At approximately 2130hrs on Friday 1 April 2011 police attended a train derailment that occurred at Penguin.

On arrival police found that the eastbound Tasrail freight train consisting of three locomotives and approximately twenty carriages had stopped at the eastern junction of Main Street and Crescent Street.

A number of carriages were blocking traffic at that location. After further inspection it was found that the front locomotive had jumped off of the rails as it passed the rear of the old service station on Main Road. The railway crossing lights continued to activate clearly warning motorists of the obstruction.

Tasrail Operations were contacted and additional staff attended and the operational portion of the train was disconnected from the front locomotive allowing it to be shunted back and “parked” on the track which runs alongside Crescent Street. Traffic was then able to flow normally.

It is envisaged that Tasrail will re-attend during daylight hours to organise removal of the locomotive and any repairs needed to the track. There were no injuries or damage to any property as a result of the incident.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296