Main-track derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPKC)
Mile 38.76, Aldersyde Subdivision
Champion, Alberta
The occurrence
On 27 November 2025, a Canadian Pacific Railway Company freight train consisting of 160 cars was travelling south on the main-track of the Aldersyde Subdivision near Champion, Alberta, when a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred at mile 38.76. After the train came to a stop, the crew conducted an inspection and found that 34 cars had derailed, blocking two roadways in the area.
The derailed cars included three tank cars containing non-dangerous goods (vegetable oil), two of which were breached and reported to have released an unknown quantity of product. There were no injuries, and no dangerous goods involved.
A team of investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) deployed to the site to collect data and assess the occurrence.
The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
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.