Rail transportation safety investigation R17C0074

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 28 March 2018.

Table of contents

    Main-track derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway
    Freight train 603-230
    Mile 26.4, Maple Creek Subdivision
    Antelope, Saskatchewan

    The occurrence

    On 3 October 2017, a Canadian Pacific Railway train heading west experienced an undesired emergency brake application at Mile 26 of the Maple Creek subdivision near Antelope, Saskatchewan. During the occurrence 37 cars derailed and piled up along the right of way with about 1000 ft. of track damage. There were no injuries, and no dangerous goods were involved.

    Media materials

    News release

    2018-03-28

    Investigation report: Main-track derailment near Antelope, Saskatchewan, October 2017
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2017-10-04

    TSB deploys a team of investigators to a train derailment near Swift Current, Saskatchewan

    The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a train derailment near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R17C0074

    Main-track derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway
    Freight train 603-230
    Mile 26.4, Maple Creek Subdivision
    Antelope, Saskatchewan

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of James Carmichael

    James Carmichael has been with the Transportation Board of Canada (TSB) in the Railway/Pipeline Investigations Branch since 2008. During his time at the TSB he has been a key investigator in a number of investigations in Western Canada.

    Before joining the TSB, Mr. Carmichael held various mechanical positions with four separate railroads. At British Columbia Railway (BCR) from 1980 to 2004, Mr. Carmichael gained considerable experience in the mechanical field; he worked as a carman and progressed into a management role as general supervisor in the Car Department. Over the next 4 years Mr. Carmichael worked for CN Rail and CP Rail as a mechanical supervisor. He was also regional manager for Mechanical with OmniTRAX's Carlton Trail, Hudson Bay, and Okanagan Valley Railroads. He holds certifications as a hazardous materials technician and tank car specialist and was a member of BCR’s Emergency Response Team. Mr. Carmichael lives in Calgary, Alberta.


    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.