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CN Facing Train Length Limits

By 250 News

In the wake of  derailments on the line between Squamish and Clinton, the  Transportation Safety Board has  announced a Notice and Order for CN Rail limiting the length of trains to 80 cars while  operating northbound. The recent derailments have all occurred while trains have been traveling north on that line.  A Notice and Order is issued under Section 31 of the Railway Safety Act, when, in the opinion of a Transport Canada railway safety inspector, there is an immediate threat to safe railway operations.

“I am very concerned about the number of derailments in the Squamish area and that’s why we are further restricting CN’s operations,” said Transport Minister  Lapierre. “As a safety precaution we are limiting the length of all CN trains operating northbound in the Squamish area, until CN can demonstrate that they can operate longer trains safely on that route.”

Under a previous Notice and Order, issued in earl;y November of this year, Transport Canada restricted the length of CN’s conventional trains on the Squamish route to 80 cars. The new Notice and Order further restricts CN’s operations in the interest of public safety and covers all trains, including those using distributed power.

A conventional train has locomotives at the front of the train pulling the rail cars. A distributed power operated train has locomotives at the front of the train as well as in the body of the train to push and pull the rail cars. This distributes power and traction more equally throughout the length of the train.

In November, Transport Canada required CN to provide a detailed analysis of their distributed power operated train operations in the Squamish area and a comprehensive risk assessment of any changes CN has made to BC Rail’s operating instructions. CN was asked to focus the analysis and assessment on train length, equipment, track conditions and speed. Transport Canada has received CN’s analysis and risk assessment and is currently reviewing both documents.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is currently investigating the recent CN derailments to determine the causes. Transport Canada is closely following the TSB’s ongoing investigation through a Minister’s Observer who was appointed after the accidents. The Minister’s Observer will advise the department of any regulatory responsibilities the department may have, and identify areas where immediate improvements to safety can be made.


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