(The following story by Frank Peebles appeared on the Prince George Citizen website on August 7.)
PRINCE GEORGE — Transport Canada has served CN Rail with a list of conditions under which it must operate on the rail line where a pair of trains carrying hazardous materials collided on Saturday.
CN said today it is already implementing the orders.
“Transport Canada had a dangerous goods inspector and a rail safety inspector on the scene after the derailment,” said Sara Hof, spokeswoman for the federal transportation regulator.
“A rail safety inspector determined there was more action needed and a Notice in Order was issued (Sunday).
Six conditions related to the rail line in question were specified in the letter to CN. They are:
— The maximum number of cars permitted to be handled is restricted to 30 loads or 40 cars with a minimum of 10 empties.
— Movements will not be protected by a point protection zone. “This compels train operators to visually confirm the track is clear,” said Hof, instead of relying on electronic sensors which can lead to a false sense of security by operators and higher speed movements of trains. The order is designed to slow trains down.
— An employee must physically be on the leading end of equipment when the view of the leading end is expected to or no longer becomes visible from the switching lead. This means the track must be visible at all times to the employees involved in switching activity.
— A sufficient number of cars handled must have operative air brakes which will permit control of the movement.
— All data related to the reported braking performance, inspection and repairs for yard engines assigned to switching duties be retained for 30 days and Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Division will be monitoring the data records to make sure the conditions are met.
— The Notice in Order also reinforces that all remote-control locomotive operators switching between these locations are properly trained, qualified and familiar with the equipment and the territory in which they are operating.
“Transport Canada will also be assessing all operations in the area and there may be requirement for further regulatory action,” Hof added.