Train derailment near Lundbreck (updated)

Crews cleaning up derailment November 10
T. Lucas photo

Canadian Pacific crew and RCMP near scene of derailment east of Lundbreck late night November 9
C. Davis photo

Chris Davis
updated

Pincher Creek Emergency Services, including Lundbreck fire, RCMP, and CP rail crews responded to a train derailment east of Lundbreck at the underpass that crosses Highway 3 at approximately 8:30 pm on November 9*.  18 cars of the train, which was transporting coal, impacted each other, possibly due to a snapped rail, causing the derailment.  A tweet by Canadian Pacific to the PCES twitter account @DeputyChiefPCES at 10:24 pm stated "No injuries or public safety issues. We are enacting all safety protocols as we address the incident."  The scene appeared to be contained at 10:30 pm.

In a statement responding to our inquiries today, November 10, Canadian Pacific spokeswoman Salem Woodrow confirmed 18 cars damaged in the incident. "Safety is priority at CP and we take every incident seriously. CP immediately enacted emergency protocols and all safety precautions and measures are being taken as our crews respond to the situation. This includes recovering spilled product."  On viewing the scene earlier this afternoon it was evident a significant amount of track was being replaced as well.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has announced they are deploying a team of investigators to the scene.  They are also investigating the site of a CP train derailment of empty grain cars near Pearce which occurred on November 6, 2014.  Pearce is northeast of Fort Macleod.

Transportation Safety Board photo of Pearce derailment

*corrected for accuracy