A coal train has derailed in the Hunter Valley along the Sandy Hollow rail line with as many as six laden wagons coming off the rails.
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The derailment occurred near Baerami, west of Denman, early on Wednesday morning. No one was injured.
The train was returning from Moolarben coal mine, north-east of Mudgee.
Pacific National has confirmed it was one of its trains involved.
“At approximately 3.30am on 6 February 2019 a Pacific National coal train derailed at Baerami with the last six wagons coming off the tracks,” a Pacific National spokesperson said.
“The regulator is currently on-site assessing the situation with the removal of the wagons and repairs to the track expected to commence after assessments have been completed, later today.
“Services west of Mount Pleasant will be impacted while this work is carried out.”
Australian Rail Track Corporation said it was still waiting for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to commence an investigation.
“The incident has been reported to independent transport safety investigators and the incident site is currently quarantined awaiting for their arrival,” an ARTC spokesperson said.
“There is track damage that will need to be repaired with early recovery and repair planning initiated.
“The full extent of the damage will be known once the site is released to ARTC and the train and wagons are removed from the site.”
The incident is expected to cause significant delays for the busy Mudgee-Newcastle coal route.