A Canadian Pacific Railway Company train crew did not apply enough force or allow enough time for the slack between the cars to fully adjust before applying the emergency air brakes, leading to a March 13, 2022, uncontrolled movement and derailment of several rail cars in CP’s Toronto Yard.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the crew initially secured the cars using six hand brakes and then performed a hand brake effectiveness test to confirm that there was sufficient brake force to keep the rolling stock from moving on its own. After judging the test to be successful, the crew applied the emergency air brakes.
Consequently, the hand brake effectiveness test was incomplete, and the crew was unaware that the number of hand brakes used to secure the cars was insufficient for the descending grade.
103 rail cars ran uncontrolled for about 3,200 feet down a descending grade of a track in Toronto Yard. The seven leading cars derailed, three of which were loaded with sulphuric acid.
There were no leaks, and no one was injured.
TC subsequently conducted inspections and issued a Notice under Section 31 of the Railway Safety Act, prompting CP to take safety actions. CP introduced a revised operating bulletin to be used when securing rail equipment in the yard, as well as conducting further education, training, and safety blitzes for employees working at the yard.
