Passengers of a train in the Blue Mountains are lucky to have escaped without injury last night after a fire broke out in the last carriage, while a station guard affected by smoke was taken to hospital.
The double-decker passenger train was travelling between Hazelbrook and Lawson when the driver noticed smoke appearing from the roof of the last carriage, Blue Mountains police said.
The driver also observed the rear engine was malfunctioning.
The train was forced to stop at Katoomba after the rear carriage filled with smoke.
About 50 passengers were evacuated from the train, with a dozen of those in the last carriage where the fire broke out.
The fierce blaze was extinguished by fire crews after everyone had been evacuated.
No passengers were injured and the station guard was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
Services on the Blue Mountains lines returned to normal this morning.
Rail workers begin vote on pay deal
The latest train incident comes as Sydney train employees begin voting on a new work agreement offer from the State Government.
The proposed deal includes a 3 per cent pay rise over three years, a one-off payment of $1,000 and seven days domestic violence leave.
It follows a long-running dispute between rail employees and the State Government over working conditions.
The votes will be collected by post and will close in a fortnight's time.
