The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 06 August 2015.
Main-track collision
Canadian National yard assignment
and Canadian National freight train Q12111-21
Mile 3.5, Montreal Subdivision
Montréal, Quebec
The occurrence
On 23 February 2014, a Canadian National yard assignment, controlled by a remote control locomotive, was travelling with 25 loaded cars on the “freight track” service track of the Montreal Subdivision in Montréal, Quebec. At about 0005, the yard assignment passed a stop signal and collided with train Q12111-21, which was travelling on the north track. Both trains, as well as the tracks they were travelling on, were damaged. There were no injuries.
Media materials
News releases
Competing priorities led to 2014 collision between two Canadian National trains in Montreal, Quebec
Read the news release
Investigation information
R14D0011
Main-track collision
Canadian National yard assignment
and Canadian National freight train Q12111-21
Mile 3.5, Montreal Subdivision
Montréal, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Perkins worked with Canadian Pacific Railways for 10 years as conductor and engineer. More recently, he was involved in training and recertifying of locomotive engineers and conductors. He recently joined the TSB as Investigator in the Quebec Region.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.