Broken rail behind 2019 derailment near Warman

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released a report on its investigation into the Canadian National Rail derailment on Jan. 22, 2019 near Warman.

The report, released on Thursday, identifies several factors leading up to a broken rail and derailment on Highway 11 at Wanuskewin Road.

“At 9:23 a.m. local time, the train experienced a rough ride as it crossed over the median,” the report read. “A minute later a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred as 29 loaded grain cars and a mid-train locomotive derailed.”

The derailment sparked a fire, which was quickly extinguished, according to the TSB report.

No dangerous goods were involved.

The investigation identified a missing railhead at a joint between two pieces of rail left a gap.

As the train moved over it caused more damage until the rail failed under the 27th car, the report said.

During the investigation, the TSB discovered it was the same piece recently repaired using rail manufactured in 1953.

Highway 11 was fully closed for about a day while crews worked to clear the derailment and make repairs.

The report established that the Warman Subdivison had an increase in traffic, but had not increased the frequency of inspections as is required.