News release

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (R24C0014) into the 2024 rail collision and derailment involving 11 railcars in Coalhurst, Alberta.

On February 11, 2024, just before midnight, a Canadian Pacific (doing business as CPKC) yard crew was attempting to connect 66 railcars to a set of stationary cars using a remote‑control locomotive system. While reversing toward the stationary cars, an inaccurate estimate of the remaining distance for coupling resulted in a collision with the stationary cars and the subsequent derailment. There were no injuries reported, and no dangerous goods were released. 

The investigation found that the crew’s switching practices involved multiple adaptations from written instructions, reducing the safety margins those procedures were intended to provide. Additionally, the employee providing distance information was doing so by portable two-way radio while driving a vehicle, dividing his attention. Consequently, the combination of high cognitive load and reduced visibility at night affected his ability to provide accurate distance estimate instructions to the foreman.

Following this occurrence, Transport Canada (TC) inspected the rail yard and later issued a letter of non‑compliance. In response, CPKC conducted a formal investigation and coached crew members on the rules. The company also conducted job briefings and a safety blitz to educate local crews on the occurrence. CPKC also issued an operating bulletin requiring that all crew members pushing equipment on non-main track must have a qualified employee riding the leading piece of equipment while controlling the movement. Following the response and corrective measures taken, TC issued a letter acknowledging sufficient action taken.

See the investigation page for more information.