The Australian Rail Track Corporation has built a 300 metre track deviation on the Trans-Australian Railway near Rawlinna, Western Australia, after a Pacific National freight train derailed on Thursday morning, April 21.
The ARTC re-opened the line on Monday afternoon after crews worked over the ANZAC long weekend to build a deviation around damaged track on the line.
Around 11.15am Western Standard Time on April 21, a Perth-bound freight train derailed on the railway, which is part of the east-west line connecting Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
One crew member, travelling in the crew car, sustained facial lacerations and was given medical treatment, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, whose safety inspectors quarantined and investigated the site after the incident.
According to the Bureau’s initial summary, the train’s two locomotives, crew van and six of its wagons derailed, coming to a rest on their sides.
The train was Pacific National 3MP5, according to the ATSB.
Other freight trains were stowed at various locations along the rail network while crews worked to build the new deviation.
By Friday, April 22, the ARTC had mobilised heavy earthmoving equipment and other materials to the site to build the deviation.
“While the derailment site is in a remote location, ballast supplies have been arranged and rail and sleepers available locally will be used to repair the track,” a spokesperson said.
The rail line was progressively returned to service from 2pm WST on Monday afternoon.