tags: Energy Incidents, train incidents, possible sabotage, runaway train, city center destroyed
Accident or terrorist sabotage? All started when an engineer walked away from the train for the night and it mysteriously catches fire for reason. Engine was shut down which disables air brakes because it caught fire, but why did it catch fire? Not much security around locomotives.Now blamed on driver not setting enough hand brakes, but what was standard procedure, didn't he do this routinely?
Fix - don't leave train unattended: On July 23, 2013, Transport Canada issued an emergency directive[328] requiring at least two persons operate trains carrying tank cars of dangerous materials, prohibiting dangerous material trains left on the mainline unattended, requiring locomotive cabs on unattended trains be locked and reverser handles removed to prevent the train being put into gear, imposing requirements for setting hand brakes on trains unattended for more than an hour and requiring both the automatic brake (train brake) and independent brake (locomotive brake) be applied at their maximum force for trains unattended for an hour or less. The United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a number of emergency orders on August 2, 2013... notify the agency when trains carrying hazardous materials will be left unattended as well as processes to secure the trains in their positions and to ensure that the locomotive doors are locked. Before leaving a train unattended, railroad crews will need to notify dispatchers of the number of hand brakes that are being applied on the train along with the number of cars, the train length, the grade of the track on which the train is parked and the current weather conditions.
13 dead, 37 missing July 6, 2013 the Lac-Mégantic derailment occurred in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, at approximately 01:15 EDT,[2][3] on July 6, 2013, when a 72-car[4] driverless freight train carrying crude oil ran away after air brakes lost power when a running that caught fire while parked had to be shut down. It derailed at high speed and four freight cars caught fire and exploded. Thirteen people have been confirmed dead and 37 possibly missing.[1] More than 30 buildings in the town's centre were destroyed.[3] A settlement fund paid for by oil firms including $110 from World Fuel Services went into a $435M compensation fund as of June 2015
Similar incident: A previous incident of an unattended train running away and a fuel spill: "In February 2010, three MMA locomotives were left unattended by their crew in Brownville Junction, Maine, according to American records. As the air brakes failed, the locomotives rolled away down the hill, causing a crash, a sprained knee and spilling more than 1,100 litres of fuel onto the ground." Per [Global News]. Is that worth mention? Edison (talk) 01:27, 9 July 2013 (UTC)
*Reference
Lac-Mégantic rail disaster - Wikipedia The Lac-Mégantic rail disaster occurred in the town of Lac-Mégantic, located in the Eastern Townships of the Canadian province of Quebec, at approximately 01:15 EDT,[1][2] on July 6, 2013, when an unattended 74-car[3][4][5][6][7] freight train carrying Bakken formation crude oil rolled downhill and derailed, resulting in the fire and explosion of multiple tank cars. Forty-two people were confirmed dead, with five more missing and presumed dead.[8] More than 30 buildings in the town's centre, roughly half of the downtown area, were destroyed[2] and all but three of the thirty-nine remaining downtown buildings are to be demolished due to petroleum contamination of the townsite.[9] Initial newspaper reports described a 1-kilometre (0.62 mi) blast radius.[10] The death toll of 47 due to the crash and resultant explosion makes it the fourth-deadliest rail accident in Canadian history,[11] and the deadliest involving a non-passenger train. It is also the deadliest rail accident since Canada's confederation in 1867. The last Canadian rail accident to have a higher death toll was the St-Hilaire train disaster in 1864.[12]
.Timeline
Lac-Mégantic families approve $435M compensation ... - CBC
www.cbc.ca/.../lac-mégantic-families-approve-435m-compensation-...
CBC.caJun 9, 2015 - The compensation package for victims of the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster now ... Lac-Mégantic settlement fund for victims at $200M and growing ...
Oil Firms Agree to Pay Millions in Compensation for Quebec ...
www.wsj.com/.../big-oil-firms-put-millions-into-co...
The Wall Street Journal6 days ago - ... agreed to pay tens of millions of dollars into a compensation fund for ... to $345 million fund for victims of Lac-Mégantic blast that killed 47.
July 9, 2013
Firefighters cut power to runaway train's brakes - Worldnews.com
rticle.wn.com/view/2013/07/09/Firefighters_cut_power_to_runaway... Jul 09, 2013 · Firefighters hose down freight wagons after a runaway train derailed, causing massive explosions. Photo: AP The death toll in Quebec's oil train disaster ...
CBSNews (Hidden Byline) — Updated 12:46 p.m. LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec Investigators looking for the cause of a fiery oil train derailment are zeroing in ... Read Article
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/09/us-train-narrative-insight-idUSBRE96801Q20130709
Normally, before retiring for the night, the train operator sets the hand brakes and leaves one locomotive running to power the air brakes that help hold the train in place on the gently sloping track. The next morning, the operator or a relief engineer starts up the train and continues on their way.
Last weekend, the system failed. The locomotive caught fire, so firefighters shut off the engine to stop the flames from spreading. That slowly disengaged the air brakes, and the driverless train carrying 72 cars of crude oil rolled downhill into the scenic lakeside town of Lac-Megantic, derailing, exploding and leveling the town center.
The catastrophe could force policymakers across North America to rethink the practice of shipping crude by rail - a century-old business that has boomed with the surge in shale oil production
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/08/40-still-missing-in-deadly-canada-oil-train-crash/2497875/ air brakes on the runaway oil train that devastated a Quebec town early Saturday had been disabled by firefighters who were called to extinguish a blaze aboard one of the locomotives 90 minutes before the disaster
- recovered eight more bodies from the devastation in Lac-Megantic, raising the death toll to 13, with about 40 people still missing and feared dead.
