Pacific National Derailment Follows 90 km/h Runaway
12.08.2026
AUSTRALIA: A loaded Pacific National coal train derailed at Ardglen Loop in the Upper Hunter less than two weeks after a separate unmanned company train reached 90 km/h.
Six wheels on the lead locomotive left the track while the train was pulling up on Monday, according to Pacific National. All locomotives and wagons remained upright, no crew members were injured and the train was safely secured.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation was notified shortly before midday and worked to clear the line after initial investigations. Rail traffic was temporarily disrupted, with services to the Gunnedah Basin resuming on Tuesday.
Runaway train travelled about 10 kilometres on July 25
During a crew change at Camberwell on July 25, two crew members were outside the locomotive attempting to address a braking-system fault when the fully laden train began moving without them.
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The approximately 10,000-tonne train travelled about 10 kilometres downhill and reached up to 90 km/h before stopping near Glennies Creek at Nundah Bank. One crew member was stranded on the 11th wagon as the train moved, and the network operator issued an emergency warning to other trains. No collision, derailment or injury occurred, but coal and passenger movements were affected for about 36 hours.
After the July event, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator said it had sent rail safety officers, investigators and rolling-stock specialists to the Hunter Valley, issued a Non-Disturbance Notice and sought information and documents from the operator. Pacific National said at the time it would identify any actions required to prevent a recurrence.
Two incidents have different confirmed outcomes
| Incident | Confirmed facts | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Ardglen Loop derailment | Six wheels on the lead locomotive derailed while the loaded coal train was pulling up; no injuries; all locomotives and wagons remained upright. | Gunnedah Basin services resumed Tuesday; the circumstances remain under investigation. |
| July 25 runaway | A fully laden unmanned train travelled about 10 kilometres and reached up to 90 km/h; no collision, derailment or injury occurred. | Coal and passenger movements were affected for about 36 hours; ONRSR announced an investigation. |
No common cause has been established
The latest Ardglen derailment is also under investigation. Pacific National said it had notified ONRSR and other relevant authorities and would consider any findings and recommendations arising from the investigation.
The incidents occurred close together, but no common technical, procedural or organisational cause has been established in the material reviewed for this report. Pacific National said after the runaway that it would identify any actions required to prevent a recurrence; the public material located for this report did not specify what, if any, measures had since been adopted.
The source also records calls from the North Sydney Transport Association for additional crew safeguards and greater transparency after the runaway. Those proposals are advocacy recommendations, not confirmed measures adopted by Pacific National or the regulator.
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