Rail transportation safety investigation R24D0070

Table of contents

    Passing a stop signal
    VIA Rail Canada Inc. assignment 64-29
    and
    Canadian National Railway Company (CN) assignment M32121-29
    Mile 72.2, CN St-Hyacinthe Subdivision
    Montreal, Quebec

    The occurrence

    On 29 September 2024, at approximately 1733 Eastern Daylight Time, a VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) train was backing up eastward when it passed a stop signal without authorization and damaged a main track switch at the entrance to the Victoria Bridge in Montreal (Quebec). At the same time, a CN freight train traveling westbound on the same track came to a stop approximately 1700 feet from the tail of the VIA Rail train.

    There was no collision or derailment, and no one was injured. The TSB is investigating.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R24D0070

    Passing a stop signal
    VIA Rail Canada Inc. assignment 64-29
    and
    Canadian National Railway Company (CN) assignment M32121-29
    Mile 72.2, CN St-Hyacinthe Subdivision
    Montreal, Quebec

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Patrick Sirois

    Patrick Sirois joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2020 as a Senior Regional Investigator with the Rail/Pipeline Investigations Branch.

    Before joining the TSB, Mr. Sirois gained considerable experience in railway operations at Canadian National Railway Company (CN) from 2007 to 2016 holding various positions as a train conductor, locomotive engineer and trainmaster. Mr. Sirois is a member of the Air Brake Association, an educational organization dedicated to the development and improvement of braking systems in the railroad industry. Mr. Sirois also holds a degree in broadcasting from the Cité Collégiale in Ottawa and has several years of experience in the field of electronic media and in the telecommunications industry. He lives in Montréal, Quebec.


      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.