A CP Rail train was derailed due to an avalanche in Glacier National Park.
The incident occurred Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m.
According to a statement from CP Rail, there were no injuries to the crew.
“Seven intermodal platforms derailed as a result of the avalanche,” said Salem Woodrow, media relations advisor for CP Rail, in an email.
According to the Transportation Safety Board’s Rail Daily Notification Report, the train was stopped at Wakely mile 75 Mountain Sub waiting for exhaust from another train to be vented from the Mt. MacDonald Tunnel.
“When the train was ready to proceed the engineer was unable to get the train to move,” the report reads.
The conductor walked back and discovered an avalanche had hit the train.
The rail line was reopened on the evening of Dec. 22 once all track repairs and safety inspections were complete.
Though the incident occurred in a national park, Parks Canada deferred all comment to CP Rail.
“Parks Canada has been working with CP in Glacier National Park to ensure the safety of response crews,” said Shelley Bird, communications officer for Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation also deferred a statement to CP Rail, as they do their own avalanche control, said a spokesperson for the ministry.
Transport Canada deferred a statement to the Transportation Safety Board, who said there were no dangerous goods on board the derailed cars won’t be investigating the incident any further as avalanches are out of their purview.
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