnesses, reviewing operator procedures, analysing any recorded information, and examining relevant components.

“The scope of the investigation and its time frame will be determined as the ATSB builds its understanding of the nature of the event.

“Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”

Queensland Rail Travel trains have also been impacted by the derailment with a number of travellers having to be bussed to trains leaving from different areas.

Impacted travellers are encouraged to check the Queensland Rail Travel website for service updates.

Originally published as Freight train derails near Marmor between Rockhampton and Gladstone