Guernsey derailments appear to be caused by track infrastructure issues

Twice in the span of two months a Canadian Pacific train carrying petroleum crude oil derailed near Guernsey, Saskatchewan, spilling more than 3 million litres of oil.

According to a letter written by the Transportation Safety Board’s acting director of investigations, Dan Holbrook, both derailments appear to be caused by track infrastructure issues.

“There were two significant derailments near Guernsey, both of which resulted in the release of substantial amounts of petroleum crude oil,” the letter read. “While both investigations are ongoing, in both cases, the suspected cause appears to be related to a broken rail.”

The letter goes on to say that of the seven derailments in Canada since 2015 that involved tank cars carrying crude oil, all of them have been a result of failing track infrastructure.

“Six of these derailments resulted in a significant release of petroleum crude oil. A review of the accidents revealed that each of the seven derailments occurred on a key route on which the track was maintained in accordance with the TSR (track safety rules) Class 3 or 4 standard,” the letter read.

“In each case, the derailments occurred as a result of a broken rail, broken joint bars or other track infrastructure condition.”

According to Holbrook, the current track safety rules (TSR) put in place by Transport Canada may not be adequate.

“Considering the 2015 CN derailments on the Ruel Subdivision (in Ontarion) and the recent CP experience on the Sutherland Subdivision (in Saskatchewan), maintaining track to the TSR minimum standards on key routes may not be adequate to protect against derailments,” he said in the letter.

“Considering that the underlying causes of the seven accidents identified were all related to failures of track infrastructure, Transport Canada is advised that the current TSR do not address the increased risks associated with the operation of key trains. Therefore, Transport Canada should consider revising the Rules Respecting Track Safety to include enhanced track standards for key routes.”

The Reeve of the R.M. of Usborne, Jack Gibney has said he has already noticed CP workers have been out working on the tracks and hopes this is the issue they are working on fixing.

“I just took a drive out there to see what was going on. There is lots of CP trucks out there and that is what they must be doing is laying the rails out beside the tracks,” he said. “They must be planning on a major rebuild for the summer.”

Although he is happy to see work being done to fix the issues that lead to 85 people in the area being evacuated from their homes in February, he hopes in the future there will be better communication from CP.

“Ever since the accident was over it’s kind of been hush hush as far as the municipality. But ya they are working at it and we are hoping they can get it cleaned up here as quick as possible,” said Gibney.

“I think that one by Guernsey there is still quite a ways to go yet by the looks of the holes they dug. But hopefully it’s all back to normal here soon.”