The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 29 June 2020.
Main-track train derailment
Central Maine & Quebec Railway
Freight train 630
Mile 103.73, Sherbrooke Subdivision
Bolton-Ouest, Quebec
The occurrence
On , Central Maine & Quebec (CMQ) train 630 was proceeding westward at 16 mph when six cars derailed at mile 104 on the Sherbrooke Subdivision, near West Bolton, Quebec. The six cars that derailed included three boxcars loaded with paper, and three centre beam flat cars loaded with lumber. No injuries were reported, and no dangerous goods were involved.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation report: November 2019 main-track train derailment in Bolton-Ouest, Quebec
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys an investigator to the site of a train derailment near Bolton West, Quebec
Dorval, Quebec, 17 November 2019 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator to the site of a Central Maine and Quebec Railway train derailment near Bolton West, Quebec. No dangerous goods were released and no injuries were reported. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R19D0117
Main-track train derailment
Central Maine & Quebec Railway
Freight train 630
Mile 103.73, Sherbrooke Subdivision
Bolton-Ouest, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Luc Régis joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2019 as a Senior Regional Investigator with the Rail/Pipeline Investigations Branch.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Régis gained considerable experience in the construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure, holding various supervisory positions within the Engineering Department at Canadian National Railway Company (CN) from 2009 to 2014. From 2014 to 2019, he worked at Transport Canada as a Railway Safety Inspector in the Quebec Region, and at Transport Canada’s Emergency Situation Centre (SitCen) as rail safety expert. He lives in Montreal, Quebec.
Photos
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.