Arabic version: قطار شحن فحم منفلت في وادي هنتر يثير تحقيقاً في سلامة السكك الحديدية

According to ABC News, a fully laden Pacific National coal train rolled downhill without a crew during a crew change at Camberwell in the NSW Hunter Valley in the early hours of Saturday. The train travelled several kilometres before stopping near a level crossing at Glennies Creek. The ABC understands it reached speeds in excess of 60 kilometres per hour, and no-one was injured.

The incident occurred between Singleton and Muswellbrook and has raised questions over how the train was able to move without anyone on board. University of Sydney senior lecturer in Transport Management Geoffrey Clifton said runaway trains were quite rare outside a maintenance setting and described one as the “worst-case scenario” on the rail network.

Dr Clifton said the issue could involve braking power, with possible explanations including brake failure or brakes not being applied properly. Coal trains have a brake on each carriage connected to one control system, he said. Australian Rail Track Corporation documents show Pacific National coal trains on the Hunter Valley line typically run between 1.296 and 1.541 kilometres and have 82 to 96 wagons.

The unstaffed train passed through at least one level crossing. Steve Muscat, a director and principal engineer at Rail Confidence, said automated boom gates would have been activated by electrical track signals. Dr Clifton said a natural incline in the track was likely to have brought the train to a stop.

The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator has deployed rail safety officers, investigators and rolling stock specialists to inspect the scene and seek information and documentation from the operator. Pacific National said it was taking the incident “extremely seriously” but would not comment on the cause while investigations continue. Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Jeff Drayton said it remained unclear whether human or mechanical error, or both, was involved.