A major freight corridor in the New South Wales Upper Hunter has been thrown into chaos after a coal train derailed, marking the second serious incident for rail operator Pacific National in less than a month.

Emergency services and rail workers were called to the Ardglen Loop, a vital stretch of track connecting the Upper Hunter and Tamworth, following reports of a derailment just before midday on Monday. The incident has forced the temporary closure of the line, disrupting freight movements across the region.

Lead Wheel Derails at Ardglen

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) confirmed it was notified of the derailment on Monday morning. According to initial reports, the lead wheel assembly, or bogie, of the Pacific National coal train slipped off the tracks at Ardglen.

Pacific National quickly moved to secure the train and confirmed that, fortunately, no crew members were injured in the incident. "The incident occurred on the Ardglen loop and has resulted in disruption to rail traffic through the area," a company spokesperson said. "The train has been secured and our teams are responding to the incident."

A Track Record of Concern

This latest disruption comes at a highly sensitive time for Pacific National. Just three weeks ago, on July 25, the operator was thrust into the spotlight when an unmanned runaway train traveled driverless for 20 kilometers, reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

An interim safety report into the July incident revealed that three locomotives and 96 loaded wagons surged well over safe speed limits before rolling backward for five kilometers and finally coming to a halt. The terrifying near-miss raised urgent questions about rail safety protocols in the region.

Regulators Step In

The site of Monday's derailment has been preserved as investigators from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) prepare to conduct a thorough forensic examination of the track and rolling stock.

The incident also follows a recent move by ONRSR to tighten guidelines on reporting requirements for rail transport operators, emphasizing that any "notifiable occurrence"—defined as any accident or incident associated with railway operations—must be reported to the watchdog immediately.

Local industry stakeholders are now calling for a comprehensive review of the line's safety standards, amid fears that recurring freight incidents could severely impact the regional economy and pose risks to local communities.