Australia’s rail safety regulator is investigating a fully laden Pacific National coal train that travelled several kilometres unmanned through the Hunter Valley on 25 July 2026.

Hunter Valley Runaway Coal Train Investigated
The incident stopped coal and passenger train movements for 36 hours. (ABC Upper Hunter: Courtney Yeandle) www.abc.net.au

Loaded train moved during a crew change

According to ABC’s reporting⁠, the train began rolling independently downhill shortly after midnight at Camberwell, between Singleton and Muswellbrook, during a crew change. It travelled several kilometres without anyone aboard, passed through level crossings and stopped near Glennies Creek.

ABC reported that the train exceeded the safe operating speed of 60 kilometres per hour. Pacific National confirmed that one of its coal services was involved during the early hours of 25 July, but it did not answer specific questions about how the train became unmanned or what speed it reached.

The operator said no crew members or members of the public were injured. There was no collision or derailment. Pacific National immediately notified network control at the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which leases the Hunter Valley Coal Rail Network⁠, as well as the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

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ONRSR preserves the scene and seeks records

ONRSR deployed rail safety officers, investigators and rolling-stock specialists to the Hunter Valley. It also issued a Non-Disturbance Notice to preserve the scene and began seeking information and documents from Pacific National.

ONRSR’s published safety guidance⁠ defines a runaway as a train or rolling stock moving on or onto a running line without control. The guidance identifies a range of possible organisational, equipment, environmental and individual factors, but no cause has been established in this incident.

Services resume after a 36-hour interruption

The incident stopped coal and passenger movements for 36 hours. ARTC said a locomotive sustained significant wheel damage, although the train did not derail.

The line was cleared shortly after midday on Sunday, allowing coal and passenger services to resume while the regulatory investigation continues.

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