Main-track derailment
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway
Mile 25.4, Wacouna Subdivision
Sept-Îles, Quebec
The occurrence
On 03 November 2024, a train operated by Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, consisting of 240 cars loaded with iron ore, derailed approximately 25 miles north of Sept-Îles, Quebec. The first 7 cars derailed when the train was travelling southward at approximately 22 mph.
The main track was damaged over approximately 250 feet, but there were no injuries nor damage to the environment. The TSB is investigating.
Investigation information
R24Q0089
Main-track derailment
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway
Mile 25.4, Wacouna Subdivision
Sept-Îles, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Patrick Sirois joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2020 as a Senior Regional Investigator with the Rail/Pipeline Investigations Branch.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Sirois gained considerable experience in railway operations at Canadian National Railway Company (CN) from 2007 to 2016 holding various positions as a train conductor, locomotive engineer and trainmaster. Mr. Sirois is a member of the Air Brake Association, an educational organization dedicated to the development and improvement of braking systems in the railroad industry. Mr. Sirois also holds a degree in broadcasting from the Cité Collégiale in Ottawa and has several years of experience in the field of electronic media and in the telecommunications industry. He lives in Montréal, Quebec.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.