A train carrying grain from Temora to Port Kembla was derailed this morning. Photo: Lake Illawarra Police District

A GRAIN train on its way to Port Kembla derailed this morning south of Sydney on the Moss Vale to Unanderra freight line.

Neither crew member was injured in the incident, which occurred at 5am, and resulted in 39 wagons carrying a total of 2600 tonnes of wheat leaving the track.

The train was owned and operated by Qube, and was bringing wheat from Temora on the south-west slopes of NSW to Qube’s Quattro terminal to load an export cargo.

The derailment occurred only a few kilometres from the train’s destination.

ARTC manages the line on which the incident occurred, and in a statement issued this evening said safety regulators currently have control of the site to conduct investigations, and ARTC is assessing recovery and repair tasks.

Due to the location of the derailed wagons and damage to the track, the recovery process will face access challenges.

The Moss Vale to Unanderra line is closed until further notice.

ARTC said it was working with customers to identify potential alternative train routes to the port.

In a statement on Twitter earlier today, Qube Holdings Ltd said transport and safety investigations have already commenced in relation to the incident, and Qube was assisting authorities with their inquiries.

“It’s unclear when the track will be cleared but crews are working now to clear the site,” the post said.

The grain is believed to be destined for a vessel bound for Sri Lanka and due to berth tomorrow to commence loading over coming days.