Rail transportation

Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock related to TSB investigation report (R16T0111)

The occurrence

On 17 June 2016, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crew was performing switching operations using a remote control locomotive system (known as a Beltpack) in MacMillan Yard, located in Vaughan, near Toronto, Ontario. The crew was pulling 72 loaded cars and 2 empty cars southward from the yard toward the York 3 main track, in order to clear the switch at the south end of the Halton outbound track, when it lost control of the cars.

Safety communications for TSB investigation (R15H0021) into the March 2015 derailment and fire of a Canadian National crude oil train near Gogama, Ontario

The occurrence

On 07 March 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train was proceeding eastward at about 43 mph on CN's Ruel Subdivision when it experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 88.70, near Gogama, Ontario. A subsequent inspection determined that the 6th to the 44th cars (39 cars in total) had derailed.

Information about tank cars that carry flammable liquids

The occurrence

On 7 March 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) unit train equipped with 2 head-end locomotives hauling 94 Class 111 tank cars loaded with crude oil (Class 3 flammable liquids) was proceeding eastward on CN's Ruel Subdivision near Gogama, Ontario. The train was 5733 feet long and weighed 13,497 tons. The Class 111 tank cars were built to the CPC-1232 standard (see Figure 1).

Investigation findings for TSB investigation (R15H0021) into the March 2015 derailment and fire of a Canadian National crude oil train near Gogama, Ontario

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The March 2015 derailment of a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train near Gogama, Ontario was no exception. There were many factors that caused this accident, the details of which are contained in the 13 findings as to causes and contributing factors.

Findings from TSB investigation R19W0002 – January 2019 main track train collision and derailment near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the January 2019 main track train collision and derailment involving two Canadian National Railway (CN) freight trains near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, several factors led to the accident.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation R19W0002: January 2019 main track train collision and derailment near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

The occurrence

On 3 January 2019, eastbound CN freight train 318 collided with the side of westbound CN freight train 315 just east of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

TSB Rail Transportation Safety Investigation R19W0002 Train collision near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in January 2019

Railway terminology

Railway signal indications: Signal indications are lights displayed beside or over the tracks that indicate to train crews how to proceed. Similar to traffic lights that govern the operation of roadway vehicle traffic, in signalled territory, a progression of wayside railway signal indications govern train movements on railway tracks.  

Table 1.

TSB statistics on unplanned/uncontrolled movements

From 2009 to 2018, there were 562 occurrences reported to the Transporatation Safety Bord of Canada (TSB) related to unplanned/uncontrolled movements among all railways in Canada.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation R17W0267 – December 2017 employee fatality in Melville, Saskatchewan

The occurrence

On 22 December 2017, at about 1800 Central Standard Time during hours of darkness, a Canadian National Railway Company (CN) foreman and a helper were performing switching operations at CN’s Melville Yard in Melville, Saskatchewan.