Staff
Poor track conditions and delays in maintenance activities led to the derailment of a Canadian National train in Alberton Township back on May 23, 2014.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its investigation report yesterday stating the CN freight train was travelling from Winnipeg to Chicago, along the Fort Frances Subdivision, when its crew noticed a track misalignment at Mile 93.38.
The crew applied the automatic train air brakes and moved the locomotive dynamic brake (DB), just prior to reaching the track misalignment.
The crew further increased DB as the train passed over the misaligned track.
About 40 seconds later, a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred and the train slowed to a stop.
Subsequent inspection determined 35 freight cars had derailed.
The derailed equipment included two tank cars loaded with molten sulfur—one of which was punctured, released product, and started a small grass fire which burned itself out.
There were no injuries but 500 feet of track was destroyed.
The investigation determined the derailment occurred when the track misalignment at Mile 93.38 buckled sharply beneath the train.
The track structure near the derailment was in poor condition, with defective ties, fouled ballast, and ineffective rail anchoring.
The train brake applications imparted additional compressive forces into an already-weakened track structure.
A significant increase in traffic and tonnage had accelerated track deterioration and maintenance programs were delayed.
At the derailment location, freight trains were operating at 50 m.p.h. on track that only met the standards for 25 m.p.h. operation.
The investigation also identified that CN did not consistently apply its Engineering Track Standards while Transport Canada’s inspection and enforcement activities did not ensure timely maintenance action.
