The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 09 October 2018.
Main-track derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train M39731-18
Mile 18.70, Strathroy Subdivision
Strathroy, Ontario
The occurrence
On 19 July 2017, at about 0415 Eastern Daylight Time, Canadian National Railway Company freight train M39731-18, proceeding westward on the Strathroy Subdivision, derailed 14 cars in the town of Strathroy, Ontario. The cars that derailed, including 1 dangerous goods residue tank car that last contained liquefied petroleum gas (UN1075), came to rest in the vicinity of the Metcalfe Street West crossing. There were no injuries, and there was no release of dangerous goods.
Media materials
News releases
A unique combination of six non-condemnable factors led to July 2017 “wheel-climb” derailment in Strathroy, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a train derailment near Strathroy, Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a Canadian National Railway train derailment near Strathroy, Ontario. No dangerous goods were released. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R17T0164
Main-track derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train M39731-18
Mile 18.70, Strathroy Subdivision
Strathroy, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Robert Bruder joined the Transportation Safety Board in September of 2013 as Regional Senior Investigator Rail/Pipeline at the TSB's Toronto office. Mr. Bruder has an extensive background in railway operations and risk management garnered over a 36-year career with CN Rail. He managed CN's Risk Management Department for Eastern Canada from 2004 to 2013, and was extensively involved in development and implementation of CN's safety management system, accident/injury investigation, analysis and cause-finding processes, as well as derailment emergency response and mitigation.
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.