PN derailment damaged 4 km of interstate track: ARTC

<p>Freight services should resume along the main interstate rail line between Melbourne and Perth early this evening (Tuesday, November 23), the Australian Rail Track Corporation has predicted.</p> <p>Track crews are presently clearing the remaining wreckage from the Sunday morning derailment of a Pacific National train near Glenalta in South Australia that forced the closure of the line.</p> <p>ARTC general manager of operations Denise McMillan said the accident damaged a 4 km-long section of track as well as affecting ballast and trackside infrastructure.</p> <p>"There is a significant amount of damage to signalling," Ms McMillan said.</p> <p>It is now understood that the "point of origin" of the incident was a passing loop at Bel Air, about 4 km out from the Glenalta station, where the train eventually stopped, ARTC said.</p> <p>The track is likely to re-open about 6-7 pm today once short-term repairs to the rails and ballast are completed.</p> <p>The track will operate with low-speed limits and without its conventional signalling until long-term repairs are finished.</p> <p>"There will be an alternative safety system in place," Ms McMillan said.</p> <p>The cause of the accident is still under investigation. </p> <br />