Ottawa Ontario - Canada's Minister of Transport on Friday issued an order modifying previous rules regarding train operation in cold weather, basing the new rule on temperatures rather than a winter date range.
 
As with the previous rule, issued in April, the revised rule issued by Minister Marc Garneau places speed restrictions on trains based on the type and number of hazardous-material loads in the train consist.
 
The new rules set speed limits for higher-risk key trains, those carrying crude oil, or liquefied petroleum gas, in blocks of 20 or more cars, or a total of 35 or more cars, at 50 mph outside of metropolitan areas in signaled territory.
 
Within metropolitan areas, the speed limit is 30 mph above minus 25 degrees Celcius and 25 mph at or below minus 25.
 
In non-signaled territory, there are four speed limits ranging from 25 to 50 mph, depending on temperature (above or at or below minus 15 Celcius), within or outside metropolitan areas, and the presence of broken rail detectors.
 
Author unknown.