NSW: Investigation into signalling bungle under way

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-1999
NSW: Investigation into signalling bungle under way

A New South Wales rail body is investigating why the Indian Pacific disappeared off
Sydney's rail network signalling system twice yesterday.

The probe follows yesterday's announcement by State Rail that it's appointed an international
rail safety expert to examine the network's recent problems and safety systems.

The Rail Access Corporation says the Indian Pacific disappeared from the network monitors
for several seconds on two occasions yesterday.

The Indian Pacific was also involved in a fatal crash earlier this month when an intercity
train rammed its back carriage near Glenbrook Station in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

Seven people including a five-year-old boy were killed in the accident.

Yesterday, thousands of commuters were forced to abandon train travel after a suburban
service derailed during peak hour.

State Rail says British rail safety expert ANDY WATERS will examine yesterday's derailment,
the Glenbrook accident and two incidents involving the mis-direction of trains at Blacktown
and Waverton last week.

AAP RTV sal/tsm/smf/rt

KEYWORD: TRAIN (SYDNEY)

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