The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 22 December 2015.
Main-track derailment
Canadian National
Freight train A41851-11
Mile 202.3, Slave Lake Subdivision
Faust, Alberta
The occurrence
On 11 June 2014, at 1530 Mountain Daylight Time, eastbound Canadian National freight train A41851-11 derailed the last 20 cars at Mile 202.3 of the Slave Lake Subdivision in Faust, Alberta. The last 17 cars were residue tank cars that had last carried diesel fuel (UN 1202). There was no release of product and there were no injuries. Approximately 1200 feet of track was damaged.
Media materials
News releases
Inadequate track conditions led to June 2014 Canadian National Railway derailment near Faust, Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys team to freight train derailment in Faust, Alberta
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Faust, Alberta, where a freight train operated by Canadian National derailed. There were no injuries or dangerous goods release reported. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R14E0081
Main-track derailment
Canadian National
Freight train A41851-11
Mile 202.3, Slave Lake Subdivision
Faust, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Crawford has many years of national and international railway experience. In his early career, he was a locomotive engineer with Canadian National Railway on its BC North Corridor and Vancouver based territories and with BC Rail on the former BC Rail property. In addition, Mr. Crawford has experience in training and supervisory roles and was a staff member at CN’s Gimli, Manitoba training facility. Internationally, Mr. Crawford worked in Kosovo after the 1998/99 war as part of the UN Peace Keeping effort helping to restore rail service to the country. Most recently, Mr. Crawford worked in Saudi Arabia as a locomotive instructor.
Photos
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.