Rail transportation safety investigation R19M0028

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 7 February 2020.

Table of contents

    Crossing accidentTrain A40711-29
    Mile 27.73, Bedford Subdivision
    Oakfield, Nova Scotia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    At 11:36 am ADT on , a Canadian National Railway train was proceeding westward at approximately 52 miles per hour when it made contact with a motor vehicle travelling southward through a private crossing at mile 27.73 on the Bedford Subdivision. The vehicle’s two occupants were transported to hospital. There were no injuries to the train’s crew. The crossing is protected with a stop sign and reflectorized standard railway crossing sign on both sides of the crossing.

    Media materials

    News releases

    2020-02-07

    Investigation report: July 2019 railway crossing accident in Oakfield, Nova Scotia
    Read the news release

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R19M0028

    Crossing accidentTrain A40711-29
    Mile 27.73, Bedford Subdivision
    Oakfield, Nova Scotia

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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

    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.