Runaway train loaded with iron ore deliberately derailed after travelling 92km with no driver

BHP Billiton has suspended all iron ore rail operations in Western Australia after a runaway freight train with no one on board travelled 92km before it had to be deliberately derailed.

The driver of the BHP-operated train got out to inspect an issue with one of its 268 wagons early yesterday and it took off without him, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau says.

The train was travelling on BHP's Newman to Port Hedland line in the Pilbara region, a remote area.

Experts believe it may have reached speeds of up to 180 km/h.

It was deliberately derailed at a set of points, operated by a control centre, about 119km from Port Hedland.

No one was injured.

“Had it been closer to a built up area another train coming from another area, so many possibilities that are dangers and hazard I’m just glad it happened where it did,” the CFMEU’s Greg Busson said.

BHP's iron ore operations were suspended while the incident was being investigated, a BHP spokeswoman confirmed.

“There will be no loss of production, no loss of production, no loss of ore going to customers overseas because that will be coming out of stockpiles, they may have lost a few locomotives which are very expensive,” mining analyst Tim Treadgold said.

The ATSB, which is also investigating the incident, said the damage to the train was substantial.

In a statement, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said: "The driver alighted from the locomotive to inspect an issue with a wagon. While the driver was outside of the locomotive, the train commenced to run away.

"With no one on board, the train travelled for 92 km before being deliberately derailed at a set of points operated by the control centre, about 119 km from Port Headland (near Turner siding)."