Monday, August 06, 2007

CN rail points to "human error" in Prince George derailment

The Transportation Safety Board has just begun their investigation, but as far as CN seems to be concerned the problem on Saturday that resulted in a train crash and derailment in Prince George was human error.

And while the latest high profile derailment may provide some added public attention to the rail road's continuing problems in BC, another story is starting to add some fuel to the fire on safety related incidents.

CKPG television reports that CN is looking into a report that claims rail workers are being pressured to boost production by increasing the number of cars being transported through the province's rail yards.

One of the other issues that seems to be percolating on the safety front, is the process of marshaling the trains in the yards, Opinion 250 was reporting this weekend that the trains in question, we're being operated by management personnel. Other reports on Saturday had it that the trains were being operated by remote control, with no engineers in the cabs of either engine at the time. The incident has been described as a runaway train and subsequent crash.

Saturday's problems took place across the Fraser River across from a major downtown park in the city. A near miss in a populated part of Northern BC that will no doubt find CN Rail under closer watch regarding its train loads and safety procedures.

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