The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 25 May 2017.
Non–main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Switching assignment AS-01
Mile 138.0, Scotford Subdivision
Scotford, Alberta
The occurrence
On , at about 1515 Mountain Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway switching assignment AS-01, which was being operated by a remote control locomotive system, derailed 4 loaded tank cars while performing switching operations. Two cars remained upright, 1 car came to rest on its side, and 1 car rolled into a ditch, coming to rest upside down and releasing most of its contents. The cars contained styrene monomer, stabilized (UN2055), a Class 3 flammable liquid. The released product was confined to the ditch. There were no injuries.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys investigator to a derailment involving a Canadian Pacific train in Edmonton, Alberta
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator to Scotford Yard in Edmonton, Alberta, where a train operated by Canadian Pacific derailed. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R15E0173
Non–main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Switching assignment AS-01
Mile 138.0, Scotford Subdivision
Scotford, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Cronkright joined the TSB as an investigator in 2014 after a career with Canadian National (CN) spanning five decades. He held various union and management positions in the transportation department of the railway in Western Canada for most of his career. Prior to his retirement from CN, Mr. Cronkright worked in the Rules and Training group.
Photos
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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.