O-Train service resumes Saturday following minor derailment
Service will resume Saturday on Ottawa's Confederation Line, after OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group shutdown the O-Train line for five days following a minor train derailment.
Meantime, the investigation into the derailment has identified a problem in the axle bearing assembly as the root cause of the issue Sunday evening. The city says a bolt in the sealed axle bearing moved a small amount, damaging the bearing inside the unit and wheel and causing the axle to come off the track.
In a memo to Council, Transportation Services General Manager John Manconi said service will resume at 6 a.m. Saturday, with a reduced number of trains. Service will be running every 10 minutes as Rideau Transit Group and Rideau Transit Maintenance complete inspections on the trains.
On Monday, OC Transpo announced the two-year-old LRT system was shut down out of an "abundance of caution" after an axle became dislodged from the track. The Transportation Safety Board said it was told one of the train's wheels derailed while crossing the tracks near Tunney's Pasture Station Sunday evening.
Manconi says the investigation into the cause continues, however, the root cause investigation has identified the fault in the axle bearing assembly.
"As part of the investigation, the sealed unit was taken a part and it was found that the green section of the bolt, which should be completely tightened, had a very small amount of movement, by fractions of a millimetre," wrote Manconi. "This movement caused damage to the bearings inside the unit and wheel, which in turn lead to the axle coming off the track on Sunday evening."
OC Transpo shows an example of the interior of the sealed axle bearing unit on the Confederation Line trains. (Photo courtesy: City of Ottawa)
Manconi said RTM has implemented an inspection procedure that ensures the safe ongoing operation of the trains.
"They will continue to conduct these vehicle inspections until the matter is satisfactorily resolved and safety certified. We have also confirmed with RTM and Alstom that these axle components are in use in other light rail transit vehicles around the world," said Manconi.
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
The Transit Commission will receive an update on the investigation at its next meeting.
RETURN TO SERVICE
Manconi said Friday afternoon that Rideau Transit Maintenance is conducting final preparations and checks of the track in order to resume operations. Manconi adds all trains will be tested before the system resumes on Saturday.
"Trains will complete multiple passes along the alignment this afternoon to confirm everything is in working order and safe," said Manconi.
"RTM have also confirmed that trains that have undergone the safety certification and inspection process are cleared to go into service."
The O-Train will launch on Saturday with a reduced number of trains, running every 10 minutes.
"As more trains are cleared to return to service, the frequency and capacity of the line will be increased. This reduced frequency will provide enough capacity to carry all customers without overcrowding," said Manconi.
"OC Transpo will have buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.