Wallan train derailment report released

The preliminary report details information established in the investigation’s early evidence collection phase, including the sequence of events, track information and data downloaded from the train’s data logger.

“ATSB preliminary reports do not contain findings, identify contributing factors or outline safety issues and actions, which will be detailed in an investigation’s final report,” ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood said.

The preliminary report confirms the train, which was travelling from Sydney to Melbourne with six crew, the assisting qualified worker and 153 passengers onboard, entered a passing loop at Wallan at a speed of more than 100 km/h when the speed limit for entering the loop was 15 km/h.

“Earlier that afternoon, the points at either end of the Wallan loop had been changed from their ‘normal’ position to their ‘reverse’ position, which meant rail traffic, in both directions, would be diverted from the main line into the loop track,” Mr Hood said.

“A train notice reflected this change and also specified a 15 km/h speed limit for entry into the loop.”

The train’s data logger showed an emergency brake application was applied a short distance from the points before entering the passing loop.

“This slowed the train a small amount before it entered the turnout travelling at a speed in excess of 100 km/h. 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,” Mr Hood said.

The lead power car rolled on to its left side and the train driver and qualified worker were killed. Three passengers were seriously injured and 36 received minor injuries, while five train crew who were in the passenger cars were also injured.

Mr Hood said the preliminary report noted that due to damaged signalling equipment, a 24 km section of track between Kilmore East and Donnybrook incorporating Wallan was being managed by an ‘alternative safe working system’, and the accompanying qualified worker boarded the lead power car near Kilmore and joined the driver as part of the alternative safe working system.

“The continuing investigation will explore a range of factors, including a detailed examination of the alternative safe working 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.

“An investigation of this nature and complexity may take more than 18 months to complete.

“However, should any safety critical information be discovered at any time during the investigation, we will immediately notify operators and regulators and make that publicly known.”

In a statement, the Victorian Government said it would consider any initial or permanent findings from the various derailment investigations with regards to appropriate speed controls on the ARTC network.

The standard gauge line is operated and maintained by the ARTC, including the Wallan crossing loop.

The North East train line between Melbourne and Albury is leased by the Victorian Government to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and forms part of the Sydney to Melbourne rail corridor.

V/Line services operate on the line under the control of the ARTC. V/Line also operates services through to Seymour and Shepparton on the broad-gauge line which is adjacent to the standard gauge line maintained by ARTC.

State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan welcomed the interim findings and said the report confirmed the rail signaling system at Wallan – used to direct railway traffic along the line – was a contributing factor in the accident, having been damaged by fire earlier that month.

“I commend the steps taken by both the Australian Rail Track Corporation and NSW Trains following the investigation thus far, including improved communication between the two bodies, as well as amendments to current safety procedures,” she said.

“It is also worth noting that the railway signaling on the neighbouring broad-gauge tracks are still being manually operated by V/Line using technology from the 1890s.

“The signaling system for this track is the oldest signaling system in the state, and it is the only stretch of line in Australia that still uses the double line block system – effectively signalers along the line communicating in Morse code.

“This puts signal operators in that section of the track under major pressure, as one human error could have fatal consequences.

“More than a year after the tragedy at Wallan, it beggars belief that the Victorian Government has made no effort to upgrade this antiquated system.”

A Victorian Government spokesperson said the government had assisted the ATSB as part of its investigation into the incident and would continue to do so as required.

“Safety is our number one priority and we will continue to work closely with the Australian Rail Track Corporation to ensure we’re providing a safe and reliable service for our Albury line passengers,” the spokesperson said.

“The Wallan derailment is the worst rail accident we have seen in Victoria in more than 10 years and we want to fully understand why it occurred so we can avoid something like this ever happening again.

“As the ATSB’s report is still ongoing, it isn’t helpful or appropriate to speculate or pre-empt the finding of these investigations.”

To read the preliminary report, visit atsb.gov.au