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Published: March 17th 2010
Source: The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)
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The Problem
Inappropriate handling and marshalling can compromise the safe
operation of longer, heavier trains.
Background
Freight trains cross the country every day. The length of each
train, as well as the manner in which its cars are marshalled, or
put together, affects the forces involved during train handling.
Lighter cars, for example, slow down and speed up more quickly than
heavier ones, generating disruptive push/pull forces that can derail
the train. This effect is more pronounced in longer trains,
particularly when empty cars are located at the front. Since 2000,
the TSB has investigated at least 12 derailments where these
in-train forces have been a causal or contributing factor, and the
problem is growing. Not only are trains involved in main-track
derailments heavier than ever, they are longer, too—over 25 per cent
from just 15 years ago. Some of today's longer, heavier trains
stretch over three kilometres in length and contain 150 cars or
more. These trains are seeing expanded use across Canada, including
into the country's busiest traffic corridors. The consequences of
any derailment, therefore, can become magnified, and it is important
that those who identify and monitor the risks be able to mitigate
them.
Solution
Following the 2007 derailment of a freight train near Cobourg,
Ontario, the TSB once again drew attention to train configuration
and braking, expressing concern that effective measures have not
been taken to reduce the continued risks of derailment.
The TSB has issued four other safety communications since 2001 all
dealing with the safe operation of longer, heavier trains. Despite
these efforts, some railways have not taken sufficient steps
required to safely manage these in-train forces.
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Railways need to take further
steps to ensure the appropriate handling and marshalling of
longer, heavier trains. Detailed risk assessments are required
whenever operating practices change. |
-
TSB
Investigation Report
R01M0061 and
TSB
Occurrence Summary R01T0026↑
-
TSB
Investigation Reports
R00Q0023,
R01M0061,
R01T0006,
R02C0050,
R02W0060,
R05C0082,
R07T0110 and
R07D0009 and
TSB
Occurrence Summaries R01T0026, R05T0070, R05D0039 and R05T0051↑
- Between 1995 and 1999, average mass of trains involved
in main-track derailments was 5130 tonnes, average length was
4097 feet, and average number of cars per train was 66. Between 2005
and 2009, average mass increased to 7163 tonnes, average length
increased to 5173 feet, and average number of cars per train was 79.↑
- Rail Safety Advisory (RSA) 02/06↑
- Rail Safety Information letter (RSI) 14/07,
RSA 08/07,
RSA 09/07, Safety
Concerns (i)
R07T0110 and (ii)
R07T0110↑
- Recommendation
R04-01, Safety Concern
R02C0050, RSI
08-02 and RSA 02-06↑
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