Rail transportation

Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock at MacMillan Yard near Toronto, Ontario, June 2016

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by a single factor. The June 2016 uncontrolled movement of railway cars at MacMillan Yard in Vaughan, Ontario, was no exception. Many factors contributed to the accident, the details of which are contained in the 11 findings as to causes and contributing factors. The investigation established 6 additional findings, including 3 findings as to risk.

Examples of design and safety features to improve railway crossings

Research shows that improving level crossing accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs improves safety. Possible measures to improve crossing accessibility include the following:

Safety communications for TSB investigation (R16M0026) into the July 2016 crossing accident in Moncton, New Brunswick

The occurrence

On 27 July 2016, at about 1:43 a.m., a CN freight train travelling westward on the Springhill Subdivision was approaching downtown Moncton, New Brunswick, when it struck and fatally injured a person in a wheelchair at the Robinson street public crossing.

TSB investigation findings into the July 2016 crossing accident in Moncton, New Brunswick (R16M0026)

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The July 2016 crossing accident in Moncton, New Brunswick was no exception. There were many factors that caused this accident, the details of which are contained in the 7 findings as to causes and contributing factors. Furthermore, there were 4 findings as to risk as well as 2 other findings.

Information about tank cars that carry flammable liquids

The occurrence

On 7 March 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) unit train equipped with 2 head-end locomotives hauling 94 Class 111 tank cars loaded with crude oil (Class 3 flammable liquids) was proceeding eastward on CN's Ruel Subdivision near Gogama, Ontario. The train was 5733 feet long and weighed 13,497 tons. The Class 111 tank cars were built to the CPC-1232 standard (see Figure 1).

Safety communications for TSB investigation (R15H0021) into the March 2015 derailment and fire of a Canadian National crude oil train near Gogama, Ontario

The occurrence

On 07 March 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train was proceeding eastward at about 43 mph on CN's Ruel Subdivision when it experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 88.70, near Gogama, Ontario. A subsequent inspection determined that the 6th to the 44th cars (39 cars in total) had derailed.

Investigation findings for TSB investigation (R15H0021) into the March 2015 derailment and fire of a Canadian National crude oil train near Gogama, Ontario

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The March 2015 derailment of a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train near Gogama, Ontario was no exception. There were many factors that caused this accident, the details of which are contained in the 13 findings as to causes and contributing factors.

Safety communications for TSB investigation (R15H0013) into the February 2015 derailment and fire of a Canadian National crude oil train near Gogama, Ontario

The occurrence

On 14 February 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train was proceeding eastward on CN's Ruel Subdivision near Gogama, Ontario. The train was equipped with 2 head-end locomotives hauling 100 Class 111 tank cars loaded with petroleum products (Class 3 flammable liquids).

Information about tank cars that carry flammable liquids

The occurrence

On 14 February 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train was proceeding eastward on CN's Ruel Subdivision near Gogama, Ontario. The train was equipped with 2 head-end locomotives hauling 100 Class 111 tank cars loaded with petroleum products (Class 3 flammable liquids). Specifically, 68 cars were carrying Petroleum Crude Oil (UN 1267) and 32 cars were carrying Petroleum Distillates (UN 1268). The train was 6089 feet long and weighed 14 355 tons.

Sequence of events of the September 2013 collision between an OC Transpo bus and a VIA Rail train in Ottawa, Ontario