Uncontrolled runaway and derailment of banking locomotives – Rail Occurrence Investigation (Defined), RO-2020-008

On the evening of 3 June 2020, two Aurizon banking locomotives assisted a loaded coal train,
WH512, up the Ardglen bank in the Hunter Region of New South Wales (NSW). On completion of
the banking assist at Ardglen yard, the train crew prepared the lead locomotive 5031 to become
the trailing locomotive, then transferred to locomotive 5034.

The two banking locomotives started to move while the train crew were walking from 5031 to the train crew boarded 5034 and attempted to take control of the locomotives without success. As the locomotives rolled back down the Ardglen bank, the train crew attempted to stop the locomotives with a series of brake applications. The locomotives reached speeds of up to 114 km/h before derailing and overturning on their side and coming to rest 13 m apart.

The train crew sustained minor injuries in the crash and were able to exit the cabin. The
locomotives were significantly damaged and approximately 100 m of rail track was also damaged