The derailment looking west - Date/Photographer unknown - TSB.

3 September 2013

High Winds Major Cause of July 2012 Derailment in Poplar Point Manitoba

Gatineau Quebec - Citing weather conditions as a major factor in the accident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada today released its investigation report R12W0165 into the derailment of a freight train near Poplar Point, Manitoba.
 
There were no injuries and no dangerous goods were released.
 
On 29 Jul 2012 a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train left Winnipeg, Manitoba, travelling westward en route to Brandon, Manitoba, on CP's Carberry Subdivision.
 
The train consisted of 2 locomotives and 56 cars configured to hold containers.
 
The cars were double stacked with empty containers.
 
At approximately 6 p.m., while travelling at about 27 mph through severe weather, the crew received a radio call from the CP Rail Traffic Controller (RTC).
 
The RTC warned the crew of high winds in the area and advised them to take the necessary precautions.
 
Almost simultaneously, a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred and the train came to a stop at mile 35.0 near Poplar Point, Manitoba.
 
Twelve cars had derailed during high winds and heavy rain in the area.
 
The investigation found that a delayed notification of the weather conditions to the train crew resulted in the train continuing into the severe weather area and that the container cars were likely blown over by high winds resulting from severe weather.
 
Canadian Pacific Railway has taken steps to amend its Severe Weather Warning Procedure to ensure that train crews are aware of the risk of encountering high winds.
 
Author unknown.

Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Canada