At about 0618 on Thursday 25 November 2010, freight train (4DA2)
operated by FreightLink Pty Ltd derailed on the Central-Australia
Railway line, near the 826 km mark, about 5 km south of
Cadney Park in South Australia.
There were no injuries as a result of the derailment but there
was significant damage to rolling-stock and about 300 m of
track required replacement.
The investigation determined that a severe weather event, very
strong winds associated with thunderstorm activity, were of a
sufficient magnitude to initiate the rollover and subsequent
derailment of a group of lightly loaded double-stacked container
wagons.
A number of minor safety issues were identified as a result of
the investigation and have been brought to the attention of Genesee
& Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd (GWA). These issues primarily
relate to the wind effect on lightly loaded/high vehicles
(particularly double-stacked containers) and the identification of
and response to severe weather events.