NSW Rail Union Raised Safety Concerns Day Before Freight Train Derailment

The New South Wales Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says it raised safety concerns with the operator of a freight train the day before a major derailment.

Five wagons rolled and left the tracks at a level crossing at New Berrima in the NSW Southern Highlands on Saturday.

No-one was injured, however, the incident caused major disruptions to traffic, with Berrima Road closed until the following morning.

Holdco Holdings, which trades as Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR), is the freight train operator contracted to Boral's Berrima cement works, near Moss Vale.

The company's accreditation was suspended on Sunday by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) as a result of the derailment, meaning it cannot operate for six weeks.

RTUB locomotive division secretary Farren Campbell welcomed the regulator's decision to suspend SSR's licence.

He said a meeting between the union and SSR was held at 11am on Friday, about 24 hours before the derailment, to discuss reports from workers of inadequate procedures and training, aging rolling stock and a toxic workplace culture.

"We've resisted the urge to say 'I told you so' with cupped hands, because that's not what it's about," Mr Campbell said.

"It's about making sure we can maintain safety standards of the NSW rail networks. It's about [ensuring] the company at the centre of this isn't able to shift the blame onto workers."

In a statement, the ONRSR said its decision was "not taken lightly", and it was looking at several incidents involving the company and was concerned further safety risks could emerge if action was not taken.

SSR has been contacted for comment.

Not about 'I told you so'

The RTBU said SSR was responsible for 20 per cent of freight movements on the Sydney Trains Network.

It said it was aware of two runaway events involving the company this year, including one in which a worker was forced to board a moving locomotive to bring it to a stop.

Mr Campbell described the union's meeting with SSR as "cordial ... with plans to come back together and continue discussing these issues."

He said other freight companies were picking up the workload of the suspended operator.

"I understand that some of the other freight operators have been able to step in and take up some of these volumes, at least in a short-term arrangement," he said.

Rail line not operating

A Boral spokesperson said it was looking at other ways to transport its product following the suspension of its freight train operator at New Berrima.

They said the suspension did not apply to the rail line itself, which was not currently operating, and that the company was confident it could continue meeting customer demand.

Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick described the derailment at New Berrima as "very bizarre".

"It's very, very bizarre as to how [the train] stacked up like that. It integrates with our public road, so I've had a few people reach out who were very concerned."