CN crew error in sideswipe accident with VIA train

[John Ashworth]

CN crew actions led to VIA train's sideswipe accident, TSB says

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report on a September 2019 sideswipe collision between a VIA Rail Canada train and two tank cars in Ernestown, Ontario, finding that switching moves by a Canadian National crew caused two cars to derail and foul the main line, where they were struck by the passenger train...

Cars being switched by crew of CN local 519 were shoved through the end of the track where they were to be set out, striking and derailing the tank cars on the adjacent track, which caused those cars to foul the main line. The VIA train was traveling at 62 mph when the crew spotted the cars fouling the main line and was unable to stop. The incident could potentially have been much more serious had the VIA train derailed; about 9 seconds after its collision with the tank cars, a westbound VIA train passed going 89 mph. Transport Canadian subsequently issued a letter to CN for non-compliance with the rule requiring a crew member to be in position to observe and control a shoving move.