Robertson, May 19th, 1998

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This is the only accident on this page involving a fatality. My deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends and workmates of the two drivers involved. The train they were driving was 1BY4 Brisbane to Whyalla Steel Train headed by NR3, NR26 and NR57. At 05:30 in the pouring rain and heavy fog, the abutments of a recently replaced road overbridge collapsed onto the tracks. The leading locomotive derailed onto its side and the roof was ripped off by the abutments of the new bridge. The train then pushed the locomotive into a mound of mud before coming to a rest. All photos were taken the following day on May 20th, 1998.
A view of the abutment that collapsed from the opposite side of the track.	A view of the abutment that collapsed looking west with NR26 in the background.	A view of the abutment that collapsed from on top of the abutment.
A view of the concrete slab that fell onto the tracks and was crushed. Looking East with NR57 in the background.	A view of the concrete slab that fell onto the tracks and was crushed. Looking West with NR26 in the background.	Rerailing operations are commencing on NR26. The concrete slab on the right is part of the collapsed abutment.
The emergency crews work at re-railing NR26. NR3 is in the background.	NR57 and NR26 stand at the impact site.	NR26 is on the left being re-railed. On the right is the roof of the cab of NR3 next to where it struck the abutment of the new bridge.
NR3 showing the damaged cab.	NR3 showing the damaged cab.	NR3 showing the damaged cab.
NR3 from the new bridge looking West with the breakdown train in the background.	The new rail crane on the back of the breakdown train with NR3 in the background.	8171 waits at the accident site with the breakdown train. NR3 and NR26 were later coupled to the back and hauled dead to Enfield.

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