The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 15 December 2022.
Fire on right-of-way
Canadian National Railway Company
Yard assignment YCYS61-16
Mile 124.95, Three Hills Subdivision
Calgary, Alberta
The occurrence
On , a Canadian National (CN) crew reported that a locomotive was producing sparks at mile 124.9 of CN’s Three Hill Subdivision in Calgary, Alberta. Local fire services responded and extinguished right of way grass fires. No injuries were reported. The unit was taken to shop for inspection.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation report: July 2021 fire on right-of-way in Calgary, Alberta
Read the news release
Investigation information
R21C0070
Fire on right-of-way
Canadian National Railway Company
Yard assignment YCYS61-16
Mile 124.95, Three Hills Subdivision
Calgary, 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.