NSW: Empty freight rail train derails

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2000
NSW: Empty freight rail train derails

A freight rail train has derailed in the north-east of New South Wales.

Two of the 49 empty wagons, being pulled by two locomotives, came off the rails at
12.45am (AEST) on the main north line near Blandford, north west of Newcastle.

The train was on its way to Emerald Hill in the north west to pick up a cargo of grain
when the carriages derailed.

A crane and special equipment are at the site to remove the wagons and re-rail them.

The line is expected to re-open by noon and freight trains services are expected to
re-start by 3.30pm.

A spokeswoman for Freight Corp says no passengers services have been disrupted but
a number of freight trains have been held up.

No-one was injured.





The derailment comes as the New South Wales government considers broadening the terms
of reference of the Glenbrook train disaster inquiry to include wider rail system concerns.

This derailment is the latest in a series from NSW train lines since seven people died
in the collision between the Indian Pacific and a commuter train in the NSW Blue Mountains
on December 2 last year.

AAP RTV jx/arb/jn

KEYWORD: FREIGHT (SYDNEY)

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