Main-track derailment
Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
Mile 34.30 , Rivers Subdivision
Elie, Manitoba
The occurrence
On , a Canadian National Railway Company (CN) freight train loaded with wheat was travelling east on the north main track when 17 loaded hopper cars derailed at Mile 34.30 on the Rivers Subdivision.
No dangerous goods were released, and no injuries were reported. The TSB is investigating.
Investigation information
R24W0021
Main-track derailment
Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
Mile 34.30 , Rivers Subdivision
Elie, Manitoba
Investigator-in-charge
Reinhard Sommerfeld joined the TSB in September 2021 as Regional Senior Rail Investigator in the Central Region. He has nearly 38 years of service with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). During his career, he has been exposed to the full range of engineering activities associated with track maintenance and held various positions of increasing responsibility. He completed accident cause finding courses and, for a number of years, has been actively involved in determining causes and corrective actions for CP derailments. He has also served on CP’s Health and Safety Committee for 12 years.
In 2007, Mr. Sommerfeld became a Roadmaster (Manager of Track) and worked on several CP subdivisions. He managed work crews and planned track maintenance work activities.
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.