- careened eight miles down a sloping track and derailed about 1 a.m. ET Saturday. All but one of the 73 tanker cars were carrying crude oil from North Dakota to a refinery in New Brunswick, and at least five exploded
- Jul 08, 2013 · MONTREAL -- Investigators combing through the rubble left by the derailment and explosion of a runaway tanker-train that devastated a small Quebec …
.Topics
- .Shale oil production
- .Tampering
- .Wikipedia
.Shale oil
... boomed with the surge in shale oil production
.Tampering
- Jul 08, 2013 · In a statement released Sunday, the railway suggested the train was tampered with: ...The pilot had left the train in Nantes for a hotel, with a replacement crew expected to take over later in the night.Railway officials said they thought the brakes had been properly applied, according to broadcaster CBC Montreal.In a statement released Sunday, the railway suggested the train was tampered with: "One fact that has emerged is the locomotive of the oil train parked at Nantes station was shut down subsequent to the departure of the engineer who had handled the train from Farnham, which may have resulted in the release of air brakes on the locomotive that was holding the train in place."
.Wikipedia
6/16/2015
The Lac-Mégantic rail disaster occurred in the town of Lac-Mégantic, located in the Eastern Townships of the Canadian province of Quebec, at approximately 01:15 EDT,[1][2] on July 6, 2013, when an unattended 74-car[3][4][5][6][7] freight train carrying Bakken formation crude oil rolled downhill and derailed, resulting in the fire and explosion of multiple tank cars. Forty-two people were confirmed dead, with five more missing and presumed dead.[8] More than 30 buildings in the town's centre, roughly half of the downtown area, were destroyed[2] and all but three of the thirty-nine remaining downtown buildings are to be demolished due to petroleum contamination of the townsite.[9] Initial newspaper reports described a 1-kilometre (0.62 mi) blast radius.[10]The death toll of 47 due to the crash and resultant explosion makes it the fourth-deadliest rail accident in Canadian history,[11] and the deadliest involving a non-passenger train. It is also the deadliest rail accident since Canada's confederation in 1867. The last Canadian rail accident to have a higher death toll was the St-Hilaire train disaster in 1864.[12]
The Lac-Mégantic rail disaster occurred in the town of Lac-Mégantic, located in the Eastern Townships of the Canadian province of Quebec, at approximately 01:15 EDT,[1][2] on July 6, 2013, when an unattended 74-car[3][4][5][6][7] freight train carrying Bakken formation crude oil rolled downhill and derailed, resulting in the fire and explosion of multiple tank cars. Forty-two people were confirmed dead, with five more missing and presumed dead.[8] More than 30 buildings in the town's centre, roughly half of the downtown area, were destroyed[2] and all but three of the thirty-nine remaining downtown buildings are to be demolished due to petroleum contamination of the townsite.[9] Initial newspaper reports described a 1-kilometre (0.62 mi) blast radius.[10]
The death toll of 47 due to the crash and resultant explosion makes it the fourth-deadliest rail accident in Canadian history,[11] and the deadliest involving a non-passenger train. It is also the deadliest rail accident since Canada's confederation in 1867. The last Canadian rail accident to have a higher death toll was the St-Hilaire train disaster in 1864.[12]
Contents
Background[edit]
The route[edit]
The railway line passing through Lac-Mégantic is owned by the United States-based Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA). The MMA has owned and operated a former Canadian Pacific Railway main line since January 2003, running between Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, in the west and Brownville Junction, Maine, in the east.[13]The rail line through Lac-Mégantic and across Maine was built in the late 1880s as part of the final link in CPR's transcontinental system between Montreal, Quebec and Saint John, New Brunswick with the section east of Lac-Mégantic known as the International Railway of Maine. Until December 1994 the line hosted VIA Rail's Atlantic passenger train as well as CPR freight service. A 1970s proposal to reroute the line to bypass downtown Lac-Mégantic was never implemented due to cost.[14] The rail line was owned by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) until being sold in segments in January 1995. VIA Rail discontinued passenger service on this route in December 1994 due to the pending change in ownership as VIA regulations at that time prohibited its passenger trains from operating on tracks that weren't owned by either of Canada's two national railway companies. The eastern half of the line between Brownville Junction and Saint John was sold to the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving which established two subsidiaries, the Eastern Maine Railway and New Brunswick Southern Railway. The western half of the line between Brownville Junction toward Montreal was sold to a U.S.-based company called Iron Road Railways, which established a subsidiary called Canadian American Railroad.Iron Road Railways declared bankruptcy for its subsidiary company in fall 2002. The former CPR main line from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Brownville Junction was sold to Rail World Inc. in January 2003. Rail World formed the MMA as a subsidiary and engaged in aggressive cost cutting[15][16] for freight train operations and continued to defer maintenance on the tracks to the point where much of the track is now in marginal condition.[17]Transport Canada permits a railway line to remain in service with as few as five solid ties (British English = sleepers) and fourteen damaged ties in a 39 feet (12 m) section of track,[18]provided trains are limited to 10 mph (16 km/h) on straight flat track.[19] MMA failed to take advantage of millions of dollars of available federal/provincial 2:1 matching infrastructure grants under a 2007 program as track conditions on the MMA line in Quebec continued to deteriorate. By 2013, speed reductions were required on 23 portions of the line, including a 5 mph (8.0 km/h) limit at Sherbrooke yard and 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) on a 11 miles (18 km) stretch east of Magog.[20]
The railway line passing through Lac-Mégantic is owned by the United States-based Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA). The MMA has owned and operated a former Canadian Pacific Railway main line since January 2003, running between Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, in the west and Brownville Junction, Maine, in the east.[13]
The rail line through Lac-Mégantic and across Maine was built in the late 1880s as part of the final link in CPR's transcontinental system between Montreal, Quebec and Saint John, New Brunswick with the section east of Lac-Mégantic known as the International Railway of Maine. Until December 1994 the line hosted VIA Rail's Atlantic passenger train as well as CPR freight service. A 1970s proposal to reroute the line to bypass downtown Lac-Mégantic was never implemented due to cost.[14] The rail line was owned by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) until being sold in segments in January 1995. VIA Rail discontinued passenger service on this route in December 1994 due to the pending change in ownership as VIA regulations at that time prohibited its passenger trains from operating on tracks that weren't owned by either of Canada's two national railway companies. The eastern half of the line between Brownville Junction and Saint John was sold to the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving which established two subsidiaries, the Eastern Maine Railway and New Brunswick Southern Railway. The western half of the line between Brownville Junction toward Montreal was sold to a U.S.-based company called Iron Road Railways, which established a subsidiary called Canadian American Railroad.
