The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 31 May 2017.
Non-main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 293-16
Mile 0.40, Red Deer Subdivision
Alyth Yard
Calgary, Alberta
The occurrence
On , at approximately 0623 Mountain Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway freight train 293-16, proceeding north toward the Red Deer Subdivision at approximately 2.5 mph, derailed 13 cars (11th to 23rd) on the east leg of the north wye in Alyth Yard, Calgary, Alberta. There were no injuries and no dangerous goods were released.
Media materials
News release
Inadequate train handling and employee fatigue led to 2016 Alyth Yard derailment in Calgary, Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a derailment in Calgary, Alberta
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to a derailment involving a Canadian Pacific train in Calgary, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R16C0012
Non-main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 293-16
Mile 0.40, Red Deer Subdivision
Alyth Yard
Calgary, 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.
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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.