RO-1994-104 Freight train T849, near collision with track-side machinery, Avoca Canterbury, 9 February 1994

On 9 February 1994, NZRL Train 849, a westbound unlaiden coal train on the Midland Line, encountered a digger obstructing the line on the Avoca Bank, between Staircase and Craigieburn. The crew sighted the digger in time to stop the train safely. The safety issue identified in this investigation is the adequacy of protection rules applicable to track workers.