Iron Road Railways declared bankruptcy for its subsidiary company in fall 2002. The former CPR main line from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Brownville Junction was sold to Rail World Inc. in January 2003. Rail World formed the MMA as a subsidiary and engaged in aggressive cost cutting[15][16] for freight train operations and continued to defer maintenance on the tracks to the point where much of the track is now in marginal condition.[17]
Transport Canada permits a railway line to remain in service with as few as five solid ties (British English = sleepers) and fourteen damaged ties in a 39 feet (12 m) section of track,[18]provided trains are limited to 10 mph (16 km/h) on straight flat track.[19] MMA failed to take advantage of millions of dollars of available federal/provincial 2:1 matching infrastructure grants under a 2007 program as track conditions on the MMA line in Quebec continued to deteriorate. By 2013, speed reductions were required on 23 portions of the line, including a 5 mph (8.0 km/h) limit at Sherbrooke yard and 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) on a 11 miles (18 km) stretch east of Magog.[20]
The train[edit]
The freight train was designated "MMA 2" and was 4,701 ft (1,433 m) long and weighed 10,287 tonnes (10,125 long tons; 11,339 short tons).[3][4] The train was composed of five head-end locomotives, one remote-control "VB" car (a former caboose) used to house the Locotrol equipment necessary for MMA’s single engineer train operation, one loaded box car used as abuffer car followed by 72 non-pressure dangerous goods DOT-111 tank cars[21] loaded with petroleum crude oil (Class 3, UN 1267). Each tank car was filled with 113,000 litres (25,000 imp gal; 30,000 US gal) of crude oil.[22][23][24]The oil, shipped by World Fuel Services subsidiary Dakota Plains Holdings Incorporated from New Town, North Dakota,[25] originated from the Bakken formation.[26] The destination was theIrving Oil Refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick.[27] Shipment of the oil was contracted to Canadian Pacific Railway, which transported the oil on CPR tracks from North Dakota to the CPR yard in Côte-Saint-Luc, a suburb of Montreal.[28][29] CPR sub-contracted MMA to transport the oil from the CPR yard in Côte Saint-Luc to the MMA yard in Brownville Junction. CPR also sub-contracted New Brunswick Southern Railway to transport the oil from the MMA yard in Brownville Junction to the final destination at the refinery in Saint John. Ministry of Transport senior inspector Marc Grignon opines that “When the shipper is based outside Canada, the importer becomes the shipper.” Irving Oil Commercial G.P. is the shipper in this case.[30] 3,830 rail cars of Bakken crude were shipped by 67 trains in the 9-month period preceding the derailment.[30]In 2009, in the United States, 69% of the tank car fleet was composed of DOT-111A cars. In Canada, the same car (under the designation CTC-111A) represents close to 80% of the fleet.[31] The National Transportation Safety Board noted that the cars "have a high incidence of tank failures during accidents",[32] citing in 2009 their "inadequate design" as a factor in a fatal rail collision outside Rockford, Illinois.[33] Even before the Lac-Mégantic accident, attempts were made to require redesign or replacement of existing cars in the U.S.; these were delayed amidst fierce lobbying from rail and petroleum industry groups concerned about the cost.[33] Since 2011, the Canadian government has required tank cars with a thicker shell, though older models are still allowed to operate.[34]Freight trains operated by MMA were allowed (not "permitted", see below) by regulators in Canada (Transport Canada) and the United States (Federal Railroad Administration) to have Single Person Train Operation (SPTO, alternately OPTO) status (1 operator). The "permit" process, which requires public input, was not followed. The Canadian regulator and the MMA entered into a negotiation process at the culmination of which, sometime before the second week of July 2012, the government allowed MMA to reduce their manpower to SPTO. An average of 80 tankcars per train was carried on this route[30] under the supervision of one person only. The Maine regulator had already allowed SPTO status before the first week of April 2012.[35][36][37] The use of SPTO for MMA freight trains was a cost-cutting move for which the railway company has received much criticism. In May 2010, former MMA engineer Jarod Briggs of Millinocket, Maine explained to the Bangor Daily News that “so much could happen in a 12-hour shift on one of these trains, such as a washed-out track, downed trees or mechanical failure. What if the engineer onboard were to encounter a medical problem? Who is going to know about it? If there is a fire engine or an ambulance needing to get by a train or a crossing when that happens, it could take hours.”[38] Briggs left MMA to work for another railway in 2007; while he described the lone crew member involved in the Lac-Mégantic derailment as "a very good engineer, one of the better on the property",[39] he has long expressed safety concerns about the company's overall train operations because “if you have two people watching you can catch a mistake. It was all about cutting, cutting, cutting.”[40]The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) looked at whether single-person train operations played a role in the accident. After looking at the circumstances that night, the investigation was not able to conclude whether having another crew member would have prevented the accident.[41]Air brakes on the train are supplied with air from a compressor on each locomotive. When a locomotive is shut off, the compressor no longer supplies the brake system with air. An air brake pipe connects to each car and locomotive on the train. When air leaks from the various components, the air pressure drops. If the system is not recharged with air, the locomotive air brakes will become ineffective and provide no braking force. When the air brake control valves sense a drop in pressure in the brake pipe, they are designed to activate the brakes on each car. However, if the rate of leakage is slow and steady, the automatic brakes may not be applied as in the case of the Lac-Mégantic accident.[41] The train had locomotives that could automatically restart the air-brake system in the event of a brake failure - provided these locomotives were not shut down as they would be. Also, the TSB found that the “reset safety control” on the lead locomotive was not wired to set the entire train’s brakes in the event of an engine failure.[42][43]In addition to air brake systems, all locomotives and rail cars are equipped with at least one hand brake. This is a mechanical device that applies brake shoes to the wheels to prevent them from moving. The effectiveness of hand brakes depends on several factors, including their age, their maintained condition, their application in conjunction with air brakes, and the force exerted by the person applying the hand brake, which can vary widely. The TSB estimated that somewhere between 17 to 26 hand brakes would have been needed to secure the train.[41]
