Rail transportation safety investigation R18C0076

Update: The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 04 March 2019.

Table of contents

    Main-track derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway
    Freight train A13-31
    Mile 50.7, Montana Subdivision
    Stirling, Alberta

    The occurrence

    On , a Canadian Pacific train travelling southward went into emergency at Mile 50.7 of the Montana Subdivision near Stirling, Alberta. The inspection revealed that 16 loaded cars containing canola derailed. No injuries have been reported and no dangerous goods were involved. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    News Releases

    2019-03-04

    Investigation report: July 2018 main-track derailment near Stirling, Alberta
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2018-07-30

    TSB deploys a team to a derailment near Lethbridge, Alberta

    The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailment near Lethbridge, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence. No dangerous goods were involved and there were no injuries.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R18C0076

    Main-track derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway
    Freight train A13-31
    Mile 50.7, Montana Subdivision
    Stirling, Alberta

      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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.