NSW: Thousands of commuters delayed as empty train derails

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-1999
NSW: Thousands of commuters delayed as empty train derails

By Linda Silmalis

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - New South Wales' troubled rail system is to have a safety audit
following today's latest mishap -- the derailment of a Sydney commuter train.

State Rail said it had appointed an international rail safety expert to examine the
incidents and conduct a review of operation safety systems across the network.

British rail safety expert Andy Waters would also review the training and assessment
of operational staff before providing a report to authorities early next year, it said.

"Mr Waters will examine the circumstances leading to today's derailment of an empty
train at Waverton, the Glenbrook accident (Blue Mountains in which seven people died)
and two incidents involving the mis-direction of trains at Blacktown and Waverton last
week," it said in a statement.

Thousands of commuters were forced to abandon train travel today after a suburban service
derailed during peak hour.

North and southbound lines were closed after the empty train dropped off the tracks
at 8.21am between North Sydney station and a holding yard in Lavender Bay.

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KEYWORD: TRAIN NIGHTLEAD

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