Rail transportation safety investigation R19V0002

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 19 July 2023.

Table of contents

    Main-track train derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway Company
    Freight train 401-02
    Mile 128.9, Laggan Subdivision
    Partridge, British Columbia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On , at approximately 1015 Mountain Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway Company freight train 401-02 was proceeding westward on the Laggan Subdivision when 15 empty cars derailed in the Upper Spiral Tunnel at Mile 128.9, near Partridge, British Columbia. There was no fire, and no dangerous goods were involved in the derailment. No one was injured.

    Media materials

    News release

    2023-07-19

    Undesired release of air brakes led to 2019 freight train derailment in the Upper Spiral Tunnel, British Columbia
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2019-01-04

    TSB deploys a team of investigators to the site of a train derailment near Field, British Columbia

    The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a Canadian Pacific train derailment near Field, British Columbia. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R19V0002

    Main-track train derailment
    Canadian Pacific Railway Company
    Freight train 401-02
    Mile 128.9, Laggan Subdivision
    Partridge, British Columbia

    Photos

    Image
    TSB investigator looking at derailed cars

      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

    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.