RO-1999-115

At about 1345 hours on Saturday, 26 June 1999, a vintage steam train operated by the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway was on a scheduled passenger trip from Opua to Kawakawa when the track spread and the locomotive and the following two carriages derailed at low speed. No injuries to the crew or passengers resulted. Safety issues identified included the standard of track maintenance and the adequacy of the track inspection. Two safety recommendations were made to the operator, and two to the Director of the Land Transport Safety Authority to address the safety issues.