Rail transportation safety investigation R23E0079

Table of contents

    Main-track collision and derailment
    Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
    Mile 141.9, Wainwright Subdivision
    Wainwright, Alberta 

    The occurrence

    On 8 August 2023, a Canadian National Railway Company (CN) freight train was travelling westward on the Wainwright Subdivision when it passed a Stop signal indication and sideswiped a westbound CN freight train that was departing the yard west of Wainwright, Alberta. As a result, two locomotives and two loaded intermodal cars on the first train derailed, while six loaded hopper cars on the second train derailed.

    A small diesel fuel leak was contained. There were no injuries. The TSB is investigating.

    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.