Re: Derailment in WA

[David & Julie Donald <dsjmd@hermes.net.au>]

Here is one version of the situation:

"The transcontinental railway line across Australia has been blocked after a
freight train was wrecked
in an accident, badly damaging the track.

There were no injuries when the freight train with 52 wagons derailed some 190
miles east of Perth.

Australian Railways Group spokesman Len Douglas said 14 wagons shot off the
track and all but
one tipped on to their side.

Repair crews and heavy equipment were being rushed to the area to begin fixing
the line that links
Western Australia with the rest of the country. But rail traffic would be halted
until Sunday, officials
said.

"All freight services have been cancelled until Sunday by when we should have
the line clear of
wagons and the track replaced," Mr Douglas said.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

The accident delayed services on the Indian-Pacific train, which connects Perth
to eastern Australia
and is a major tourist attraction.

Local passenger services between Perth and the mining town of Kalgoorlie were
being maintained by
bussing passengers around the break in the line.

--

Regards

David Donald
Springwood, NSW

dsjmd@hermes.net.au