GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Citing weather conditions as a major factor in the accident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada today released its investigation report (R12W0165) into the derailment of a freight train near Poplar Point, Manitoba. There were no injuries and no dangerous goods were released.
On 29 July 2012, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) freight train left Winnipeg, Manitoba, travelling westward en route to Brandon, Manitoba, on CP's Carberry Subdivision. The train consisted of 2 locomotives and 56 cars configured to hold containers. The cars were double stacked with empty containers. At approximately 6 pm., while travelling at about 27 mph through severe weather, the crew received a radio call from the CP Rail Traffic Controller (RTC). The RTC warned the crew of high winds in the area and advised them to take the necessary precautions. Almost simultaneously, a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred and the train came to a stop at Mile 35.0 near Poplar Point, Manitoba. Twelve cars had derailed during high winds and heavy rain in the area.
The investigation found that a delayed notification of the weather conditions to the train crew resulted in the train continuing into the severe weather area and that the container cars were likely blown over by high winds resulting from severe weather.
Canadian Pacific Railway has taken steps to amend its Severe Weather Warning Procedure to ensure that train crews are aware of the risk of encountering high winds.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation 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.
SOURCE: Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Media Relations
819-994-8053
The TSB is online at www.tsb.gc.ca. Keep up to date through RSS, Twitter @TSBCanada, YouTube, Flickr and our blog.
Share this article