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Rail transportation safety investigation R15D0073

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 13 June 2016.

Table of contents

Derailment

Central Maine & Québec Railway
Freight train 2-10
Mile 6.3, Adirondack Subdivision
Farnham, Quebec

View final report

The occurrence

On , at about 2230 Eastern Daylight Time, while departing Farnham Yard, in Farnham, Quebec, 15 cars of Central Maine & Québec Railway freight train 2-10 derailed near the crossover between the siding and the main track of the Adirondack Subdivision. The crossover, a section of the siding of about 800 feet in length and the derailed cars were damaged. There were no injuries.

Media materials

News release

2016-06-13

Damage to a crossover switch led to the August 2015 freight train derailment in Farnham Yard, Quebec
Read the news release

Deployment notice

2015-08-11

Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys investigator following train derailment in Farnham, Quebec

Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys investigator following train derailment in Farnham, Quebec


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence


Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Ian Perkins

Ian Perkins began his railway career as a conductor at Canadian Pacific (CP). In 2009, he completed the locomotive engineer training program and in 2011 began working as a rules instructor. As a rules instructor, he trained and recertified both conductors and locomotive engineers. After working for nearly 10 years at CP, Mr. Perkins joined the TSB as a senior regional investigator for Rail and Pipeline in the Quebec Region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Concordia University and a certificate in Transportation Logistics from McGill University.


Photos


  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.