June 30, 2026 — 3:58pmThe cause of a train crash that closed part of the rail network for almost two weeks in regional Queensland has been revealed as a wagon axle failure.A freight train derailed near Marmor, south of Rockhampton, and a coal train travelling in the opposite direction crashed into a shipping container and narrowly avoided other wreckage on January 29, 2023.A coal train struck a shipping container lying across the tracks after a freight train derailed in 2023.ATSBBoth trains were damaged but no one was injured. The rail network was affected for almost two weeks.An axle in the freight train’s sixth wagon fractured, and the eight rear wagons separated and derailed, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau revealed in a report on Tuesday. The wagons piled up at a level crossing.That train’s driver was unaware of this, but noticed something was amiss before seeing sparks in his mirrors. He braked as a result, and the front section of the train stopped about 1.3 kilometres from the wagons.The driver of the coal train saw the dust from the incident and applied the emergency brakes. That train then crashed into a shipping container that was still attached to the freight train’s front section and was across the tracks.The coal train stopped before reaching the wreckage at the level crossing.“The fatigue crack very likely initiated from impact damage to the axle surface at some time before the accident,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.The specific axle design on the freight train – operated by Pacific National – was found to be at greater risk of failure than another design and has since been phased out by the company.“Importantly, the investigation found the operator’s risk controls before the accident did not provide the best opportunity to address axle damage capable of initiating a crack, or to ensure axles with growing cracks were removed from service,” Mitchell said.The ATSB found the operator had not ensured risk management activities, including the use of risk registers and training, were performed in accordance with documented procedure.Pacific National has since taken measures to resolve these issues, the ATSB said.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.More:Queensland RailRailRockhamptonTraffic incidentRoad safetyTrainsFrom our partners