The intersection of Lineham Avenue and North Railway Avenue in Okotoks - Date/Photographer unknown - Google Street View.

23 May 2013

Vandals Suspected as Lone Rail Car
Rolls Through Okotoks

Okotoks Alberta - Vandals may be to blame after a single rail car rolled through the town of Okotoks south of Calgary Wednesday night and crossed an intersection before coming to a stop, say officials.
 
The lone car was sitting empty on a secondary track, called a backtrack, with all safety applications properly applied to hold the car in place, said Canadian Pacific Railway spokeswoman Breanne Feigel.
 
"Indications are the car's handbrake was tampered with in an act of vandalism," Feigel said, adding the car was recently inspected.
 
The car started rolling at about 9 p.m. and travelled about 460 metres, crossing the intersection of Lineham Avenue and North Railway Avenue, before a safety system called a derail kicked in to prevent the car from continuing any further.
 
The car eventually stopped on the track about 50 metres from the intersection.
 
Okotoks RCMP say it's fortunate the rail crossing gates, lights, bells, and signals were activated at the intersection and no vehicles were struck and no one was injured.
 
"It was called in right away, which is good. Also, the arms were activated even though it wasn't a locomotive. That's a good thing," said Sgt. Donna Rorison.
 
RCMP and CP Rail continue to investigate.
 
Clara Ho.

Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Canada