VLocity 160 - Accidents

Accidents

On 28 April 2006, VLocity Set 29 (consisting of cars 1129 and 1229) was involved in a collision at a level crossing at Trawalla while travelling from Ararat. It collided with a large triaxle road trailer carrying a 16-tonne block of stone and two heavy press machines. The front of the train withstood the impact with the trailer, but the press machines were thrown loose, striking and penetrating the cab. At the time of the impact, three people were in the cab, the driver (who was seriously injured) and two off-duty Pacific National drivers (one of whom was injured, and the other killed). As the train continued through the crossing, the rear trailer swung around and the stone block was thrown off, striking and partially penetrating the side of the leading car (1129), killing the mother of the train driver, who had been travelling as a passenger. The final injury count is unknown. The unit had been in service since only 21 April - seven days before the accident. After the accident, both cars were taken to Newport Workshops for examination. Car 1129 (the leading car in the collision) suffered the most damage, so it was written off. Car 1229, having received relatively minor damage, was sent to Bombardier Dandenong for repairs. It was later renumbered 1241 and marshalled together with new cars 1141 and 1341, and has since re-entered service.

On 5 May 2006, VLocity Set 04 travelling on the 9:38 a.m. service from Melbourne to Ararat collided with a car at the Rockbank level crossing near Melton. Thirty train passengers and the driver of the car were taken to hospital. The level crossing was protected and train services were delayed until 2:30 that afternoon.