Rail transportation safety investigation R16W0004
The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 29 March 2017.
Table of contents
Main-track train derailmen
Canadian National Railway Company
Freight train M31331-07
Mile 13.45, Redditt Subdivision
Webster, Ontario
The occurrence
On , at 0802 Central Standard Time, Canadian National Railway Company freight train M31331 07 was proceeding westward on the Redditt Subdivision at about 46 mph when a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred at Mile 21.74, near Webster, Ontario. Subsequent inspection determined that a total of 26 cars (29 platforms) had derailed. The derailed cars included 6 Class 111 dangerous goods residue tank cars that had last contained diesel fuel (UN 1202). There were no injuries and no product was released.
Media Materials
News release
Broken wheel led to January 2016 derailment near Webster, Ontario
Read the news release
Investigation information
Map showing the location of the occurrence
Investigator-in-charge
Giorgio Celere joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in January of 2015. Before joining the TSB, Mr. Celere was with Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway for 33 years. For the majority of his career he was in CP’s material engineering laboratory, where he obtained experience and formal education in material testing/inspection, welding, metallurgy and failure analysis. He also acquired an extensive background in mechanical and engineering operations, developed portions of CP’s Train Accident Cause-Finding Seminar and assisted in its delivery.
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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.