![]() The limitations of current train brake test methodologies to accurately evaluate air brake performance in these temperatures.The degradation of air brake systems in extreme cold temperatures.The investigation identified a number of safety deficiencies that contributed to the accident: Safety deficiencies contributing to the accident Two locomotives and 99 cars derailed, beginning at Mile 130.6. The train was able to proceed over back-to-back reverse curves as its speed reached 53 mph, but it was not able to negotiate the sharp 9.8° curve immediately before the Kicking Horse River bridge. The relief crew took over care and control of the train and prepared to resume the trip, but waited in the locomotive cab for the track unit carrying the departing inbound crew to be clear of the main track before they began the release and catch.Īt 0042, before the relief crew were able to start that process, the train began to creep forward, gradually accelerating uncontrolled down the steep grade. Meanwhile, the ambient temperature had dropped to −28 ☌, and the train’s air brake system had been leaking compressed air, reducing the brakes’ capacity to hold the train on the steep grade. The relief crew started their shift at 2230 and reached the train-after a series of circumstances had delayed their arrival-at about 0020 on 04 February 2019, some 2.5 hours after the train had been stopped in emergency. Since the inbound crew was nearing the end of their shift, a relief crew was called in to complete the trip to Field. The conductor completed this task at approximately 2330. In order to limit the train’s acceleration after the brakes were released, the pressure retaining valves Footnote 4 had to be set to the high-pressure position on 84 of the rail cars. It was decided to get the train underway again by releasing the emergency brake application and allowing the train’s air brakes to recharge as the train continued its descent (an operation called release and catch). While stopped in emergencyĪfter the inbound crew brought the train to an emergency stop, they had a job briefing with the trainmaster. From there, about 9 miles of descending 2.2% grade remained ahead of the train. At approximately 2149, the train came to a stop at Partridge, British Columbia (Mile 127.46). When the speed reached 21 mph, the inbound crew applied the brakes in emergency, as required by railway operating procedures. When the entire train was on the steepest part of the grade, it was not able to hold its speed at or below the maximum 15-mph limit. The train started its descent of Field Hill at approximately 2136. As the train progressed into the mountains, it encountered extreme cold temperatures (below −25 ☌). It travelled west on the Laggan Subdivision, which runs from Calgary to Field. ![]() The unit grain train, Footnote 1 hauling 112 loaded hopper cars, weighing 15 042 tons, and measuring 6676 feet long, had left Calgary, Alberta, at about 1430 Footnote 2 the previous day, operated by an inbound crew Footnote 3 consisting of a locomotive engineer and a conductor. The 3 crew members-a locomotive engineer, a conductor, and a conductor trainee-were fatally injured in the derailment. On 04 February 2019, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP) freight train 301-349 being operated by a relief crew derailed on Field Hill near Field, British Columbia, on a 13.5-mile section of track with a steep descending grade (average 2.2%) and several sharp curves.
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