Investigation into Alberta train derailment shows track was in 'deteriorated condition'
Dozens of cars were broken and spilled grain in 2022 incident
A train derailment near Bassano, Alta., in July 2022 was caused by a track buckle, according to a Transportation and Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into the incident.
The report, released Wednesday, shows the track structure was in a deteriorated condition that made it more susceptible to buckling.
"Inspection data gave clear indications that the track was vulnerable to compressive forces, yet they were not analyzed for trends or safety concerns," reads a statement from the TSB.
"There is no documented evidence that CP's safety management system process was applied."
On July 13, 2022, a Canadian Pacific Railway train carrying grain was headed westward on the Brooks Subdivision when 41 hopper cars derailed near the town of Bassano, located about 140 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
Thirty-nine of the derailed cars were broken and spilled grain.
There were no injuries reported and no dangerous goods were being transported.
"Although work was done to mitigate the risk up to three years before the occurrence, persistent compressive forces in the rail had since built up," said the TSB.
"The elevated compressive forces in the track, along with the dynamic forces from the moving train, reduced the track's lateral resistance and caused the track to shift out of alignment and buckle, leading to the derailment."
The railway company, which has since merged and become Canadian Pacific Kansas City, renewed the track and made changes to maintenance procedures after the incident, according to the TSB.