The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 30 September 2020.
Main-track train derailment
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Train 14
Mile 15.27, Canadian National Railway Company Newcastle Subdivision
Coal Branch, New Brunswick
The occurrence
On , at approximately 1235 Atlantic Daylight Time, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA) passenger train 14 (VIA 14, or the train), travelling eastward at approximately 60 mph, derailed the 2 tail-end cars (VIA 7600 and VIA 8711) at Mile 15.27 of the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) Newcastle Subdivision. VIA 14 had been travelling over the Lakeville Road crossing when 2 passenger cars derailed upright. The train came to a stop with the head end at Mile 14.2. Three passengers sustained minor injuries. No dangerous goods were involved.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation into 2019 derailment expresses concern about lack of rail inspection requirements at crossings
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a train derailment near Moncton, New Brunswick
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 4 April 2019 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a derailment involving a VIA Rail train near Moncton, New Brunswick. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
R19M0018
Main-track train derailment
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Train 14
Mile 15.27, Canadian National Railway Company Newcastle Subdivision
Coal Branch, New Brunswick
Investigator-in-charge
Dennis Church joined the Transportation Board of Canada (TSB) in January 2019. He brings with him almost 15 years of experience in the railway industry.
Just before joining the TSB, Mr. Church had occupied the position of certified railway car technician for VIA Rail Canada Inc. at its Ottawa Station since 2016. He started his railway career with Ottawa Central Railway (OCR) as a maintenance-of-way employee in 2005. Shortly thereafter, he started a carman apprenticeship. In 2008, after OCR was amalgamated with the Canadian National Railway Company, Dennis was assigned as the mechanical emergency respondent for Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. In this role, he was responsible for responding to emergency calls, incident investigation, dimensional load inspections and rolling stock repairs.
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
- 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.