Transportation Safety Board of Canada

(Courtesy of TSB)

TSB Issues Preliminary 2023 Transportation Occurrence Stats

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published its summary of preliminary transportation occurrence statistics from 2023, showing accidents are below the five-year average for the four sectors. Incidents are down in 2023 for rail and marine, flat for pipeline, and up for air transportation.

Map showing the June 28, 2019, route of CN train M38331-27 the derailment location. (Source: Railway Association of Canada, Canadian Rail Atlas, with TSB annotations)

TSB: Railcar Structural Failure Led to 2019 CN Tunnel Derailment

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) on Dec. 18 reported that structural failure of a bathtub gondola car led to the 2019 derailment of a CN train proceeding through the CN Paul M. Tellier Tunnel en route from Sarnia, Ontario, to Port Huron, Mich. At the time of the accident, “there was no industry or regulatory requirement to periodically conduct a full inspection of the car to ensure it maintained its structural integrity,” the TSB reported. “As a result, its structural integrity deteriorated and this was not identified. …”

“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 Updating Train Brake Inspection, Safety Rules

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.

Canada TSB: UDR Led to 2019 CP Train Derailment

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) on July 19 released its investigation report into the January 2019 Canadian Pacific (CP) freight train derailment in the Upper Spiral Tunnel, near Field, British Columbia (BC), citing the undesired release of air brakes (UDR) as the cause.

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Canada TSB’s Fox Reappointed as Chair

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) announced July 13 via a Twitter post that Kathy Fox has been reappointed as Chair, effective Aug. 21, for the next year as the process to find her successor continues.