The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 31 March 2021.
Main-track train derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train G86341-28
Mile 80.45, Vegreville Subdivision Chipman, Alberta
The occurrence
On , a Canadian National (CN) loaded unit grain train, proceeding westward at about 41 mph on the Vegreville Subdivision, experienced an emergency brake application, leading to the derailment of 18 cars near Chipman, Alberta. No dangerous goods were involved, and no injuries or fire were reported.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation report: September 2019 main track derailment near Chipman, Alberta
Read the news release
Investigation information
R19E0150
Main-track train derailment
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train G86341-28
Mile 80.45, Vegreville Subdivision Chipman, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Don Crawford has many years of national and international railway experience. In his early career, he was a locomotive engineer with Canadian National (CN) Railway on its British Columbia North Corridor and Vancouver based territories and with BC Rail on the former BC Rail property. In addition, Mr. Crawford has experience in training and supervisory roles and was a staff member at CN's Gimli, Manitoba training facility. Internationally, Mr. Crawford worked in Kosovo after the 1998/99 war as part of the United Nations Peace Keeping effort helping to restore rail service to the country. Most recently, Mr. Crawford worked in Saudi Arabia as a locomotive instructor.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.