The freight train was designated "MMA 2" and was 4,701 ft (1,433 m) long and weighed 10,287 tonnes (10,125 long tons; 11,339 short tons).[3][4] The train was composed of five head-end locomotives, one remote-control "VB" car (a former caboose) used to house the Locotrol equipment necessary for MMA’s single engineer train operation, one loaded box car used as abuffer car followed by 72 non-pressure dangerous goods DOT-111 tank cars[21] loaded with petroleum crude oil (Class 3, UN 1267). Each tank car was filled with 113,000 litres (25,000 imp gal; 30,000 US gal) of crude oil.[22][23][24]
The oil, shipped by World Fuel Services subsidiary Dakota Plains Holdings Incorporated from New Town, North Dakota,[25] originated from the Bakken formation.[26] The destination was theIrving Oil Refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick.[27] Shipment of the oil was contracted to Canadian Pacific Railway, which transported the oil on CPR tracks from North Dakota to the CPR yard in Côte-Saint-Luc, a suburb of Montreal.[28][29] CPR sub-contracted MMA to transport the oil from the CPR yard in Côte Saint-Luc to the MMA yard in Brownville Junction. CPR also sub-contracted New Brunswick Southern Railway to transport the oil from the MMA yard in Brownville Junction to the final destination at the refinery in Saint John. Ministry of Transport senior inspector Marc Grignon opines that “When the shipper is based outside Canada, the importer becomes the shipper.” Irving Oil Commercial G.P. is the shipper in this case.[30] 3,830 rail cars of Bakken crude were shipped by 67 trains in the 9-month period preceding the derailment.[30]
In 2009, in the United States, 69% of the tank car fleet was composed of DOT-111A cars. In Canada, the same car (under the designation CTC-111A) represents close to 80% of the fleet.[31] The National Transportation Safety Board noted that the cars "have a high incidence of tank failures during accidents",[32] citing in 2009 their "inadequate design" as a factor in a fatal rail collision outside Rockford, Illinois.[33] Even before the Lac-Mégantic accident, attempts were made to require redesign or replacement of existing cars in the U.S.; these were delayed amidst fierce lobbying from rail and petroleum industry groups concerned about the cost.[33] Since 2011, the Canadian government has required tank cars with a thicker shell, though older models are still allowed to operate.[34]
Freight trains operated by MMA were allowed (not "permitted", see below) by regulators in Canada (Transport Canada) and the United States (Federal Railroad Administration) to have Single Person Train Operation (SPTO, alternately OPTO) status (1 operator). The "permit" process, which requires public input, was not followed. The Canadian regulator and the MMA entered into a negotiation process at the culmination of which, sometime before the second week of July 2012, the government allowed MMA to reduce their manpower to SPTO. An average of 80 tankcars per train was carried on this route[30] under the supervision of one person only. The Maine regulator had already allowed SPTO status before the first week of April 2012.[35][36][37] The use of SPTO for MMA freight trains was a cost-cutting move for which the railway company has received much criticism. In May 2010, former MMA engineer Jarod Briggs of Millinocket, Maine explained to the Bangor Daily News that “so much could happen in a 12-hour shift on one of these trains, such as a washed-out track, downed trees or mechanical failure. What if the engineer onboard were to encounter a medical problem? Who is going to know about it? If there is a fire engine or an ambulance needing to get by a train or a crossing when that happens, it could take hours.”[38] Briggs left MMA to work for another railway in 2007; while he described the lone crew member involved in the Lac-Mégantic derailment as "a very good engineer, one of the better on the property",[39] he has long expressed safety concerns about the company's overall train operations because “if you have two people watching you can catch a mistake. It was all about cutting, cutting, cutting.”[40]
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) looked at whether single-person train operations played a role in the accident. After looking at the circumstances that night, the investigation was not able to conclude whether having another crew member would have prevented the accident.[41]
Air brakes on the train are supplied with air from a compressor on each locomotive. When a locomotive is shut off, the compressor no longer supplies the brake system with air. An air brake pipe connects to each car and locomotive on the train. When air leaks from the various components, the air pressure drops. If the system is not recharged with air, the locomotive air brakes will become ineffective and provide no braking force. When the air brake control valves sense a drop in pressure in the brake pipe, they are designed to activate the brakes on each car. However, if the rate of leakage is slow and steady, the automatic brakes may not be applied as in the case of the Lac-Mégantic accident.[41] The train had locomotives that could automatically restart the air-brake system in the event of a brake failure - provided these locomotives were not shut down as they would be. Also, the TSB found that the “reset safety control” on the lead locomotive was not wired to set the entire train’s brakes in the event of an engine failure.[42][43]
In addition to air brake systems, all locomotives and rail cars are equipped with at least one hand brake. This is a mechanical device that applies brake shoes to the wheels to prevent them from moving. The effectiveness of hand brakes depends on several factors, including their age, their maintained condition, their application in conjunction with air brakes, and the force exerted by the person applying the hand brake, which can vary widely. The TSB estimated that somewhere between 17 to 26 hand brakes would have been needed to secure the train.[41]
Chronology[edit]
Eight months prior to the derailment[edit]
In October 2012, eight months before this accident, the lead locomotive (5017) was sent to MMA's repair shop following an engine failure. Because of the time and cost for a standard repair, and the pressure to return the locomotive to service, the engine was repaired with an epoxy-like material that lacked the required strength and durability. This material failed in service, leading to engine surges and excessive black and white smoke. Eventually, oil began to accumulate in the body of the turbocharger, where it overheated and caught fire on the night of the derailment.[41]
In October 2012, eight months before this accident, the lead locomotive (5017) was sent to MMA's repair shop following an engine failure. Because of the time and cost for a standard repair, and the pressure to return the locomotive to service, the engine was repaired with an epoxy-like material that lacked the required strength and durability. This material failed in service, leading to engine surges and excessive black and white smoke. Eventually, oil began to accumulate in the body of the turbocharger, where it overheated and caught fire on the night of the derailment.[41]
Events shortly prior to the derailment[edit]
