The loop diversion was in place between 2.30pm and 9.30pm on Thursday – and the train derailed about 7.50pm. Rail insiders surmise that the XPT driver and the pilot – a contractor brought onto trains to assist drivers when there are no operating signals – may have been relying on old advice to avoid the passing loop and continue along the main line at regular speed. Since a signal hut in Wallan was damaged by fire about three weeks ago, train drivers were instructed to avoid the loop while signals were down. V/Line's advice followed instructions from the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which runs the federally funded line. This advice would ordinarily be distributed to every driver using the tracks. There are also questions about how the driver was guided by train controllers in Junee, NSW.

Rail workers across the state have been left reeling after the deadly incident, especially those in regional towns in Melbourne’s north. It has fanned fears among drivers about poor track quality on the Melbourne-to-Sydney line, resulting in rough riding, mud holes and speed restrictions. One driver, who did not want to be named, said a large amount of taxpayer money was poured into the railway, but track quality was still degrading. The Victorian and federal governments late last year announced a $235 million upgrade to the line, which was due to start later this year. "It's a disgrace," the driver said.

“They’ve had signalling issues on and off there for months at various locations. Signal faults are concerning for drivers, because we have specific rules that we follow and if a driver disobeys the signals, we know what the consequences are.” Travellers were being warned of hour-long delays all week after the Wallan signal hut fire, with one Albury service facing a near four-hour delay last week. But Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said he was "not aware" of complaints by drivers about the safety of the section of the track where the XPT derailed. "No authority in Australia would allow a train to travel on an unsafe track. That just wouldn't happen," he said. As investigators combed through the twisted wreckage of the derailed train, The Rail, Tram and Bus Union issued a statement claiming the accident happened on a section of track that was awaiting maintenance, prompting V/Line drivers to avoid it over the past week.

"The RTBU is deeply saddened by the tragic accident that has taken the life of two rail workers and unnecessarily injured many more," the union said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said she had written to the corporation to continue with works on lines in the region after a freight train derailed at Barnawartha three weeks ago. The Melbourne to Sydney rail line has been plagued by problems after new concrete sleepers were installed about a decade ago. Former federal transport minister Anthony Albanese commissioned an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report into the rail line, which revealed that mud holes along the track had led to bumpy rides and speed restrictions.

Aerial shots of the XPT train derailment. Credit:Nine News Rail safety investigators from several agencies were deployed to the site after the crash, with the cause to be probed by the National Rail Safety Regulator, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, WorkSafe and Victoria Police. A preliminary report will be released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau within 30 days, with train log data and recorded radio communications to be used as evidence. Several passengers said the train was gaining speed at the time of the accident after being stopped due to a signalling issue.

Passenger Rob Jennings said travellers were tossed around the carriage during the approximately minute-long period from when the train began to derail to when it came to a halt. "It just veered off, and all the carriages smashed into one another," he said. "People were tossing around … there was some screaming." The scene after a Sydney to Melbourne XPT derailed, killing two people. Passengers also said the driver had told them over the public address system that he would try to make up time for earlier delays.

Emergency service workers at the scene on Thursday night. Credit:Eddie Jim Loading All Seymour, Albury and Shepparton V/Line services were suspended until further notice and the nearby Catholic school was closed on Friday. Police said it may take days to clear the tracks. V/Line chief executive James Pinder said the section of track was a "particularly complicated part of the infrastructure" because V/Line trains run alongside XPT services. "There are separate signalling systems for the different tracks," he said.