P.G. Derailment Orders Lifted

By 250 News

Transport Canada has rescinded the 5 orders issued to CN following the collision and derailment in Prince George on August 4^th.

Transport Canada spokesperson Rod Nelson says the railway has implemented new operating procedures and CN can once again  resume  moving longer trains and reinstate the “point of protection zone”.

“We have reviewed CN’s new operational procedures, and we are satisfied the issues have been addressed so the orders have been rescinded.”

The five orders issued were as follows:

1.  Train movement will not be protected by the “point protection” zone, and any existing instructions related to the “point protection” zone ( P.P.Zone) are null and void.   (The inspectors believe this zone, which was to control train traffic, gave operators a false sense of security that there was only one train in the zone at any given time.)

2.  An employee must physically  be on a leading end of equipment to view the track at all times to avoid possible conflicts when switching. (Opinion250 has been told the trains were being operated by "remote control")

3.  The maximum cars to be handled is 30 loads, or 40 cars, but if  40, at least 10 have to be empty.  (CN has confirmed there were3 locomotives and 53 cars on the northbound train, while the southbound train had two locomotives and 67 cars)

4.  There has to be a sufficient number of cars with operating air brakes to control movement

5.  All data related to the braking performance, inspection, repairs and yard engines assigned to switching duties, must be retained for 30 days.

CN spokesperson Kelly Svendsen confirms the orders have been rescinded, but will not release the details of the new operational procedures.

Transport Canada cannot release the details of the operational procedure changes, saying only that the railway has outlined a new training program, and a system that will ensure there is “adequate” braking power.  Opinion 250 has been advised that if it wants the full details, a request for “Access to Information” will have to be filed.

Meantime, the Ministry of the Environment is still waiting for the delivery of CN’s site clean up plan.  The railway has until Friday to submit the plan outlining how it will prevent diesel and gasoline contaminated soil from entering the Fraser river.

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