Non-main-track collision and derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPKC)
Kipp Yard, Crowsnest Subdivision
Coalhurst, Alberta
The occurrence
On 11 February 2024, a Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPKC) remotely controlled switching assignment was pushing 63 cars westward on a track in Kipp Yard when the lead car of the movement struck a cut of 78 stationary cars.
As a result of the collision, a total of 11 cars derailed, including 7 cars containing dangerous goods. There were no leaks or injuries reported. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys two investigators following a train collision and derailment near Lethbridge, Alberta
Calgary, Alberta, 11 February 2024 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying two investigators following a train collision and derailment that occurred at Kipp Yard on the CPKC Crowsnest Subdivision near Lethbridge, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R24C0014
Non-main-track collision and derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPKC)
Kipp Yard, Crowsnest Subdivision
Coalhurst, 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 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.