Round-the-clock repair efforts are on track to reopen the critical Trans-Australian rail line by Saturday night, following a major freight train derailment that severed a key supply route to Western Australia.
Repair Crews Battle Elements to Restore Critical Link
The disruption began on Tuesday night, when a freight train came off the tracks on the East West rail corridor north of Port Pirie, in South Australia's mid-north region. The incident forced the immediate suspension of all rail services on the vital artery connecting the east coast to the west.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), which manages the network, mobilised crews to work 24/7 on the recovery. Progress was initially hampered by extreme heat earlier in the week, but easing weather conditions allowed teams to accelerate their work.
Major groundwork was completed on Friday and overnight, with sleepers and rail laid. Work continued through Saturday with clipping of the rail, ballast laying, and tamping operations. ARTC estimates the line will reopen on Saturday evening, pending final safety checks and on-site progress.
Nationwide Supply Chains Feel the Impact
The derailment caused significant nationwide freight disruption. All services between Sydney and Perth, Melbourne and Perth, Adelaide and Perth, and Adelaide and Darwin were halted.
The most acute impact was felt in Western Australia, where the flow of groceries and essential goods was significantly interrupted. In response, major supermarkets Coles and Woolworths hired additional trucks to maintain deliveries to the state while the rail link was out of action.
The East West corridor is a lifeline for the national economy, carrying a vast array of freight including food, fuel, and industrial supplies between the eastern seaboard and WA.
Investigation and Calls for Infrastructure Investment
The precise cause of the derailment remains under investigation. ARTC confirmed it is working alongside the train operator and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator to determine what went wrong.
The corporation also extended thanks to Aurizon for providing extra equipment and crews to support the recovery effort.
This incident has sparked renewed calls from industry groups for the Federal Government to increase investment in the nation's vital rail infrastructure, highlighting the fragility of key supply corridors when unexpected failures occur.
An ARTC spokesperson reiterated that safety remains the absolute priority throughout the restoration process and urged the public to stay away from the derailment site.
