RO-2026-104 Passenger train disabled in tunnel, near Springfield, 30 May 2026

The Commission is investigating an incident involving the disablement of a passenger train in a tunnel. The reported circumstances were that Train 803, the Christchurch to Greymouth service, was travelling through Tunnel 9 on the Midland Line about 10km north of Springfield, when it stopped, unable to proceed. Reportedly it remained in the tunnel for about an hour and then exited. None of the crew or the 103 passengers were reported to be harmed.