A piece of the Big Northern Railway line, connecting Queensland’s North West Minerals Province with the drift, was once shut down as of late after the 2nd prepare derailment in correct over a month.
Key components:
- Three employees have walked away with no most most necessary accidents after two freight trains crashed
- The incident occurred on the Big Northern Railway near Cloncurry
- There might be challenge for driver safety as mining companies switch bulk ore exports onto street trains
A freight prepare was once rear-ended by one other on the tracks at Oonoomurra, 130 kilometres east of Mount Isa, at 6.38am.
Three employees occupied with the collision walked away from the scene without most most necessary accidents.
Mining broad Glencore, which operates Mount Isa Mines within the region, confirmed its zinc merchandise had been on-board.
Queensland Hearth and Emergency Companies and products contained a gasoline spill and minor product spill, Queensland Rail acknowledged in a commentary.
It was once the 2nd derailment since July when the tune was once closed for approximately 10 days after an incident near Julia Creek broken 9 kilometres of tune.
Freight forced on to Flinders Highway
The rail line supplied a well-known arterial hall for the export of minerals, sophisticated metals and cattle.
The Inlander passenger prepare also ran frequent companies between Mount Isa and Townsville.
With the line closed, mining operators grew to became to street trains to freight merchandise by the expend of the Flinders Highway.
Treagar MP Robbie Katter acknowledged he was once concerned by an lengthen of autos on the tainted stretch of street.
“It be an extra special safety challenge,” Mr Katter acknowledged.
“There’ll most likely be tonnes of bulk ore on that street which ought to be on the tracks.”
He acknowledged the Flinders Highway was once already identified for its slim shoulders and unhealthy stipulations.
“Now you is most likely to be at the side of extra quantity within the earn of street trains and autos,” he acknowledged.
“It be a mammoth safety challenge for our drivers and residents and tourists.”
A contentious historical previous
There had been several derailments alongside the line through the years with most most necessary repairs wanted after the 2019 floods.
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Mr Katter acknowledged he had lobbied the declare govt for increased investment within the upkeep of the rail line.
“We had a bear when, in 2016, the declare govt announced an investment of $25 million into the rail line to interchange 41 kilometres of metal sleepers with concrete between Richmond and Julia Creek,” he acknowledged.
The government had also promised an additional $379 million in capital upgrades and upkeep to be delivered over the subsequent five years.
“There are components with the integrity of the line,” Mr Katter acknowledged.
He acknowledged driver competency was once also an challenge.
“There might be been a preference of unique operators through the years and there might be a practicing facility for drivers near Cloncurry,” he acknowledged.
“If you happen to have bought unique operators who’re determined for drivers there might maybe simply be an challenge with competency.”
Queensland Rail confirmed it had launched an investigation into the reason for the rupture.