CP Rail took more than a day to notify the Transportation Safety Board about a derailment that took place in Glacier National Park, the Times Review was told.
James Carmichael, a senior investigator with the TSB, said they were only notified of the derailment Wednesday morning — more than 24 hours after five cars jumped the track on the Stoney Creek Bridge.
"It is a concern," he said. "The head office will be looking into the delay in reporting."
A CP Rail train derailed on the Stoney Creek Bridge near the east end of Glacier National Park on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at around 5:30 a.m.
CP Rail spokesperson Salem Woodrow said five empty flat cars derailed. She denied reports the cars were dangling in the air off the bridge, which sits almost 100 metres above Stoney Creek.
Woodrow said there were no injuries, no spills and no public safety concerns.
TSB regulations require railway companies to report incidents "as soon as possible and by the quickest means available."
Woodrow said CP Rail would be looking into the delay in reporting, saying it was company policy to report incidents as soon as possible.
"It is part of our processes to contact them immediately," she said.
Carmichael said the TSB was investigating the derailment.
"We just found out about it earlier on today," he said. "We're starting to do our investigative work. We have not deployed yet."
He said investigators would look at how the train was being handled, the condition of the track, how the train was marshalled, and any mechanical issues.
The fact it took place on a bridge raises special concerns, said Carmichael. "We've had a couple of other incidents in the last few years where other structures were involved," he said. "They're an integral part of the railway network."
Here is our original story on the derailment, posted Wednesday morning:
A CP Rail train derailed on the Stoney Creek Bridge in Glacier National Park early Tuesday morning, the Times Review has learned.
Salem Woodrow, a spokesperson for CP Rail, confirmed the derailment, which took place Tuesday, Jan. 13, at about 5:30 a.m.
She said five empty flat cars derailed while crossing the bridge. There were no injuries, nothing was spilled and there were no public safety concerns.
The Times Review has contacted the Transportation Safety Board and Parks Canada to see if they have any concerns.
The Stoney Creek Bridge is regarded as one of the most scenic railway bridges in the world. It sits 90 metres above Stoney Creek, towards the eastern end of Glacier National Park.
Woodrow said CP trains were being routed around the site of the derailment.