The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 16 May 2024.
Uncontrolled movement and derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Cut of cars
Mile 196.7, Belleville Subdivision
Toronto Yard
Toronto, Ontario
The occurrence
On 13 March 2022, at about 1300 Eastern Daylight Time, during switching operations at Canadian Pacific Railway Company’s Toronto Yard in Toronto, Ontario, a cut of 103 cars ran uncontrolled for about 3200 feet down the descending grade of track G05, resulting in the derailment of the leading 7 cars, 1 of which came to rest foul of the main track. Three of the derailed cars were loaded with sulphuric acid (UN1830), and 2 were residue tank cars that had last contained sulphuric acid; there were no leaks of dangerous goods. No one was injured.
Media materials
News release
Inadequate securement of rolling stock led to uncontrolled movement in Toronto Yard, Ontario
Read the news release
Investigation information
R22T0045
Uncontrolled movement and derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Cut of cars
Mile 196.7, Belleville Subdivision
Toronto Yard
Toronto, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Robert Bruder joined the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) in September 2013 as a Regional Senior Investigator for Rail and Pipeline at the Toronto office. Mr. Bruder has an extensive background in railway operations and risk management garnered over a 36-year career with the Canadian National (CN). He managed CN’s Risk Management Department for Eastern Canada from 2004 to 2013, and was extensively involved in the development and implementation of CN’s safety management system, accident/injury investigation, analysis and cause-finding processes, as well as derailment emergency response and mitigation.
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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.