On 5 February 1910 a 32-wagon wheat train from Stawell was travelling towards Beaufort Station, down a steep decline, when the engine crew realised they had no brakes. The signalman at Beaufort Station diverted the runaway train to a dead end siding to avert collision but the train hit the dead end with such speed that the lead engine continued for a further 10 metres. The second engine crashed into it and derailed the train.

Three people died and one person was injured.

The Coroner recommended better locomotive repair work and that drivers be discriminating when accepting engines back following repairs. This event greatly improved work practices at the Victorian Railways.