Three train drivers have avoided serious injuries in a major train derailment on the Mount Isa line at Oonoomurra yard.
The site, which is just East of Cloncurry, saw a collision between two third-party operated freight trains at 6:38am on 17 August.
One locomotive was on its side after it collided with the rear of another stationary train, causing damage to its last wagon.
One of the trains was empty while the other was carrying zinc concentrate.
As a result, Inlander services were cancelled from 17 to 18 August, and replaced with road coaches, affecting 55 customers.
As of Friday 19 August, Queensland Rail announced that the Mount Isa line between Oonoomurra and Cloncurry had partially reopened to rail traffic following the derailment.
The first freight train passed through on 19 August, with Queensland Rail Inlander services resuming the following day (Saturday 20 August), as scheduled.
Thanks to the efforts of Queensland Rail crews in collaboration with the relevant third-party operators, crews were able to complete the removal of all remaining wagons and commence repairs to the track and electrical equipment.
Recovery works continued over the weekend to enable a full resumption of services.
Queensland Rail thanked customers, freight partners, and the community for their ongoing patience and assistance as crews continue to work to fully restore the line.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional, Jim Benstead, said, “Safety is the number one priority at Queensland Rail and we will work with safety regulators to investigate the cause of this incident.”
