Passing of a stop signal and derailment
Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
Mile 141.9, Wainwright Subdivision
Wainwright, Alberta
The occurrence
On , a Canadian National Railway Company (CN) freight train was travelling westward on the Wainwright Subdivision when it passed a stop signal and sideswiped a westbound CN freight train that was departing the yard west of Wainwright, Alberta. As a result, two locomotives and three loaded intermodal cars on the first train derailed, while six loaded hopper cars on the second train derailed.
A small diesel fuel spill was contained. No injuries were reported. The TSB is investigating.
Investigation information
R23E0079
Passing of a stop signal and derailment
Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
Mile 141.9, Wainwright Subdivision
Wainwright, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Matt Patzer has been with the Transportation Board of Canada (TSB) in the Railway/Pipeline Investigations Branch since January 2023. He works in the Western Region based out of Calgary Alberta where he lives.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Patzer held various mechanical positions at both a short-line and class 1 railway, and most recently worked as a Railway Safety Inspector at Transport Canada. During his time in the railway industry, he worked as a Carman/Rail Car Mechanic and progressed into management within the Car department and finished as a Senior Supervisor. Over his time in the railway industry, he became certified as a Dangerous Goods Responder. Beyond his typical duties in the Car Department, he would respond to derailments with responsibilities in determining cause and wrecking operations. After joining Transport Canada Mr. Patzer became designated as a Railway Safety Management Systems Inspector, Equipment Inspector, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Inspector as well as becoming designated as an Occupational Health and Safety Officer under the Canada Labour Code. Mr. Patzer was also a designated Minister’s Observer, a liaison position at Transport Canada that becomes assigned to TSB investigations. With his background as a Dangerous Goods Responder in the railway Industry, he was a member of the Dangerous Goods Response Team at Transport Canada in his region.
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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.