Robust restraint systems are required to protect the against movement of loads during transport, the safety report into a 2018 Victorian passenger train accident has recommended.
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A V/Line train driver was forced to apply emergency brakes after spotting a 16-tonne coil of steel that had dropped from a freight train onto the tracks near Winton, damaging and obstructing both tracks.
The train hit the tail of the jumbo coil and damaged track at more than 110km/h, but did not derail and suffered only minor damage, with no passengers injured.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau director Dr Stuart Godley said the investigation report, released on Thursday, highlighted the importance of robust load restraint systems.
"Should heavy loads like jumbo coils fall from train wagons they pose a significant risk to the safety of passengers and train crew of other rail vehicles," Dr Godley said.
He added that load restraint systems should include assessments and documentation that demonstrate appropriate load cases, design requirements, operational and loading requirements have been met.
The V/Line driver alerted the Australian Rail Track Corporation train control they had hit the coil and it applied signal blocks to both tracks.
The ARTC also requested the freight train stop so the drivers could investigate.
They found a coil missing from the 35th wagon and damage to 39 trailing wagons to varying degrees, meaning the freight train was unable to continue without repair.
The V/Line train only sustained superficial damage and continued its journey without incident.
The steel products, loaded onto the freight train by Bluescope Steel, were being transported from Wollongong to Melbourne.
The train had been inspected, no issues were reported and the drivers were unaware the load had fallen.
Australian Associated Press
