The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 05 December 2017.
Main-track train collision
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight trains Q11251-03 and M30251-02
Mile 34.9, Edson Subdivision
Carvel, Alberta
The occurrence
On , at about 0748 Mountain Daylight Time, Canadian National Railway Company freight train Q11251-03 was proceeding eastward on the Edson Subdivision when it collided at 18 mph with the tail end of train M30251-02 at Mile 34.9 near Carvel, Alberta. No cars derailed as a result of the collision. There was minor damage to 1 empty hopper car on train M30251-02. There were no injuries.
Media materials
News releases
2016 train collision near Carvel, Alberta, highlights TSB's calls for physical defences to ensure railway signals are followed
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB launches an investigation into a two-train collision near Carvel, Alberta
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is launching an investigation into a collision involving two Canadian National trains (CN) near Carvel, Alberta. No derailment or injuries were reported.
Investigation information
R16E0051
Main-track train collision
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight trains Q11251-03 and M30251-02
Mile 34.9, Edson Subdivision
Carvel, 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.
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.