This investigation, undertaken by OTSI under a Collaboration Agreement with the ATSB, was discontinued.
What happened
At 0347 (AEDT) on Tuesday 19 November 2019, at Picton NSW, the driver of a Qube freight train 3112 was checking on a report of a wheel defect on the fifth axle of the third locomotive in the train consist.
The possible defect was previously detected by the trackside inspection system at Exeter and the driver stopped 3112 at Burradoo to safely inspect the train. No defect was found.
The driver subsequently stopped the train on the mainline at Picton and disembarked in order to conduct a second inspection of the train. A Pacific National freight train passing on the adjacent line came within two metres of the driver of 3112.
Discontinuation
Given the acknowledged individual action taken by the driver of the Qube train 3112, and based on a review of the available evidence, it was considered unlikely that further investigation would identify any systemic safety issues.
Click on the button for more details of the investigation and discontinuation.