The freight train "MMA 2" departed the CPR yard in Côte Saint-Luc[28][44] on July 5 earlier in the day and subsequently changed crews at the MMA yard in Farnham.[45] "MMA 2" departed Farnham and stopped at the designated MMA crew change point in Nantes at approximately 23:00. Nantes is located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) west of Lac-Mégantic.The engineer parked the freight train on the main line by setting the brakes and followed standard procedure by shutting down four of the five locomotives.[46] The engineer, who was the lone crew member under the MMA's work rules, which had been discussed with Transport Canada,[47][not in citation given] could not park the train on the adjacent siding because MMA used it routinely to store empty boxcars for Tafisa, a particleboard factory located in Lac-Mégantic's industrial park.[48][49] The Nantes siding has a derail that could have stopped the train from accidentally departing.[50] According to Transport Canada, it is unusual to leave an unattended train parked on a main line,[51] but there were no regulations in place to prevent that behaviour.[52]The engineer left the lead locomotive, #5017, running to keep air pressure supplied to the train's air brakes and also applied a number of manual hand brakes.[53] Yves Bourdon, a member of the MMA's Board of Directors, stated that the air brakes of all locomotives and freight cars had been activated, as well as manual hand brakes on 5 locomotives and 10 of the 72 freight cars.[54] However, the TSB agrees with a July 6 statement by the train's engineer to police that he set hand brakes on just the five locomotive engines, a buffer car and a car housing the remote control apparatus.[41][55] The engineer also attempted a brake test but incorrectly left the locomotive air brakes on; this gave the false impression that the hand brakes alone would hold the train.[41]The engineer then contacted the rail traffic controller in Farnham, Quebec, to advise that the train was secure. Next, the engineer contacted the rail traffic controller in Bangor, Maine to report that the lead locomotive had experienced mechanical difficulties throughout the trip and that excessive black and white smoke was coming from its smoke stack. Expecting the smoke to settle, they agreed to deal with the situation the following morning.[41]Section 112 of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules states "when equipment is left at any point a sufficient number of hand brakes must be applied to prevent it from moving" and "the effectiveness of the hand brakes must be tested” before relying on their retarding force.[56] The engineer tests the handbrakes by seeing if the train budges when trying to push and pull the train with locomotive power.[24] If a train is left on an incline, the number of handbrakes needed to hold the train increases. It takes 2–3 minutes per car to set the hand brakes.[24] The track from Nantes to Lac-Mégantic is downhill on a 1.2% grade.[22] Nantes is 515 metres (1,690 ft) above sea level, Lac Mégantic is 108 m (354 ft) lower at 407 m (1,335 ft). The MMA claimed that its braking policy required the activation of hand brakes on the five locomotives and 11 freight cars, or 20.5% of the total train.[57] However, the TSB confirmed evidence in the criminal charges citing MMA procedures requiring nine brakes to hold a 70-79 car train.[41][55] The TSB concluded that a minimum of 17 and possibly as many as 26 hand brakes would have been needed to secure the train, depending on the amount of force with which they had been applied.[41] Transport Canada does not validate the special instructions of a railway company or give any specific guidance on how many brakes must be applied for parked freight trains.[58] While Transport Canada had repeatedly reprimanded MMA from 2004 to 2009 and in 2011 and 2012 for violations of CROR Section 112 handbrake requirements on parked trains in Nantes, no fines had been issued for the infractions.[59]The TSB found that the MMA's operating plan was to leave the train parked on the main line, unattended, with an unlocked locomotive cab, alongside a public highway where it was accessible to the general public, with no additional protection.[60] However, there were no rules against leaving a train unlocked, running and unattended, even if it contains dangerous materials and is stopped on a main rail line, on a hill just next to a residential area.[61]After finishing his work, the engineer departed by taxi for a local hotel, l'Eau Berge in downtown Lac-Mégantic,[62] for the night.[63] While en route to the hotel, the engineer told the taxi driver that he felt unsafe leaving a locomotive running while it was spitting oil and thick, black smoke. He said he wanted to call the US office of the MMA (in Hermon, Maine) as they would be able to give him other directives.[64] Taxi driver André Turcotte described the engineer as covered in droplets of oil, which also covered the taxi's windscreen.[65]Witnesses recall having seen the train seemingly unattended and in distress around 22:45 that night.[66] People driving on the road that parallels the rail line near Nantes, recall seeing the train and having to slow down as they passed by the locomotives where there was a thick dark blue cloud of diesel smoke being emitted as well as sparks coming out of a locomotive's exhaust,[66] due to a broken piston in the locomotive's diesel engine.[67]According to the TSB, the MMA's rail traffic controller was warned of the train having technical difficulties while the train was still in Nantes on the evening of Friday, July 5.[68] After the engineer had departed, the Nantes Fire Department as well as a police officer from the Sûreté du Québec's Lac-Mégantic detachment responded to a 911 call from a citizen at 23:50 who reported a fire on the first locomotive;[3] according to Nantes Fire Chief Patrick Lambert, "We shut down the engine before fighting the fire. Our protocol calls for us to shut down an engine because it is the only way to stop the fuel from circulating into the fire."[69] The fire department extinguished the blaze and notified the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway'srail traffic controller in Farnham. MMA did not grant permission to the engineer to return to the scene, instead summoning a track maintenance foreman unfamiliar with the operation of railway air brakes.[55] By 00:13 two MMA track maintenance employees had arrived from Lac-Mégantic; the Nantes firefighters left the scene as the MMA employees confirmed to the police officer and to the Farnham rail traffic controller that the train was safe.[70]The MMA has alleged that the lead locomotive was tampered with after the engineer had left; that the diesel engine was shut down, thereby disabling the compressor powering the air brakes, which allowed the train to roll downhill from Nantes into Lac-Mégantic once the air pressure dropped in the reservoirs on the cars.[46] Teamsters Canada Rail Conference vice-president Doug Finnson disputed this theory, stating that the key braking system on a stopped, unsupervised train are the hand brakes, which are completely independent from the motor-powered compressor that feeds the air brakes.[71]
The freight train "MMA 2" departed the CPR yard in Côte Saint-Luc[28][44] on July 5 earlier in the day and subsequently changed crews at the MMA yard in Farnham.[45] "MMA 2" departed Farnham and stopped at the designated MMA crew change point in Nantes at approximately 23:00. Nantes is located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) west of Lac-Mégantic.
