Rail transportation

Investigation findings in the July 2013 rail accident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec

The investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex, and it is never just one factor that causes an accident. The July 2013 train accident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, was no exception. There were many factors that caused this accident, the details of which are contained in the 18 findings as to causes and contributing factors. Furthermore, there were 16 additional findings as to risk as well as 6 other findings.

Recommendations ensuing from the rail accident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) continues to investigate the 6 July 2013 derailment and fire involving a freight train operated by Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA) in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

On February 17, 2005, a Canadian National (CN) freight train, proceeding eastward on the CN Kingston Subdivision, struck two pedestrians at the Bartholomew Street public crossing (Mile 124.88), Brockville, Ontario. One pedestrian was fatally injured; the second received serious injuries. The two pedestrians stepped into the path of the eastward train after the passage of a westward train. The Board determined that the two pedestrians stepped into the path of the eastward train while their concentration was fixed on a passing westbound train.

Backgrounder - Wabamun Derailment (R05E0059) - Recommendations

On August 3, 2005, at about 5 o'clock mountain daylight time, a Canadian National freight train, proceeding westward from Edmonton, Alberta, to Vancouver, British Columbia, derailed 43 cars near Wabamun, Alberta. Included were one loaded car of pole treating oil, one car of toluene (UN 1294), and 25 loaded cars of Bunker C (heavy fuel oil). Approximately 700 000 litres of Bunker C and 88 000 litres of pole treating oil were spilled, causing extensive property, environmental, and biological damage.

Backgrounder - Final Investigation Report R04Q0040 August 17, 2004 Derailment of CN Train U-781-21-17 near Lévis, Quebec

At approximately 1440 eastern daylight time on August 17, 2004, 18 tank cars of Canadian National Train U-781-21-17, a petroleum product unit train travelling from the Ultramar Canada Inc. refinery at Lévis, district of Saint-Romuald, Quebec, en route for Montréal, Quebec, derailed at Mile 3.87 of the Lévis Subdivision, in the marshy area of the Grande Plée Bleue, near Saint-Henri-de-Lévis.

Recommendations - Extract from Railway Investigation Report R03V0083, Derailment of Canadian National (CN) freight train, near McBride, British Columbia

In December 2003, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued two safety recommendations in advance of the final report. The recommendations focused on the issues of timber bridge maintenance, inspection and safety regulation.

Recommendations – Extract from Railway Investigation Report R02W0063 Crossing accident and derailment near Firdale, Manitoba

Action Required – Driver training material

The railway crossbuck sign is the primary defence for vehicles at public passive crossings. There is a common misconception among drivers that crossbuck signs are simply indicating the presence of a crossing, rather than also suggesting the possibility of an approaching train or a train occupying the crossing.