Transport Canada Updating Train Brake Inspection, Safety Rules

“We’re making changes to the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules to make trains moving in Canada safer than ever before, especially during winter,” Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said.

Transport Canada on Dec. 8 announced changes to the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules that it said will “strengthen brake performance during cold weather, particularly on steep descending grades.” These new changes are the second part of a 2022 Ministerial Order and will take effect Dec. 1, 2025.

According to Transport Canada, the new changes will require railroads to:

• “Strengthen air brake inspections by ensuring that heavy trains operating on a steep grade in cold weather undergo more robust air brake inspections.
• “Develop and submit procedures related to the inspection requirements to Transport Canada.
• “Strengthen requirements for periodic maintenance of air brake cylinders.”

Transport Canada reported that these changes are the second part of a 2022 Ministerial Order to boost cold weather brake performance, particularly on steep descending grades.

Initial changes to strengthen regular air brake inspection requirements and to introduce requirements for a Train Brake Winter Operating Plan were reported July 25, 2022. Transport Canada called on railroads to propose rule revisions that it said would “enhance regular pre-departure inspections and periodic maintenance of air brakes on trains and address the elevated risks of operating trains in cold temperatures.” Additionally, they were required to develop a winter operating plan for their equipment, “specifying actions to be taken when temperatures are very cold, including implementing speed restrictions and performing enhanced inspections.” These changes addressed recommendations that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released following Canadian Pacific’s Feb. 4, 2019, train derailment near Field, British Columbia.

According to Transport Canada, both changes were approved in January 2023, and came into force May 31, 2023, according to the government agency.

“We’re making changes to the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules to make trains moving in Canada safer than ever before, especially during winter,” Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said. “Safety is always the highest priority, and we’re committed to modernizing and to addressing any safety risks that Canada’s rail system may face.”