No. P02/06
For release March 7, 2006

TRANSPORT CANADA REVISES CN’S
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE SQUAMISH AREA

VANCOUVER — Transport Canada today announced that the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) must retain a number of special safety requirements while operating on the Squamish route. CN has also received permission to increase the length of their distributed power operated northbound trains from 99 cars to a maximum of 114 cars in the area. This action follows completion of CN’s 60-day trial period on the rail line on February 11, 2006.

During the 60-day trial period, CN had to abide by a strict set of safety requirements to demonstrate they could operate safely on the Squamish route. Transport Canada inspectors carefully monitored their operations. There were no incidents.

A new Notice and Order, based on Transport Canada’s review of CN’s safety actions during the 60-day trial period, was issued effective today. The Notice and Order stipulates that CN must retain the following safety requirements: restrictions on how empty cars are handled, tests throughout the route to verify distributed power is working properly, a CN supervisor to augment and train any new crew member on the route, reduction of the number of stops on route, and special stall and emergency stop procedures. Transport Canada is allowing CN to increase the length of their distributed power operating northbound trains by 15 cars, in the Squamish area (the recent derailments have all occurred while trains have been travelling north). However, the length of CN’s conventional trains operating northbound in the Squamish area will still be restricted to 80 cars.

Transport Canada inspectors will continue to monitor trains on the Squamish route to ensure full compliance with the Railway Safety Act. The new Notice and Order will also be in effect for a 60-day trial. Any further changes to CN’s operations in the Squamish area will depend on Transport Canada’s assessment of those trial results.

Today’s announcement revokes the Notice and Order issued to CN on December 14, 2005.

A conventional train has locomotives at the front of the train pulling the rail cars. A distributed power operated train has locomotives at the front of the train as well as in the body of the train to push and pull the rail cars. This distributes power and traction more equally throughout the length of the train.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is currently investigating the recent CN derailments to determine the causes. Transport Canada is closely following the TSB’s ongoing investigations through a Minister’s Observer who was appointed after the accidents. The Minister’s Observer will advise the department of any regulatory responsibilities the department may have, and if necessary identify areas where immediate improvements to safety can be made.

As the railway regulator, Transport Canada is responsible under the Railway Safety Act for promoting, monitoring and enforcing compliance with existing rules and regulations. A Notice and Order is issued under Section 31 of the Railway Safety Act, when in the opinion of a Transport Canada railway safety inspector, there is an immediate threat to safe railway operations.

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