CN Rail train derailment shuts down Sea to Sky Highway near Pemberton

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      The Sea to Sky Highway has reopened after a train derailment 10 kilometres south of Pemberton.

      According to Whistler Pemberton RCMP, a northbound CN Rail train derailed on an overpass this afternoon (January 3).

      "Three empty rail cars derailed with one falling from the overpass blocking Highway 99 below," reads a statement from police.

      That section of Highway 99 was closed for a damage assessment, but has since been opened to single-lane alternating traffic. As the remaining rail cars need to be removed, police expect this traffic pattern to remain in place until Friday morning (January 4) or later.

      There were no injuries, but one vehicle received "minor damage from flying debris". Police are still investigating the cause of the derailment.

      Comments

      5 Comments

      SPY vs SPY

      Jan 3, 2013 at 6:18pm

      When BC Rail was run by BC Rail, it limited trains to around 60 - 70 cars. There are so many curves & bends, that a longer train will pull the cars off of the tracks because of the lateral (sideways) force exerted on the cars and they go around a bend.

      This is why CN had a huge derailment when they took over BC Rail and started running trains of 80 - 100 cars through the Chekamus Canyon (up to Pemberton from North Vancouver).

      I would like to know how long this train was that caused todays derailment!!!!!

      Cheekeye

      Jan 4, 2013 at 6:04am

      CN was also known to have replaced superior mountain track with inferior prairie track.
      As well, they were traveling at higher speeds in these mountainous areas.

      I allege this was for the almighty dollar. And by the way | estimate that they didn't buy this line for a billion dollars. We paid them about $235 million to take it. Call for a Public Inquiry.

      Trevor Mills

      Jan 4, 2013 at 1:41pm

      There is a lot of snow up there right now. I believe that the siding switch just south of the bridge iced up and derailed the car and then the guardrails at the bridge pushed the car off the track. The track is straight here so there is no stringlining at this point.

      mr. white

      Jan 4, 2013 at 7:46pm

      the infamous old BC railroad,constant mountains an valley terrain were track can only be built with constant curves an very little tangent in order 2 get up the hills 6degree curve our biggest in southern ontario over the niagra escartment has a 15mph speed restriction with shorter trains an lower tonage, BC rail also always used dynamic braking system on their old trains which CN got in some trouble with one of their trains that didn,t have it. 2 out of 3 train men lost their lives because of it.the law of inertia an gravity is what it is u can only fold so much of a train in half,tilt it on it,s side so far ,make big double stacked heavy massive ton trains go so fast over these condition. the upper suppose 2 be so smart ceo,s an million dollar engineer,a an ivy league business school gradutes working 4 them should,ve figures this out. but they r so fat bottom line driven, money the root of all evil.

      charlie northrup

      Jan 5, 2013 at 3:29pm

      Oh no here we go again.....