Below are photos supplied by the Bowen Independent Newspaper, courtesy of Steven Darwen, and Photographer Betty Douglas.
The collision occurred at 0610 (6.10am) on Sunday 3rd September, 2001. All crew escaped shaken but generally unhurt.
The loaded coal train enroute to Abbot Point Bulk Coal Terminal, appears to have passed through red lights, and impacted with a stationary empty coal train, waiting at a red signal for clearance. The trains were impacted at approx 40kph with both impacting locos in bad shape, the third's damage is not known at this time. The damage/ derailments occurred to the unloaded stationary train with some 3 wagons to be written off immediately, and others to be checked. The stationary loco was shunted with it's train some 300 metres backwards. with the loco's rear being lifted approximately a metre in the air, and coming to rest upon the front of a wagon.
The loaded train was recovered by two locos bought in from Pring depot. A recovery crane was bought in from Airlie Beach to assist a local crane. The line was reopened approximately 0400 (4am) Monday. Some 60 sleepers were replaced due to the accident.
Investigations are underway.