The engineer parked the freight train on the main line by setting the brakes and followed standard procedure by shutting down four of the five locomotives.[46] The engineer, who was the lone crew member under the MMA's work rules, which had been discussed with Transport Canada,[47][not in citation given] could not park the train on the adjacent siding because MMA used it routinely to store empty boxcars for Tafisa, a particleboard factory located in Lac-Mégantic's industrial park.[48][49] The Nantes siding has a derail that could have stopped the train from accidentally departing.[50] According to Transport Canada, it is unusual to leave an unattended train parked on a main line,[51] but there were no regulations in place to prevent that behaviour.[52]
The engineer left the lead locomotive, #5017, running to keep air pressure supplied to the train's air brakes and also applied a number of manual hand brakes.[53] Yves Bourdon, a member of the MMA's Board of Directors, stated that the air brakes of all locomotives and freight cars had been activated, as well as manual hand brakes on 5 locomotives and 10 of the 72 freight cars.[54] However, the TSB agrees with a July 6 statement by the train's engineer to police that he set hand brakes on just the five locomotive engines, a buffer car and a car housing the remote control apparatus.[41][55] The engineer also attempted a brake test but incorrectly left the locomotive air brakes on; this gave the false impression that the hand brakes alone would hold the train.[41]
The engineer then contacted the rail traffic controller in Farnham, Quebec, to advise that the train was secure. Next, the engineer contacted the rail traffic controller in Bangor, Maine to report that the lead locomotive had experienced mechanical difficulties throughout the trip and that excessive black and white smoke was coming from its smoke stack. Expecting the smoke to settle, they agreed to deal with the situation the following morning.[41]
Section 112 of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules states "when equipment is left at any point a sufficient number of hand brakes must be applied to prevent it from moving" and "the effectiveness of the hand brakes must be tested” before relying on their retarding force.[56] The engineer tests the handbrakes by seeing if the train budges when trying to push and pull the train with locomotive power.[24] If a train is left on an incline, the number of handbrakes needed to hold the train increases. It takes 2–3 minutes per car to set the hand brakes.[24] The track from Nantes to Lac-Mégantic is downhill on a 1.2% grade.[22] Nantes is 515 metres (1,690 ft) above sea level, Lac Mégantic is 108 m (354 ft) lower at 407 m (1,335 ft). The MMA claimed that its braking policy required the activation of hand brakes on the five locomotives and 11 freight cars, or 20.5% of the total train.[57] However, the TSB confirmed evidence in the criminal charges citing MMA procedures requiring nine brakes to hold a 70-79 car train.[41][55] The TSB concluded that a minimum of 17 and possibly as many as 26 hand brakes would have been needed to secure the train, depending on the amount of force with which they had been applied.[41] Transport Canada does not validate the special instructions of a railway company or give any specific guidance on how many brakes must be applied for parked freight trains.[58] While Transport Canada had repeatedly reprimanded MMA from 2004 to 2009 and in 2011 and 2012 for violations of CROR Section 112 handbrake requirements on parked trains in Nantes, no fines had been issued for the infractions.[59]
The TSB found that the MMA's operating plan was to leave the train parked on the main line, unattended, with an unlocked locomotive cab, alongside a public highway where it was accessible to the general public, with no additional protection.[60] However, there were no rules against leaving a train unlocked, running and unattended, even if it contains dangerous materials and is stopped on a main rail line, on a hill just next to a residential area.[61]
After finishing his work, the engineer departed by taxi for a local hotel, l'Eau Berge in downtown Lac-Mégantic,[62] for the night.[63] While en route to the hotel, the engineer told the taxi driver that he felt unsafe leaving a locomotive running while it was spitting oil and thick, black smoke. He said he wanted to call the US office of the MMA (in Hermon, Maine) as they would be able to give him other directives.[64] Taxi driver André Turcotte described the engineer as covered in droplets of oil, which also covered the taxi's windscreen.[65]
Witnesses recall having seen the train seemingly unattended and in distress around 22:45 that night.[66] People driving on the road that parallels the rail line near Nantes, recall seeing the train and having to slow down as they passed by the locomotives where there was a thick dark blue cloud of diesel smoke being emitted as well as sparks coming out of a locomotive's exhaust,[66] due to a broken piston in the locomotive's diesel engine.[67]According to the TSB, the MMA's rail traffic controller was warned of the train having technical difficulties while the train was still in Nantes on the evening of Friday, July 5.[68] After the engineer had departed, the Nantes Fire Department as well as a police officer from the Sûreté du Québec's Lac-Mégantic detachment responded to a 911 call from a citizen at 23:50 who reported a fire on the first locomotive;[3] according to Nantes Fire Chief Patrick Lambert, "We shut down the engine before fighting the fire. Our protocol calls for us to shut down an engine because it is the only way to stop the fuel from circulating into the fire."[69] The fire department extinguished the blaze and notified the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway'srail traffic controller in Farnham. MMA did not grant permission to the engineer to return to the scene, instead summoning a track maintenance foreman unfamiliar with the operation of railway air brakes.[55] By 00:13 two MMA track maintenance employees had arrived from Lac-Mégantic; the Nantes firefighters left the scene as the MMA employees confirmed to the police officer and to the Farnham rail traffic controller that the train was safe.[70]
