Train Derailments.....
Blackwood
21/10/02
Blackwood
Early 1960s?
There is a public transport and interstate freight / transport rail lines joining Adelaide to Melbourne in Victoria which passes through our area only a few hundred metres from our fire station. These rail lines carry both large numbers of people and large amounts of goods including harardous materials via steep winding lines. The gradient is very steep for trains in some areas and we have 2 long tunnels in use. The original rail line was built in 1883 and a section in Eden Hills rerouted slightly in 1927 replacing 2 other tunnels and removing 2 viaducts.
Freight Train Derailment at Blackwood 21/10/02
This derailment blocked both interstate and local passenger and freight services for 2 days. The train travelling from Melbourne to Perth, via Adelaide, was fully loaded as it was approaching Adelaide. Luckily the highly dangerous chemicals being transported on this train were further back from the damaged cars and therefore not spilled. It was also extremely fortunate that no injuries occurred and that houses adjacent to the rail line were not damaged.
(photographer Dale Thompson)
click image to see full-size version
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Train Derailment at Blackwood 1960's?
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