The Toronto Star reports, “The Canadian National freight train that skipped the rails in Brockville, Ont. early Thursday morning shut down the major rail artery east from Toronto… The 26-car derailment occurred beside a golf course on the western edge of the community of 40,000. …The train was eastbound when it jumped the tracks shortly before it would have entered the town, where the rails rub up against a hospital, schools and residential neighbourhoods. Of the derailed cars, 13 were tankers that had carried highly flammable aviation fuel, but were currently empty [at the time of the derailment].”
The article highlights, “‘It is only a matter of time before we see another Lac-Megantic’, said Michael Butler, a campaigner with the Council of Canadians who regularly blogs about rail safety issues. ‘I don’t feel this is hyperbole or alarmist … The nature of our railway industry — and its cargo — has changed, but the regulations which are supposed to be in place to protect our communities and environment seem to be stuck in the last century.'”
Among the reasons for this concern:
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“A Star investigation found that, over two 12-hour periods alone, hundreds of tankers carrying crude oil, radioactive material and toxic chemicals trundled through Toronto.” -
“Shipments of volatile crude oil have risen dramatically. Figures provided by Transport Canada, which regulates federal railroads, showed that nearly 128,000 carloads of crude moved in Canada in 2013, compared with about 53,000 the year before. In 2009, only 144 carloads of crude were shipped.” -
[In 2013], seven accidents resulted in a dangerous-goods release, more than double the five-year average of three. Five of the seven were crude oil.”
Mike Butler’s blogs on oil by rail:
Derailment too close for comfort: Brockville narrowly dodges disaster
Just another Friday: Chlorine tankers in Oakville and Bomb-trains in Hamilton
Pt. 2: Dr.ed- strangelaws or: hob I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb-train
Pt. 1: DR.-ed strangelaws or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb-train
It’s our right to know, Rail Safety Matters
Getting railroaded with DOT-111 Tanker Trains in Toronto
Lisa Raitt and Stephen Harper Still Playing Dangerous Petro Politicking With Our Communities
DOT-111 Detecting Disaster Spotters Guide
Could Toronto be the next Lac-Mégantic disaster
