The Cowan rail disaster occured on 6th June 1990 when a special passenger train hauled by steam locomotive 3801 failed while attempting to climb the steep gradient from the Hawkesbury River to Cowan, New South Wales, Australia. This article is about trains in rail transport. ... The Hawkesbury River is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. ... Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ...
The engine had applied plenty of sand onto the rails in an attempt to get a grip. The sand insulated the Track circuits causing the stationary signal behind the train to show green for a following train, resulting in a collision and the loss of several lives. A track circuit is a simple electric device to detect the presence of trains on the track, which can be used to inform the signalmen, and to control the relevant signals. ...
Contributing factors include:
Old style AC track circuits which were insensitive.
No indication of track circuit to any signal box which might have alerted signalman on a short term or long term basis to any "shunting" problem caused by sand.
It is believed that one of the handbrakes on the special track had been applied as a stunt.
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