A CN freight train derailment at Brockville, southwest of Ottawa, is blocking Via Rail passenger service on the Toronto-Montreal and Toronto-Ottawa routes. A CN spokeswoman says no one was injured when the 26-car eastbound freight train derailed near the eastern Ontario city at about 4 a.m. today. She says the freight train included two loaded automobile carriers and had five cars carrying carbon powder and 13 unloaded fuel tank cars.
Via Rail says it will transport passengers using buses until the derailment site is cleared but did not know exactly how long the disruption would last.
About 3600 VIA Rail passengers are affected by the derailment. A total of 29 trains won't be on the track today. However, passengers travelling between Ottawa and Montreal are not affected by the derailment.
A CN spokeswoman says the route will be blocked at least for the morning and the site is being assessed for any possible leaks.
The Transportation Safety Board has investigators on scene. A spokesperson says it generally takes at least a day to investigate derailments. The TSB must release the site before CN can clear debris and reopen the tracks.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Advisory: Due to a CN train derailment, service btw TO-OTT & TO-MTL is replaced by alternate transportation. INFO: viarail.ca 1 888 842 7245
— VIA_Rail (@VIA_Rail) July 10, 2014
Crews are working hard to clear the tracks. He sweient has stalled VIA passenger service btwn TO & MTL @ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/JbeWcj9xB4
— Catherine Lathem (@CatherineCTV) July 10, 2014
2 rail cars carrying vehicles. 5 carrying carbon powder. 13 were unloaded fuel tanks. CN says no risk to public pic.twitter.com/DLZDWJhozw
— Catherine Lathem (@CatherineCTV) July 10, 2014
One of the cars derailed near brockville. CN train derailed around 4:10am @ctvottawa #ottnews pic.twitter.com/1dfMv89p50
— Catherine Lathem (@CatherineCTV) July 10, 2014
More to come...
