ALL LINES came to a dramatic holt after a freight train collided with a truck at the Grandchester railway crossing on Tuesday, November 23.
Queensland Rail’s Jim Benstead said that at approximately 9.05am, a Watco freight train collided with a truck at the Laidley Road level crossing in Grandchester.
“Thankfully, emergency services arrived on site shortly after the incident and no injuries were reported,” he said.
“The level crossing was blocked to road traffic by the [police] who were redirecting motorists.”
The Western Rail Line was closed until 4:35pm between Rosewood and Laidley. there was no impact on passenger services, but four freight trains were delayed.
“The Laidley Road level crossing is equipped with active protection in the form of flashing lights, which were in operation at the time of the incident,” Mr Benstead reported.
“The vehicle involved was not a Queensland Rail owned or operated truck, but was a private contractor.”
Paul Hamersley from Watco Australia said that incidents involving rail and road vehicles at level crossings “are unfortunately all too common, particularly in regional areas where train operations are seasonal”.
“All road users, particularly those operating large trucks or high and wide machinery, need to be extra vigilant when crossing a railway line,” he said.
“This is to ensure that there is sufficient time to stop at a level crossing or sufficient stacking distance between a rail line and a road intersection.
“The track section speed is 50 kilometres per hour and it is understood that the train was travelling around 30 kilometres per hour when it struck the vehicle.”
