Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Track Failures May Have Played Role In Northern Ontario Derailments, TSB Says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2015 02:56 PM
    Canada's transportation investigator says track infrastructure failures may have played a role in three recent derailments involving oil-laden trains in northern Ontario.
     
    The Transportation Safety Board says it wants Transport Canada to review the risk assessments for a stretch of track known as the CN Ruel subdivision following the fiery derailments in Gogama and Minnipuka.
     
    It says trains have already been ordered to travel slowly on the Class 4 welded rail track due to "various infrastructure and track maintenance issues," but that heavily loaded tank cars often exert "higher than usual forces" on the track.
     
    The board says that exposes weaknesses in the track and makes it more susceptible to failure.
     
    The agency says its preliminary observations on the March 7 Gogama derailment also found the tank cars performed similarly to those involved in the deadly derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que., despite meeting upgraded safety standards for Class 111 tank cars.
     
    Similar observations were made about a Feb. 14 derailment near the same community, which is about 80 kilometres south of Timmins.
     
    The derailments have fuelled the debate over transporting oil by rail and prompted the transportation ministers of Ontario and Quebec to express concern to their federal counterpart.
     
    Last week, Ottawa proposed tough new standards for rail tank cars used to transport crude oil that would phase out the much-criticized Class 111 tank cars by 2025.
     
    The proposal would require the new tank cars to have outer "jackets," a layer of thermal protection, and thicker steel walls.
     
    The Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday the proposed standards "look promising," but must be implemented more quickly than suggested "given initial observations of the performance" of the upgraded Class 111 in recent derailments.
     
    "If older tank cars, including the (upgraded cars), are not phased out sooner, then the regulator and industry need to take more steps to reduce the risk of derailments or consequences following a derailment carrying flammable liquids," it said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Storm Batters Maritimes, Causing Delays, Closures And Dangerous Driving

    Storm Batters Maritimes, Causing Delays, Closures And Dangerous Driving
    HALIFAX — The last week of winter is starting with a bang in the Maritimes, with a storm ripping through all three provinces and paralyzing parts of the region.

    Storm Batters Maritimes, Causing Delays, Closures And Dangerous Driving

    NDP Private Member Bill Seeks To Ban So-called Conversion Therapy In Ontario

    NDP Private Member Bill Seeks To Ban So-called Conversion Therapy In Ontario
    TORONTO — During her formative years as a transgender woman — or girl, really — Erika Muse says she was subjected to conversion therapy, which left her depressed, suicidal and with a mere lingering shred of self-esteem.

    NDP Private Member Bill Seeks To Ban So-called Conversion Therapy In Ontario

    March In Montreal Against Perceived Police Brutality Declared Illegal

    March In Montreal Against Perceived Police Brutality Declared Illegal
    MONTREAL — A Montreal march against perceived police brutality was declared illegal as soon as it began this afternoon because organizers had not informed authorities of their route.

    March In Montreal Against Perceived Police Brutality Declared Illegal

    Second Shooting At A Surrey Home Is Latest In Spate Of Violence

    Second Shooting At A Surrey Home Is Latest In Spate Of Violence
    SURREY, B.C. — A Surrey, B.C., home that was targeted in a drive-by shooting early Sunday is the same house where shots were fired on Thursday.

    Second Shooting At A Surrey Home Is Latest In Spate Of Violence

    Watch:Motorcycle Chase Through Surrey's Guildford Town Centre Mall Captured In Dramatic Police Video

    Watch:Motorcycle Chase Through Surrey's Guildford Town Centre Mall Captured In Dramatic Police Video
    SURREY, B.C. — A dramatic video showing police chasing a motorcyclist through a Vancouver-area mall is going viral on YouTube.

    Watch:Motorcycle Chase Through Surrey's Guildford Town Centre Mall Captured In Dramatic Police Video

    Two Men Dead From Stab Wounds In Downtown Vancouver's West Hotel

    Two Men Dead From Stab Wounds In Downtown Vancouver's West Hotel
    VANCOUVER — Two men are dead after a double stabbing in a hotel in Vancouver's troubled Downtown Eastside, prompting residents to speak out about ongoing safety concerns.

    Two Men Dead From Stab Wounds In Downtown Vancouver's West Hotel