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Jul 28, 2023

ATSB finds failing brakes, high speed, wet tracks led to V/Line train crash at Ballarat railway station

A passenger train was travelling at almost 100km/h when it failed to stop and

A passenger train was travelling at almost 100km/h when it failed to stop and smashed through level-crossing gates at Ballarat station on a wet night in 2020, the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) says.

A V/Line passenger train destroyed heritage-style crossing gates at Ballarat station in May, 2020

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau has published its final report into the crash

V/Line has implemented several safety measures since the incident

A passenger was taken to hospital and the train driver and conductor sustained minor injuries in the crash.

The ATSB today released its findings after a long investigation into the crash.

The V/Line train with two passengers on board failed to stop at the station and crashed into closed level-crossing gates at Lydiard Street just after 11.30pm on May 30, 2020.

According to the ATSB report, the Wendouree-bound train hit the gates at up to 97km/h and came to a stop about 640 metres from the station.

The impact of the crash destroyed the level crossing's heritage-style gates and damaged the front and side of the train.

The report found the three-car VLocity diesel train's sanding system was "ineffective in improving wheel-rail adhesion" as the train approached the station.

The system distributes sand on the rails ahead of the driving wheels to improve braking and traction in wet conditions.

The report detailed "slippery rail conditions" prior to the crash due to light rain and windy conditions.

"This substantially reduced the braking performance of train 8185," the report said.

The report concluded that, at the time of the crash, V/Line did not recognise that loss of adhesion between the train's wheels and the rails was a potential risk source.

"There were insufficient risk controls in place to mitigate against a train arriving at Ballarat railway station travelling at excessive speed and being unable to stop."

Since the crash, V/Line has undertaken measures relating to five of the ATSB's safety concerns.

Additional sanders have been added to the middle cars of the three-car trains, with extra operating tests added to the VLocity servicing schedule.

And the train speed limit approaching Ballarat station has been cut from 160km/h to 80km/h.

Boom barrier level crossing protection has also been installed at the Lydiard Street level crossing, while speed monitoring has been implemented at the nearby Humffray Street level crossing to trigger the system in the case of a train travelling too fast.

V/Line CEO Matt Carrick old the ABC the safety of "staff, passengers, and the community" is its "number one priority".

"Following extensive investigations, we have taken steps to help prevent this type of incident from occurring again," he said.

The crash caused Lydiard Street to be closed to traffic for 18 months, affecting local businesses.

At the time of the re-opening, Provincial Hotel owner Simon Coghlan said he was "amazed" at how it "managed to take so long to do so little."

The replica heritage crossing gates destroyed in the crash remain in storage in Wendouree.

It is unclear if they will ever be restored and returned to the station precinct.

V/Line's website says it and the Department of Transport will work with the City of Ballarat, Heritage Victoria and the community to "develop long-term plans that ensure the crossing meets modern safety standards and recognises the heritage of Ballarat's station precinct".