The MMA has alleged that the lead locomotive was tampered with after the engineer had left; that the diesel engine was shut down, thereby disabling the compressor powering the air brakes, which allowed the train to roll downhill from Nantes into Lac-Mégantic once the air pressure dropped in the reservoirs on the cars.[46] Teamsters Canada Rail Conference vice-president Doug Finnson disputed this theory, stating that the key braking system on a stopped, unsupervised train are the hand brakes, which are completely independent from the motor-powered compressor that feeds the air brakes.[71]
Derailment and explosion[edit]
With all the locomotives shut down, the air compressor no longer supplied air to the air brake system. As air leaked from the brake system, the main air reservoirs were slowly depleted, gradually reducing the effectiveness of the locomotive air brakes. At 00:56, the air pressure had dropped to a point at which the combination of locomotive air brakes and hand brakes could no longer hold the train, and it began to roll downhill toward Lac-Mégantic, just over seven miles away.[41][72] A witness recalled watching the train moving slowly toward Lac-Mégantic without the locomotive lights on.[73] The track was not equipped with signals to alert the rail traffic controller to the presence of a runaway train.[48] The train entered the town of Lac-Mégantic at high speed.[74] The train derailed in downtown Lac-Mégantic at 01:14.[1][75] The locomotives and the VB car were found intact, separated from the rest of the train approximately 800 metres (0.50 mi) east of the derailment site.[76] The equipment that derailed included 63 of the 72 tank cars as well as the buffer car. Nine tank cars at the rear of the train remained on the track and were pulled away from the derailment site and did not explode. Almost all of the derailed tank cars were damaged, many having large breaches. About six million litres of petroleum crude oil was quickly released; the fire began almost immediately.[41]The unmanned train derailed in an area near the grade crossing where the rail line crosses Frontenac Street, the town's main street. The train may have been moving at up to 101 kilometres per hour (63 mph).[46][77] The rail line in this area is on a curve and has a speed limit for trains of 16 kilometres per hour (10 mph)[77] as it is located at the west end of the Mégantic rail yard. This location is approximately 600 metres (2,000 ft) northwest of the railway bridge over the Chaudière River and is also immediately north of the town's central business district.[1]Just before the derailment, witnesses recalled observing the train passing through the crossing at an excessive speed with no locomotive lights, "infernal" noise and sparks being emitted from the wheels.[78] People on the terrace at the Musi-Café—a bar located next to the centre of the explosions—saw the tank cars leave the track and fled as a blanket of oil generated a ball of fire three times the height of the downtown buildings.[79] Between four and six explosions were reported initially[80] as tank cars ruptured and crude oil escaped along the train's trajectory. Heat from the fires was felt as far as 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away.[81] People were jumping from the third floor of buildings in the central business district to escape the fire. As the blazing oil flowed over the ground, it entered the town's storm sewer and emerged as huge fires towering from other storm sewer drains, manholes, and even chimneys and basements of buildings in the area.[79]Gilles Fluet, a Musi-Café patron who was leaving the site just before the derailment, said the wheels were smoking lots of white smoke. The runaway train passed 50 metres (160 ft) behind him moving at highway speed. Travelling with no signals, the train jumped the track, sending a river of burning oil into the lake.[82] "It was moving at a hellish speed ... no lights, no signals, nothing at all. There was no warning. It was a black blob that came out of nowhere. I realized they were oil tankers and they were going to blow up, so I yelled that to my friends and I got out of there. If we had stayed where we were, we would have been roasted."[83]The Musi-Café owner says that some employees and patrons felt the tremors of the train and thought it was an earthquake. They went out and started running. Other patrons and employees told some survivors that the tremors were an earthquake and that it would be better to stay under a table. Of those that went out, not all survived. Some were not able to outrun a "tsunami of fire".[84]
With all the locomotives shut down, the air compressor no longer supplied air to the air brake system. As air leaked from the brake system, the main air reservoirs were slowly depleted, gradually reducing the effectiveness of the locomotive air brakes. At 00:56, the air pressure had dropped to a point at which the combination of locomotive air brakes and hand brakes could no longer hold the train, and it began to roll downhill toward Lac-Mégantic, just over seven miles away.[41][72] A witness recalled watching the train moving slowly toward Lac-Mégantic without the locomotive lights on.[73] The track was not equipped with signals to alert the rail traffic controller to the presence of a runaway train.[48] The train entered the town of Lac-Mégantic at high speed.[74] The train derailed in downtown Lac-Mégantic at 01:14.[1][75] The locomotives and the VB car were found intact, separated from the rest of the train approximately 800 metres (0.50 mi) east of the derailment site.[76] The equipment that derailed included 63 of the 72 tank cars as well as the buffer car. Nine tank cars at the rear of the train remained on the track and were pulled away from the derailment site and did not explode. Almost all of the derailed tank cars were damaged, many having large breaches. About six million litres of petroleum crude oil was quickly released; the fire began almost immediately.[41]
The unmanned train derailed in an area near the grade crossing where the rail line crosses Frontenac Street, the town's main street. The train may have been moving at up to 101 kilometres per hour (63 mph).[46][77] The rail line in this area is on a curve and has a speed limit for trains of 16 kilometres per hour (10 mph)[77] as it is located at the west end of the Mégantic rail yard. This location is approximately 600 metres (2,000 ft) northwest of the railway bridge over the Chaudière River and is also immediately north of the town's central business district.[1]
