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Rail transportation safety investigation R14W0041

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 14 July 2015.

Table of contents

Main-track train derailment

Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 490-15
Mile 43.10, Minnedosa Subdivision
Keyes, Manitoba

View final report

The occurrence

On , at 2211 Central Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway freight train 490-15 was proceeding eastward at 42 mph on the Minnedosa Subdivision when a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred and the train came to a stop. Subsequent inspection determined that 27 covered hopper cars loaded with potash and grain had derailed in the vicinity of the Keyes siding located at Mile 43.10 near Gladstone, Manitoba. About 1443 feet of main track and 292 feet of adjacent siding track were damaged.


Media materials

News releases

2015-07-14

The effects of defective train wheels on rail at the heart of 2014 CP accident near Keyes, Manitoba
Read the news release


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence


Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Robert Bruder

Robert Bruder joined the Transportation Safety Board in September of 2013 as Regional Senior Investigator Rail/Pipeline at the TSB's Toronto office. Mr. Bruder has an extensive background in railway operations and risk management garnered over a 36-year career with CN Rail. He managed CN's Risk Management Department for Eastern Canada from 2004 to 2013, and was extensively involved in development and implementation of CN's safety management system, accident/injury investigation, analysis and cause-finding processes, as well as derailment emergency response and mitigation.


  Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

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

  1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.