Metrail investigators at the intersection of Racecourse Road and Railway Avenue, Pakenham, where a runaway train ended up after rolling about 500 metres from the station yard.
By Paul Dunlop
MYSTERY surrounds a runaway train that rolled about 500 metres before derailing at Pakenham on Tuesday night.
Public transport operators are investigating how the empty passenger train ended up crashing into boom gates at the intersection of Railway Avenue and Racecourse Road.
The incident occurred about 10 pm.
The train was parked on the railway track siding near the station when it rolled east along the line from the yard.
Nobody was injured, although the train crossed Racecourse Road.
Pakenham sergeant Mick Wright said it was fortunate no cars were passing by at the time.
“If a car had come at the wrong time it could have been a different story,” he said.
Sgt Wright and other police remained at the scene for several hours.
Police said it was unknown if the crossing lights and boom gates activated when the train approached.
“Police believe a barricade on the track caused the train to stop, with the end of the back carriage blocking the crossing,” police media officer Marika Fengler said.
The train appeared to have been unoccupied at the time and there was no sign of forced entry, police said.
VicRoads set up traffic diversions in the area until the scene was cleared.
The train was moved back to the siding about 4 am on Wednesday.
Metrail staff were continuing to investigate at the time of going to press.
