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R09W0016 - Rolling Stock Damage Without Derailment or Collision, Canadian National, Freight Train Number M-30451-11, Mile 238.30, Redditt Subdivision, Dugald, Manitoba - 14 January 2009 (R10-01)
TSB Full-Text Report (R09W0016):
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/rail/2009/r09w0016/r09w0016.asp
TSB Recommendation R10-01
Tracking Tank Car Stub Sill Failures – (Action required, as presented in the TSB Report)
The Board recommends that:
"The Department of Transport, in conjunction with the railway industry and other North American regulators, establish a protocol for reporting and analyzing tank car stub sill failures so that unsafe cars are repaired or removed from service." (10-01)
Transport Canada's Response (R10-01)
(signed by the Minister on November 25, 2010)
Transport Canada (TC) accepts the intent of the recommendation R10-01. TC recognizes the importance of having appropriate data through effective reporting systems to protect public safety in the transport of dangerous goods.
Following this accident, TC has analyzed the current data on tank car stub sill failures to identify trends and anomalies, and will continue this work as more information becomes available. In January 2010, TC initiated an inspection program with its federal inspectors to conduct inspections of stub sills on rail tank cars.
While a North America system exists for tracking stub sill repairs, TC is committed to working with the industry and other North America regulators to take appropriate steps to improve data collection and reporting requirements. TC has ongoing meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the American Association of Railroads to investigate both the particulars of this accident and the associated data collection concerns. As a consequence, TC and the FRA are considering implementing additional interim reporting requirements for industry.
Over the next 3-4 years, TC will be conducting a full review and update of reporting requirements in Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. This review will consider any interim measures adopted, and assess the need for further regulatory changes to improve reporting of stub sill failures.