The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 31 March 2014.
Main track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 679-101
Mile 80.70 Hardisty Subdivision
Provost, Alberta
The occurrence
On 28 April 2013, at 0355 Central Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway freight train 679-101 was proceeding westward from Wilkie, Saskatchewan, to Hardisty, Alberta, when 17 of its cars, loaded with potash, derailed at Mile 80.7 on the Hardisty Subdivision, near Provost, Alberta. Approximately 350 feet of track was destroyed. There were no injuries.
Media materials
News releases
Poor drainage and water-damaged track bed led to 2013 derailment of Canadian Pacific potash cars in Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys an investigator to the site of a derailment near Provost, Alberta
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator to the site of a derailment near Provost, Alberta. At approximately 4:00 Mountain Time, a Canadian Pacific freight train derailed an unknown number of cars containing potash. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R13E0069
Main track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 679-101
Mile 80.70 Hardisty Subdivision
Provost, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
James Carmichael has been with the Transportation Board of Canada (TSB) in the Railway/Pipeline Investigations Branch since 2008. During his time at the TSB he has been a key investigator in a number of investigations in Western Canada.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Carmichael held various mechanical positions with four separate railroads. At British Columbia Railway (BCR) from 1980 to 2004, Mr. Carmichael gained considerable experience in the mechanical field; he worked as a carman and progressed into a management role as general supervisor in the Car Department. Over the next 4 years Mr. Carmichael worked for CN Rail and CP Rail as a mechanical supervisor. He was also regional manager for Mechanical with OmniTRAX's Carlton Trail, Hudson Bay, and Okanagan Valley Railroads. He holds certifications as a hazardous materials technician and tank car specialist and was a member of BCR’s Emergency Response Team. Mr. Carmichael lives in Calgary, Alberta.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.