Train carrying crude oil derails near Gogama

A train derailment near Gogama, Ontario (about 80 km south of Timmins) is playing havoc with trans-Canada rail traffic.

A train derailment near Gogama, Ontario (about 80 km south of Timmins) is playing havoc with trans-Canada rail traffic.

VIA Rail has issued a travel advisory warning passengers that rail service between Toronto and Winnipeg is canceled as a result of the derailment.

"VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) wishes to inform its passengers that, due to a CN freight train derailment blocking the main line some 180 km northwest of Sudbury, trains #1 and #2 (the eastbound and westbound Canadian) operating between Toronto and Winnipeg will not operate until confirmation has been received from CN that the rail line is again passable," says the advisory. "Service between Winnipeg and Vancouver is not affected."

VIA also says it will provide alternate transportation to customers already en route or scheduled to board the train today, for those passengers travelling between Toronto and Winnipeg, in both directions.

The full text of a release from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada follows.

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys team to crude oil train derailment and fire 80 km south of Timmins, Ontario

RICHMOND HILL, ON, - (Feb. 15, 2015) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to a derailment and fire involving a crude oil train operated by CN approximately 80 km south of Timmins, Ontario.

The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

About the TSB

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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