The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 5 October 2016.
Risk of collision
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Passenger train No. 65
Mile 304, GO Transit Kingston Subdivision
Whitby, Ontario
The occurrence
On , VIA Rail Canada Inc. passenger train No. 65 (VIA 65) was proceeding westward from Montréal, Quebec, to Toronto, Ontario, on the south track of the Kingston Subdivision, near Whitby, Ontario. At approximately 1615 Eastern Daylight Time, while travelling at about 38 mph, VIA 65 passed a red flag and entered into the work limits of track workers. The train stopped approximately 500 feet from the track workers and some of their equipment on the track. There were no injuries, no derailment, and no track damage.
Media materials
News release
Incomplete communication led to risk of collision between a VIA Rail train and equipment at a CN work site in Whitby, Ontario, in October 2015
Read the news release
Investigation information
R15T0245
Risk of collision
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Passenger train No. 65
Mile 304, GO Transit Kingston Subdivision
Whitby, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Darlene Roosenboom has been with the Railway/Pipeline Investigations Branch of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2004. Currently Specialist/Senior Investigator, Operations, she has provided oversight on a number of investigations, and is also a trusted agent of TSB’s confidential reporting system, SECURITAS. Before joining the TSB, Ms. Roosenboom worked for Canadian National Railway Company (CN) for 15 years, predominantly as rail traffic controller; she also held management positions in the work program office, and was a crew coordinator. Ms. Roosenboom obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, majoring in Sociology.
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.