In the world of Steam Preservation and Heritage Railways serious derailments are something not often thought about. The need for robust safety systems and staff training are just as important as any large commercial railway.
On the 25th January 1996, Zig Zag suffered its first major incident involving a passenger train. Fortunately, no one was injured and the lessons learnt from that day enabled the railway to improve it's safety systems and crew training.
This video, compiled by ZZR member Trevor Ashby, chronicles the rerailing exercise undertaken by Zig Zag members with assistance from the State Rail Authority NSW Breakdown Gang (Lithgow).
Getting 1072 back on to the tracks and effecting repairs to the permanent way continued into the night. The following morning after recertification of the track by the Department of Transport, services resumed on the railway for Australia Day.