Rail transportation safety investigation R15D0073

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 13 June 2016.

Table of contents

    Derailment
    Central Maine & Québec Railway
    Freight train 2-10
    Mile 6.3, Adirondack Subdivision
    Farnham, Quebec

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On , at about 2230 Eastern Daylight Time, while departing Farnham Yard, in Farnham, Quebec, 15 cars of Central Maine & Québec Railway freight train 2-10 derailed near the crossover between the siding and the main track of the Adirondack Subdivision. The crossover, a section of the siding of about 800 feet in length and the derailed cars were damaged. There were no injuries.

    Media materials

    News release

    2016-06-13

    Damage to a crossover switch led to the August 2015 freight train derailment in Farnham Yard, Quebec
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2015-08-11

    Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys investigator following train derailment in Farnham, Quebec

    Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys investigator following train derailment in Farnham, Quebec

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R15D0073

    Derailment
    Central Maine & Québec Railway
    Freight train 2-10
    Mile 6.3, Adirondack Subdivision
    Farnham, Quebec

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Ian Perkins

    Mr. Perkins worked with Canadian Pacific Railways for 10 years as conductor and engineer. More recently, he was involved in training and recertifying of locomotive engineers and conductors. He recently joined the TSB as Investigator in the Quebec Region.

    Photos

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    Image of derailed cars (looking southwards)
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    Image of the 11th and 12th cars on the trains
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    First image of derailed cars foul of the main track (looking southwards)
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    Second image of derailed cars foul of the main track (looking southwards)

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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.