EDMONTON — A report blames the derailment of CN freight cars in Alberta on track problems caused by too much rail traffic, including increased shipments of dangerous goods such as crude oil.
The Transportation Safety Board says 17 cars carrying diesel fuel residue derailed on June 11, 2014, near the hamlet of Faust on the shores of Lesser Slave Lake.
The report says nothing spilled and there were no injuries, but it notes the train was also carrying 20 cars of crude oil that didn't derail.
The safety board says track conditions could not handle traffic that has increased significantly and adds there were a total of six derailments in the region in 2014 — all of which involved track-related failures.
The report warns if the impact of increased traffic on tracks isn't dealt with, the risk of derailments in the area will increase.
The TSB says since the derailment, Canadian National (TSX:CNR) has bolstered restrictions on train braking to prevent track damage and has increased tests, inspections and maintenance on the line.