Cairns Tilt Train derailment
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| Date | 15 November 2004 |
|---|---|
| Time | 11:55 pm |
| Location |
Berajondo, Queensland 342 km (213 mi) NNW from Brisbane |
| Country | Australia |
| Rail line | North Coast railway line |
| Operator | QR Traveltrain |
| Type of incident | Derailment |
| Cause | Excessive speed |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Passengers | 157 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injuries | 157, 2 serious |
The Cairns Tilt Train derailment occurred at 11:55 pm on 15 November 2004 when the City of Townsville diesel tilt train derailed north of Berajondo, approximately 342 km (213 mi) northwest of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.
The prima facie cause of the incident was excessive speed; the train was travelling at 112 km/h (70 mph) when it derailed at the beginning of a curve with a speed limit of 60 km/h (37 mph). Despite the seriousness of the incident, there were no fatalities.
Following from the successful introduction of the two electric tilting trains between Brisbane and Rockhampton in 1998, the City of Cairns and City of Townsville diesel tilt trains were introduced on 15 June 2003 between Brisbane and Cairns. As only a third of the North Coast railway line from Brisbane to Cairns is electrified, the two diesel trains were required to further major destinations such as Townsville and Cairns.
Originally to be called "The Tropical Explorer" with a colourful tropical livery reflecting "the sun, blue sky, beach and palms", the name was soon quietly dropped and instead called the "Cairns Tilt Train" similar to its earlier electric version, with a simple, plain yellow and maroon striped livery along its stainless steel body.
The trains operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h (99 mph) and consist of two 1,350 kW (1,810 hp) push-pull diesel engines at each end (four engines per train), six sitting cars, and one Club Car with a trolley service delivering meals to seats. There is 2+1 Business Class seating throughout the train with an individual entertainment system of multiple movie and audio channels.
The trains are fitted with a data logger, manufactured by the Finnish company EKE Electronics Ltd., that records information about the vehicle and track, maintenance data, and the speed and operation of the train. This information was retrieved from the unit and used by investigators in determining the cause of the incident.
Using the experience of its many years of railway operations, QR developed a series of methods to reduce the risk of accident to its tilt trains. The train was under the protection of:
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