The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 11 January 2018.
Main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 669-161
Mile 90.21, Sutherland Subdivision
Blucher, Saskatchewan
The occurrence
On , a Canadian Pacific train proceeding east near Blucher, Saskatchewan, derailed 37 cars loaded with bulk potash. There were no dangerous goods involved and no injuries were reported.
Media materials
News release
Investigation brief: 2017 train derailment near Blucher, Saskatchewan
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a train derailment near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a train derailment near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R17W0199
Main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 669-161
Mile 90.21, Sutherland Subdivision
Blucher, Saskatchewan
Investigator-in-charge
Glen Pilon has been with the TSB since 2008 as Technical Coordinator and investigator at the TSB Head Office in Gatineau, Quebec. He has been the investigator-in-charge of a number of rail accident investigations and has acted as train operations expert on many others. Mr. Pilon worked for the Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) from 1996 until 2008 as locomotive engineer and safety officer and with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) from 1987 until 1996 in operations as trainman and conductor.
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.