A CPR train derailed near the Corra Linn Dam just west of Nelson - 3 Apr 2012 Photographer unknown.

3 April 2012

Derailment Shuts CP Rail Line in West Kootenay for Second Time in a Week

Nelson British Columbia - The Canadian Pacific Rail line in B.C.'s West Kootenay has been shut down for the second time in less that a week after another derailment.
 
A westbound CPR train on the Kootenay Valley Rail line derailed above the Fortis BC Corra Linn power plant on Tuesday morning along the Kootenay River.
 
Four locomotives and eight rail cars in the 67-car train derailed as the train rounded a corner.
 
"All (engines and cars) are upright," said CPR spokesperson Ed Greenberg. "Nothing is leaking from the cars."
 
Both members of the train crew were in the first engine and walked away from the accident.
 
"There are no injuries (and) no risk to the public or environment," Greenberg said. "The cause is under investigation."
 
The CP rail line between Nelson and Creston had just re-opened two days before following a train derailment Friday that closed the track and sent an excavator that was being transported on a flat car into the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
 
Greenberg gave no timetable for the cleanup operations to be completed for the latest derailment.
 
"Our concern is to always ensure the site is safe and the necessary steps are taken during the clean-up operation."
 
In Friday's derailment, a rock slide knocked part of the train off the track.
 
Greenberg said the excavator remains sitting in a metre of water.
 
"We're still finalizing plans to remove (the excavator) but that may not happen until later this week or early next week," Greenberg said.
 
"We need to ensure the necessary manpower is in place before we remove it."
 
Bruce Fuhr.