Rail transportation safety investigation R24C0012

Table of contents

    Main-track derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPKC)
    Mile 65.8, Brooks Subdivision
    Brooks, Alberta

    The occurrence

    On 05 February 2024, at approximately 1624 Mountain Standard Time, a Canadian Pacific Railway Company, doing business as CPKC, mixed-merchandise freight train travelling from Montréal, Quebec, to Edmonton, Alberta, was proceeding westward on the Brooks Subdivision at about 53 mph when the trailing head-end locomotive and 17 intermodal flat cars (41 platforms) derailed at Mile 65.8 near Brooks, Alberta. Some of the derailed cars were carrying dangerous goods but did not breach.

    There were no injuries, fires or leaks reported. Emergency personnel responded to the scene. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB deployed a team of investigators following a train derailment near Brooks, Alberta

    Photos

    Image
    A broken rail end from the derailment site in Brooks, Alberta (Source: TSB)

    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

    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.