Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin has been very vocal about her concerns regarding rail safety in the past.
After listening to an audio recording of CN ordering a fatigued conductor to work which was posted by Teamsters Canada, Martin has a message to CN Rail.
“Do not jeopardize the safety of people – do not.”
The recording, over seven minutes long, was posted Monday, November 25, 2019. It is of and is a CN supervisor/chief rail traffic controller (RTC), ordering a fatigued conductor to continue working for several hours.
It was recorded on October 19, 2018 near Pickering, Ontario. CN wanted the fatigued train crew to continue working for several hours, operating a locomotive uphill through residential areas east of Toronto.
Teamsters Canada said the Rail Traffic Controller “ignored pleas from the conductor.”
The conductor has over 30 years’ experience, and states in the recording that he and the locomotive engineer are too fatigued and are unfit to operate a train. The workers had notified CN hours earlier of their need to be relieved by another crew and to rest.
Because the conductor did not move the train he was suspended for 14 days without pay as a result.
Martin has been vocal about her concerns with CN Rail after numerous incidents of rail cars separating along the rail line that runs through her community and blocking rail crossings.
After listening to the audio, Martin says she is even more concerned as the issue reminded her of a CN train “de-coupling” that happened in May 2019.
Martin had gone to the crossing and found only two people were operating a “very long” train. One of the personnel was required to walk the length of the train several times to investigate the cause of the railway cars detaching and then wait for instructions and dispatched CN personnel to arrive at the scene. That delay meant the crew was nearing, or possibly exceeding, maximum number of hours a crew is allowed to work.
“If people are overtired and are trying to obey regulations and the law but are apparently encouraged not to do so – this is particularly alarming,” Martin says.
“It’s frightening. These trains are often carrying things that could have significant consequences if they de-rail or are in an accident. They are going through highly populated areas. Not only that, there is the environmental aspect.”
In the past, Martin has found it frustrating to deal with a large organization like CN Rail because Cramahe Township is a small community which has 22 rail crossings near the shores of Lake Ontario. The rail line is a major artery of business operation for not only Canada, but North America.
“If there is safety being jeopardized, that is not acceptable,” Martin says.
She recognizes there is a strike on, “but that doesn’t negate the fact this is a true safety issue that is being raised by this sound clip.
“My concern is what is happening as these trains go through our communities.”
Transport Canada is the federal authority overseeing the operation of the rail lines.
“If rules start to be broken or there are ‘grey areas’ of interpretation, you’re messing with the lives of communities along the whole line.”
Cramahe Township has been working for several years trying to get the Barnes Road bridge re-built to reconnect over 25 residences which are “fundamentally isolated” for quick emergency response Martin says.
“This poses challenges for fire trucks, paramedics etc. But, we can’t seem to get any further – nothing happens. It’s been over seven years now.”
“I represent a small municipality. I don’t know what it will takes to actually be heard and resolution realized.
“But as I speak, I am sure there are people and municipalities all along these rail corridors of like mind and with similar concerns.”
One other statement Martin wants to convey to CN Rail: “This voice is not going away. Cramahe Township and myself will keep speaking up.”
For link of audio click here
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
