TSB Links Heavy Cars & Weak Infrastructure To Gogama Derailment

By Angela Gemmill

Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board think they’ve determined what went wrong in the March 7th derailment near Gogama.

Thirty-nine cars came off the tracks, including five either submerged or partially submerged in the nearby Makami River.

The TSB believes infrastructure is to blame.

In a four-page report issued today, the TSB states heavily-loaded tank cars impart higher than usual force to track infrastructure, which in turn exposes weaknesses in the track.

A section of broken rail within a plug rail joint had been installed just two days prior to the derailment.

That component has been sent to an engineering lab for further analysis.

The TSB has also issued a Safety Advisory letter to Transport Canada demanding higher standards for tank cars carrying flammable liquids.

The CN freight train was carrying crude oil and just how much of that product spilled into the environment is still undetermined.

You can read the latest report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada here: www.bst-tsb.gc.ca

(Picture Above: Investigators from Transportation Safety Board looking into March 7/15 derailment near Gogama)

(Picture Below: Broken rail in joint bars and wheel flange damage to top of joint bar)