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Maintenance response to recurring track defects in areas with a degraded formation
Date issue released
Issue number
RO-2016-001-SI-03
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue Owner
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
Mode of Transport
Rail
Safety Issue Description

A more stringent maintenance response than that for an isolated track geometry defect was not considered or implemented in accordance with ARTC’s COP. A more stringent maintenance response should have been considered given the degraded formation and the track’s rapid deterioration between 12-14 January 2016, two days prior to the derailment

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2016-001-NSA-013
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 engineering standards
  • Completed reconditioning of the track formation at the incident location at Denman.
ATSB Response

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