A freight train derailment has blocked deliveries in and out of Western Australia after 39 of 59 wagons derailed 350kms east of Kalgoorlie on Friday.

Train tracks into Perth.
Perth rail line. <span class="media-attribution">Image by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rmhowie/5663884277/in/photolist-9CuTtc-q7CShs-oZtura-8HnWox-qVv7us-qVzE3n-qThAy5-hZF6e3-5ojEVx-5Xe1JA-gWyhfn-6CACNy-6dRGXG-r1EVCv-6LTz4W-6MeUq7-6MeRqN-aaL7ZZ-wHj1NF-6bBeAT-6MeRqS-nJe76R-6E9WVH-fyf2W-6MeRr5-qEFovL-uyBze5-6dRFHf-bf2A5R-6dMwdr-6dMCKX-wYJBor-s3ektD-6dMyWT-6dRJ4q-6dMxDF-6Epkr2-6bGuXo-6fYvs3-tFcgxS-AouU2o-bz3V4W-6SxVPU-fPiRh1-56oacV-6erB6T-7XJJoP-dbKVne-dbLu5J-6tzpWG" target="_blank" rel="external">Robert Howie</a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/uk/" target="_blank" rel="external">CC BY-SA 2.0</a></span>

The incident has proven a logistics nightmare for freight being shipped to Perth and WA. Australia Post and the Indian Pacific passenger trains have also been affected by a train derailment. Families can expect at least a seven day delay on Christmas parcels that were being shipped across the desert by train. Businesses needing to restock shelves in the lead up to Christmas have also been affected. The Department of Education says WA kids back-to-school supplies may also be impacted by the derailment. The track reopened at midday on Thursday, but it is unclear how long it will take for the trains to begin arriving again in Perth.

Read more: theage.com.au

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