Train brakes scrutinised

A PRELIMINARY report has found the emergency brakes of an empty bauxite train that collided with partially loaded wagons near Weipa were “not effective” in avoiding the crash.

According to an investigation being conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, only the locomotive’s independent brake was able to partially slow the train down.

On September 22, the Rio Tinto train was travelling the 19.5km track between Lorim Point and Andoom.

Near the end of the track at Andoom, the driver used the service brake to slow the train for the 25km/h turnout, to no avail.

The driver then applied the locomotive’s dynamic brake and reapplied the service brake for a second time – before resorting to the emergency brake.

At this stage, the train was travelling at 59km/h.

Despite the independent

DAMAGE: A Rio Tinto train collided with a line of wagons at Andoom, near Weipa, in September. brake slowing the train down, the driver was aware a train collision was imminent but was unable to prevent it.

The train then collided with the partially loaded line of wagons at 37km/h.

The locomotive of the moving train, and four empty wagons at the rear of the partiallyloaded group, derailed on impact.

The driver was initially trapped inside the cab but suffered only minor injuries, while the cab was substantially damaged.

The ATSB is yet to find out why the brakes failed on the locomotive and this aspect will form part of a larger investigation that will be conducted at a later date.

They will also look at the crashworthiness of the modular operating cab design, factors associated with the function and use of the train brakes, and further analysis of the train’s event recorder and the operator’s policies, procedures and guidelines.

The preliminary report can be read at www.atsb.gov.au.