15-07-2025
Train derailment disruptions continue in Melbourne as last carriage removed from tracks
The final carriage of a derailed train that has shut down services for tens of thousands of Melbourne commuters has been removed from the tracks, but services are still not expected to return to the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines until Monday.
Five carriages came off the tracks when a train carrying 55 passengers derailed as it approached Clifton Hill station, on the north-eastern edge of Melbourne's CBD, on Sunday night.
The driver safely brought the train to a stop and no one was injured.
But the incident caused substantial damage to the rails and overhead equipment and wiring.
All train services to Melbourne's north-east and parts of the north have been suspended.
Metro Trains on Tuesday apologised to commuters but said any decision on compensation would not be made until the end of the month, when punctuality and reliability data would be assessed according to normal contract arrangements with the state government.
Replacement buses will continue to operate all week.
A significant recovery operation has been underway since Monday and the last of the carriages was lifted off the tracks overnight.
That work required a partial closure of the busy Hoddle Street thoroughfare.
It has now fully reopened.
A Metro Trains spokesperson on Wednesday morning said re-wiring and other overhead works would now take place ahead of track repairs.
The works have been described as significant and would require testing and recommissioning of the line, which was expected to take place on Sunday.
The cause of the derailment was still unknown but Metro said it did not believe it was related to recent maintenance works.
