(The following story by Ian Hitchen appeared on the Winnipeg Free Press website on February 12, 2010.)
BRANDON — Some Via Rail Canada passengers had to either bunk down in trains or make alternative travel plans when their route was blocked by a 56-car train derailment near Rivers Thursday.
The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. on Canadian National Railway’s main line, about 16 kilometres west of Rivers. The 99-car train was headed east at the time of the crash. Investigators are still working to determine the cause. All 99 cars, including the 56 derailed cars, were loaded with potash and no dangerous goods were on board.
No one was reported injured.
One train heading westbound from Toronto to Vancouver carried 85 passengers.
Via Rail spokeswoman Catherine Kaloutsky said the train was held in Winnipeg and passengers were given the chance to tour the provincial capital until 8 p.m. Thursday. Once back at the station, they were able to reboard the train.
Paul Filipowitz, a Winnipeg man who chose to wait it out in the downtown area all day, said the mood of the passengers was upbeat.
“Some of them were a little put out, but most made the best of the situation,” he offered while relaxing in the Main Street station Thursday night. “A lot of people just walked over to The Forks and killed time there. A buddy met me and we went for fish and chips.”
Passengers were told they would pull out of Winnipeg at 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, an eastbound train that originated in Vancouver and was bound for Toronto stopped in Melville, Sask. It carried 41 passengers, but 17 headed for locations between Melville and Winnipeg were to be bused to their destinations.
The remainder bound for points east of Winnipeg were given the choice of waiting on the train or being bused to Winnipeg where they could make alternative arrangements.