Train service back after fatal crash

The railway line between Townsville and Cairns was reopened on Sunday, four days
after a train hit a garbage truck at a rail level crossing in far north Queensland.
The truck driver, father of two Terry Brown, was killed in the collision on New
Year's Day at Mundoo, near Innisfail.
Investigators removed the train's black box on Friday and will download data to
learn what speed the train had been travelling at and when the emergency brakes were
applied.
An independent investigation into the accident has been launched by Queensland
Transport assisted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Mr Brown's death was the third of its kind in two months, following the deaths of
two tilt train drivers in a level-crossing collision at Cardwell in November.
Miraculously, the driver of the truck in the Cardwell collision received only minor
injuries.
Queensland Rail is waiting for the results of the investigations into the Cardwell
and Mundoo crashes before deciding what action to take to reduce risks at level
crossings.
Traveltrain chief Paul Scurrah said $10 million in funding would be brought forward
to carry out safety recommendations.
Recommendations may include the installation of boom gates, warning lights or rumble
strips at some crossings.
Eight crossings are expected to undergo safety upgrades, but QR has not named the
locations and what measures would be taken.
The 17 carriages of the Sunlander train have been hauled to Cairns, while the
train's two locomotives and baggage car remain at the site but are clear of the
track.
They are under cover and are being guarded by security.