Lessons Learned from Accident Investigation of Longer, Heavier Trains

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Lessons Learned fromAccident Investigation
ofLonger, Heavier Trains

• International Heavy Haul Association
• Jonathan Seymour, Board MemberTransportation
  Safety Board of Canada
• Calgary, AlbertaJune 20, 2011

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Outline

• TSB mandate
• Watchlist Critical Safety Issues
• 2 Case Studies
• Other investigation findings
• Lessons learned
• Progress
• Looking ahead

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About the TSB

• Mandate To advance transportation safety in
  the air, marine, rail, and pipeline modes of
  transportation that are under federal
  jurisdiction by
• conducting independent investigations
• identifying safety deficiencies
• identifying causes and contributing factors
• making recommendations
• publishing reports

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• Fishing vessel safety
• Emergency preparedness on ferries
• Passenger trains colliding with vehicles
• Operation of longer,heavier trains
• Risk of collisions on runways
• Controlled flight into terrain
• Landing accidents and runway overruns
• Safety Management Systems
• Data recorders

WATCHLIST
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Watchlist (contd)

• Nine Watchlist issues underpinned by
• 41 recommendations
• Many investigation findings
• Inappropriate handling and marshalling can
  compromise the operation of longer, heavier
  trains.

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Why This Is An Issue
Aerial photo of derailed cars, Cobourg. ON
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Case Study 1 Brighton

• Eastbound Train
• 137 cars (11 845 tons, 8850 feet)
• 3 head-end locomotives
• Over 50 cars loads
• Majority of loads marshalled on rear
• Territory
• Undulating terrain
• Multi-track passenger and freight trains

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Brighton Train/Track Profile
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Brighton Findings

• Broken knuckle at 107th car emergency
• Rear collided with head-end portion
• Resultant in-train forces led to derailment
• Bail-off of independent brake did not reduce
  forces to a safe level
• Simulation Different marshalling would have led
  to significantly reduced forces

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Case Study 2 Drummondville

• Eastbound Train
• 105 cars (10 815 tons, 7006 feet)
• 5 head-end locomotives
• 50-car block of loaded grain cars on rear end
• Broken knuckle at 75th car
• Territory
• Single track
• Freight and passenger train operations daily

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Drummondville Train Profile
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Drummondville Findings

• Marshalling was a factor
• Front portion was on ascending grade
• Rear portion was on relatively flat segment
• high buff forces from heavy rear marshalling plus
  late bail off of independent brake
• Simulation Reverse marshalling would have meant
  minor buff forces.

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Other Investigation Findings

• Inappropriate throttle, dynamic and automatic
  brake use
• Emergency braking initiated from head end only
• Non-alignment control couplers
• Long Short car combinations
• Use of distributed power
• Technology can mitigate risks

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Lessons Learned

• Size and tonnage not sole factors
• Key Lesson
• Need to effectively manage in-train forces and
  how train interacts with track
• Systemic approach needed by operators

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Progress by Industry

• Both major players taking action
• Computerized marshalling management systems
• Enhancement to train braking system
• Greater use of distributed power
• Enhanced training and job aids for locomotive
  engineers
• Growth in use of technology

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Progress Regulator

• Transport Canada
• Expressed support for TSB views
• Sponsored research (Train separation on Kingston
  Subdivision)
• Sponsored research (How to improve handling
  longer trains)

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Progress a TSB Perspective

• Many safety communications, including
• 2004 Recommendation to TC
• 2007 Board Concern communicated
• 2010 TSB Watchlist
• 2011 Significant advances

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Whats Next?

• Operators responsible for managing safety
• Regulators responsible for overseeing safety
• TSB will continue to
• monitor progress
• investigate occurrences
• publish our findings
• make appropriate recommendations
• advocate for necessary changes

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Summary

• TSB Watchlist, concerns about LHT
• Key Lesson from Brighton, Drummondville
• Need to effectively manage in-train forces and
  how train interacts with track
• Additional investigation findings
• Progress
• major players are taking action
• TC supports our views
• TSB will monitor, report publically, advocate for
  change to address safety deficiencies

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Questions?
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