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Politics

QR's problem-plagued Next Generation Rollingstock train derails

An NGR train off the rails at Wulkaraka, west of Brisbane.

One of Queensland Rail's Next Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains has come off the tracks at Ipswich, west of Brisbane.

The wheels of at least one of the carriages jumped the rails, leaving the train stranded on the line.

The incident happened late this afternoon at the Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre.

The State Government said it appeared the derailment was not caused by the train itself.

Queensland Rail inspectors are at the scene of the latest incident.

In a statement, Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the train was being shunted at the Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre.

"Initial reports indicate there were no injuries to [Canadian-based manufacturer] Bombardier staff who were shunting the train," she said.

The front carriage of the train appeared to have suffered extensive damage in the incident.

Ms Trad said the NGR train involved in the incident had not been accepted by the Queensland Government and had not completed testing.

But it is yet another issue for the problem-plagued NGR train, which was supposed to begin rolling out by the end of last year.

On-track testing uncovered problems with braking, air-conditioning, ventilation, sightlines for train drivers and disability access.

The State Government halted delivery of the NGR in March and since then none of the $4.4-billion package has been paid to Bombardier.

But the trains are urgently needed on track in time for next year's Commonwealth Games.

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