The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 15 August 2019.
Uncontrolled movement and derailment of rolling stock on non-main track
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway
Sept-Îles Yard
Sept-Îles, Quebec
The occurrence
On at approximately 1425 Eastern Daylight Time, a cut of 17 empty mixed freight cars uncoupled from a yard assignment train on track AT-03, at the marshalling yard of the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway in Sept-Îles, Quebec. The cut ran uncontrolled and headed toward the yard shop. The first 4 cars of the cut left the track, crossed over a sliding derail, and rolled onto a concrete surface. The lead car smashed through the bay door and entered the repair shop. The lead car then struck a parked track unit, which derailed. The cut of cars travelled a total distance of about 1700 feet. There were no injuries. No dangerous goods were involved.
Media materials
News release
Uncontrolled movement led to May 2018 derailment at Sept-Îles Yard, Quebec
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a derailment in Sept-Îles, Quebec
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway derailment in Sept-Îles, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R18Q0046
Uncontrolled movement and derailment of rolling stock on non-main track
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway
Sept-Îles Yard
Sept-Îles, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Guy Laporte joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2006. He had previously acquired valuable experience in the rail industry over a 27-year career at CN in Montréal, where he held various technician positions in Technical Services and supervisory positions with the railway's Buildings and Bridges and Structures departments.
Since joining the TSB, Mr. Laporte has taken part in numerous rail accident investigations in Eastern Canada.
Mr. Laporte earned a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from Montréal's Collège Ahuntsic in 1978.
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.