Train fumes leak put drivers at risk, says union
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Queensland Rail has issued train drivers with gas masks. (AAP Image - file photo: Queensland Rail)
A Queensland union says two tilt train drivers could have died when exhaust fumes leaked into an engine cabin in the state's far north.
Queensland Rail (QR) says a train driver and his co-driver received medical treatment after diesel fumes penetrated the driver's compartment on a journey from Cairns to Townsville last month.
Greg Smith from the Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (FULE) says the safety risk was unacceptable.
"What could have happened in this case - and it's very real - is that the locomotive could have come to a stop with both drivers blacked out," he said.
QR has issued train drivers with gas masks, but they are a temporary measure and are for emergency use only.
QR spokesman Paul Scurrah says safety regulations were overhauled after the incident.
"We took immediate action to make sure we fixed the issue," he said.
"There was an issue with a pipe and an issue with the seals around some of the doors, which we've rectified.
"We've also put contingencies in place to make sure they are checked on a more regular basis.
"But as a safety back-up, we have made sure there is personal respiratory equipment on the trains for the drivers."
