Report finds runaway coal train reached 90km/h on 20-kilometre journey

Runaway train only stopped after rolling backwards for 5km through Hunter Valley Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 3:29pm In short: A runaway coal train had no-one on board as it travelled 20 kilometres through the Hunter Valley on July 25. An interim probe has found it reached speeds of up to 90 kilometres an hour as 96 wagons hurtled along the track. What's next? A final report will be tabled in the NSW parliament. An interim report into a runaway coal train incident in the Hunter Valley has found the three locomotives and 96 wagons reached speeds well over the safe limit, and only came to a halt after rolling backwards for 5 kilometres. The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) has released its Interim Factual Statement into the incident, which took place on July 25. It found the Pacific National train had "runaway approximately 20km (kilometres) on the Up Main Northern rail line". Stopped by hill "The runaway train started at Newdell Junction reaching speeds up to 90km/h before rolling to a stop on the uphill grade near Camberwell Junction," the report stated. "The train then started rolling back for 5km and rolled to a stop between Middle Folbrook Rd level crossing and Glennies Creek Rd level crossing." The safe operating speed for a loaded coal train is generally 60km/h. The report found there was damage to rolling stock and minor damage to the track. Probe looking at brakes and crew OTSI said its investigation would look at "locomotive and wagon specifications and braking systems … along with data loggers and CCTV". Investigators will also review "the actions of the train crew and organisational processes for responding to train brake faults". Operating procedures and maintenance systems, audio recording systems and network incident response systems will also be looked at. Risks examined The chief investigator has assigned an investigator in charge (IIC) to find out how and why the train ran away, and "determine whether the incident might have been anticipated". Coal haul operator Pacific National previously released a statement saying it was co-operating with investigators. "Safety is Pacific National's highest priority," it said. "We take this incident extremely seriously and are fully cooperating with the regulator and all relevant authorities to understand exactly what occurred and identify any actions required to prevent a recurrence." OTSI said the final report would be provided to the minister for tabling in both Houses of the NSW parliament in accordance with section 46D of the Passenger Transport Act 1990.