Train derailment
Mile 32.75, Lanigan Subdivision
Silton, Saskatchewan
The occurrence
On at 5:02 Central Standard Time (CST), a Canadian Pacific (CP) unit potash train weighing 28 000 tons was proceeding southward at 37 mph when it derailed 27 cars. The derailment occurred at Mile 32.75 on the infrastructure of the Lanigan Subdivision, equipped with 1977 Algoma rail. There were no injuries. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deployed an investigator to the site of a train derailment near Silton, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 16 October 2021 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed an investigator following a derailment involving a Canadian Pacific train near Silton, Saskatchewan. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Media materials
Investigation information
R21S0048
Train derailment
Mile 32.75, Lanigan Subdivision
Silton, Saskatchewan
Investigator-in-charge
Reinhard Sommerfeld joined the TSB in September 2021 as Regional Senior Rail Investigator in the Central Region. He has nearly 38 years of service with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). During his career, he has been exposed to the full range of engineering activities associated with track maintenance and held various positions of increasing responsibility. He completed accident cause finding courses and, for a number of years, has been actively involved in determining causes and corrective actions for CP derailments. He has also served on CP’s Health and Safety Committee for 12 years.
In 2007, Mr. Sommerfeld became a Roadmaster (Manager of Track) and worked on several CP subdivisions. He managed work crews and planned track maintenance work activities.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.