Cars in CN train derail in southern Manitoba

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Photo of the Gogama derailment last weekend

GREGG, Man. – Canadian National Railway says some cargo spilled when 13 cars in an eastbound freight derailed in southern Manitoba.

The accident happened about 7 p.m. Wednesday near the small community of Gregg, about 50 kilometres east of Brandon.

CN says in a release that the cars were carrying refinery cracking stock, a non-regulated commodity, and that one of them spilled some of its load.

The company says the product did not get into any waterway, but an emergency plan was activated and crews are working with Manitoba environmental officials to clean the ground adjacent to the track.

It says there are no reports of injuries and there was no threat to public safety.

CN also says the main track has been reopened following repairs and investigators are continuing to look for the cause of the derailment.

CN was also involved in a fiery derailment on Saturday just outside Gogama in northern Ontario.

The track and a bridge were destroyed, and a trace of oil product was found in the mouth of the local river system.

There have been three recent CN derailments in northern Ontario, including two along a 40-kilometre stretch of track about an hour south of Timmins.

On Wednesday, the Canadian government proposed tough new standards for rail tank cars used to transport crude oil.

The proposal would require the cars to have outer “jackets,” a layer of thermal protection, and thicker steel walls.


3 COMMENTS

  1. Still does not explain why there have been 3 derailments in Ontario and Manitoba in the last month or less.

    Are these derailments related to winter weather and why/ is the required track maintenance being carried out? Train Speed? Length? Ice? other-Track Maintenance Regulations depending on loads hauled and speed. What Class ate these Railways and what are the required maintenance procedures smmet r and winter? Are the being properly done? Sabotage possibilities?

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