On Thursday 20 January 2005, at about 0744, UK 3083, the eighth wagon on Train 237, an Auckland to Wellington express freight service, derailed as the train passed through the north end of Hunterville on the North Island Main Trunk. The train travelled a further 1100 m until the derailed wagon struck the curved closer rail at the south end points at Hunterville, derailing 3 other wagons and uncoupling the air brake system, which brought the train to a stop.
There were no injuries.
The safety issue identified was the compatibility of current track and mechanical tolerances.
The Commission made safety recommendations to the Chief Executive Officers of Toll NZ Consolidated Limited and ONTRACK as a result of Rail Occurrence Report 03-114, relating to a previous similar derailment. Those recommendations are equally applicable to this occurrence, so no new safety recommendations have been made.
