Back to top
Shear key installation
Date issue released
Issue number
RO-2016-001-SI-01
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue Owner
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
Mode of Transport
Rail
Safety Issue Description

The shear key was not installed in accordance with the geotechnical engineer’s specification with respect to the following:

a) It did not include a cross-drain.

b) Its width was less than the specified width.

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2016-001-NSA-011
Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Since the derailment of train WG713, ARTC has:

  • Completed a review of its civil and track standards and reinforced the importance of drainage in areas with a degraded formation to its track and civil staff
  • Completed reconditioning of the track formation at the incident location in Denman.
ATSB Response

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau notes the response provided and is satisfied with the action taken by ARTC.