The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate an incident where a VIA train struck object/s just east of Brighton on February 2, 2019 injuring three workers.
Communication spokesperson Chris Krespski stated in an e-mail on February 12, 2019 to Today’s Northumberland, “the TSB continues to gather information and assess this occurrence.”The preliminary report by the TSB states the incident happened at 10:08 a.m. when a VIA Rail passenger train “struck unknown object on the north main track.”
The summary states the train was travelling at 128 kph (80 mph) when it struck the object.
“This resulted in damage to VIA coach windows and mid-train locomotive. VIA 6407 sustained fuel tank puncture and leak. The collision also caused debris to strike a foreman’s vehicle standing nearby, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to all three occupants (sending on to hospital for care).”
No passengers were injured and emergency services along with rail officials responded.
Passenger Brien Convery was on the train heading to Kingston and told Today’s Northumberland he felt the impact of the collision.
“There was chunks of rocks and ice flying down the side of the train and some of it hit the windows,” Convery said at the time.
It took over two kilometres for the 11 car passenger train to come to a complete stop at Lawson Settlement Road east of Brighton.
Approximately 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel leaked out after the tank was punctured in various locations.
Convery said passengers had to stay on the train with no heat for several hours before the cars that weren’t damaged were allowed to carry on to Belleville train station.
Another passenger received an e-mail from the President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, Yves Desjardins-Siciliano.
“I would like to convey my sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to you as a result of the service disruption affecting VIA Rail Trains 52/62 on Saturday February 2nd, 2019.”
“Although on-time performance is a priority at VIA Rail, you will appreciate that operating difficulties beyond our control can occasionally cause delays despite our best efforts.”
Desjardins-Siciliano stated, “Trains 52/62 were delayed due to an incident caused by debris on the tracks.”
“As a measure of our concern, VIA Rail is exceptionally offering a refund of the fare paid for the affected segment in lieu of the credit offered on board.”
“Your travel experience is of great importance to us and it is for this reason that, on behalf of all of us at VIA Rail, I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for this disappointing situation and the resulting inconveniences caused to you.”
Metal railroad tie plates may have been the object/s that were struck by the VIA train sources told Today’s Northumberland.
Each plate weighs approximately nine kilograms (20 pounds) and were thrown up to a distance of 30 metres.
This has not been confirmed by either VIA Rail or the TSB.
Exclusive – Metal Railroad Tie Plates Believed To Be Cause Of Damage to VIA Train
Breaking News – Investigation Underway As VIA Train Collides With Object East of Brighton
Author: Pete Fisher
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