Arabic version: خروج قطار فحم تابع لشركة باسيفيك ناشونال عن السكة في أردغلين
According to ABC News, a Pacific National coal train locomotive derailed at Ardglen Loop in the NSW Upper Hunter, less than two weeks after an unmanned train operated by the company travelled without a driver. The incident occurred just before midday on Monday.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation said it was notified of the incident shortly before midday. It was advised that the lead wheel, or bogie, of the coal train locomotive had derailed at Ardglen Loop, on the freight route between the Upper Hunter and Tamworth. The derailment shut the line through the area.
Pacific National confirmed the incident and said it had disrupted rail traffic. A company spokesperson said there had been no reports of injuries to the train crew, and that the train had been secured while company teams responded at the site.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation said the site had been preserved pending the arrival of investigators from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. The derailment follows the July 25 incident in which three locomotives and 96 wagons travelled for more than 20 kilometres without a driver, reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour. An interim report found the train later rolled backwards for five kilometres before stopping.