Just before the derailment, witnesses recalled observing the train passing through the crossing at an excessive speed with no locomotive lights, "infernal" noise and sparks being emitted from the wheels.[78] People on the terrace at the Musi-Café—a bar located next to the centre of the explosions—saw the tank cars leave the track and fled as a blanket of oil generated a ball of fire three times the height of the downtown buildings.[79] Between four and six explosions were reported initially[80] as tank cars ruptured and crude oil escaped along the train's trajectory. Heat from the fires was felt as far as 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away.[81] People were jumping from the third floor of buildings in the central business district to escape the fire. As the blazing oil flowed over the ground, it entered the town's storm sewer and emerged as huge fires towering from other storm sewer drains, manholes, and even chimneys and basements of buildings in the area.[79]
Gilles Fluet, a Musi-Café patron who was leaving the site just before the derailment, said the wheels were smoking lots of white smoke. The runaway train passed 50 metres (160 ft) behind him moving at highway speed. Travelling with no signals, the train jumped the track, sending a river of burning oil into the lake.[82] "It was moving at a hellish speed ... no lights, no signals, nothing at all. There was no warning. It was a black blob that came out of nowhere. I realized they were oil tankers and they were going to blow up, so I yelled that to my friends and I got out of there. If we had stayed where we were, we would have been roasted."[83]
The Musi-Café owner says that some employees and patrons felt the tremors of the train and thought it was an earthquake. They went out and started running. Other patrons and employees told some survivors that the tremors were an earthquake and that it would be better to stay under a table. Of those that went out, not all survived. Some were not able to outrun a "tsunami of fire".[84]
Emergency response[edit]
Around 150 firefighters were deployed to the scene, described as looking like a "war zone".[86] Some were called in from as far away as the city ofSherbrooke, Quebec,[80] and as many as eight trucks carrying 30 firefighters were dispatched from Franklin County, Maine, United States (Chesterville, Eustis, Farmington, New Vineyard, Phillips, Rangeley and Strong).[87] The fire was contained and prevented from spreading further in the early afternoon.[63]The local hospital went to Code Orange, anticipating a high number of casualties and requesting reinforcements from other medical centres, but they received no seriously injured patients. A Canadian Red Cross volunteer said there were "no wounded. They're all dead".[2] One off-duty Musi-Café cook, Bernard Théberge, was on the terrace at the time of the derailment and was treated for second-degree burns to one arm.[88] The hospital was later used to shelter dozens of seniors who had been evacuated.[89] Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated initially after the derailment, explosions, and fires. Another 1,000 people were evacuated later during the day because of toxic fumes. Some took refuge in an emergency shelter established by the Red Cross in a local high school.[90]According to initial claims made by the railway, the engineer that left the train unattended went to the explosion zone and uncoupled the last 9 undamaged tank cars that were still on the tracks at the end of the derailment. After uncoupling the tank cars, he used a rail car mover to pull them away from the derailment site.[91] This version of events has been disputed by Lac-Mégantic's fire chief, who indicated that a volunteer firefighter had used a rail car mover borrowed from a local factory to remove these cars from danger.[92] It was later revealed that two employees of Tafisa (Serge Morin, Sylvain Grégoire), a firefighter (Benoît Héon), the MMA engineer (Tom Harding) and a member of the family-owned excavation company Lafontaine and Son (Pascal Lafontaine) had worked to move 9 tank cars away from the fire. Tafisa, a local particleboard industry that moves much of its product by rail, has a rail car mover which has the capability to deactivate the brakes on the cars it tows. Morin, aided by his colleague Grégoire, used the rail car mover to move the first 5 tank cars away from the fire. When they could not find a level crossing to move the rail car mover back to the disaster site, they used a loader to remove another 4 tank cars, 2 at a time. Because the loader lacked equipment to deactivate railcar brakes, Harding told the men to use the loader to break the air lines on cars to release the air brakes on each of these four cars.[93][94] Lafontaine's workers hauled gravel to the site, created firebreaks and blocked manholes as burning oil spread into the town's storm sewer system.[95]After 20 hours, the centre of the fire was still inaccessible to firefighters[86] and five pools of fuel were still burning. A special fire-retardant foam was brought from an Ultramar refinery inLévis, aiding progress by firefighters on the Saturday night.[96] Five of the unexploded cars were doused with high-pressure water to prevent further explosions,[81] and two were still burning and at risk of exploding 36 hours later.[97] The train's event recorder was recovered at around 15:00 the next day[90] and the fire was finally extinguished in the evening, after burning for nearly two days.[98]A red zone was declared where evacuees could not return to their homes because of the ongoing investigation.[99] Townsfolk gathered at the Parc de la Croix Lumineuse, a scenic lookout point and picnic area in nearby Frontenac, in an attempt to see the full extent of the damage through binoculars.[100]
Around 150 firefighters were deployed to the scene, described as looking like a "war zone".[86] Some were called in from as far away as the city ofSherbrooke, Quebec,[80] and as many as eight trucks carrying 30 firefighters were dispatched from Franklin County, Maine, United States (Chesterville, Eustis, Farmington, New Vineyard, Phillips, Rangeley and Strong).[87] The fire was contained and prevented from spreading further in the early afternoon.[63]
The local hospital went to Code Orange, anticipating a high number of casualties and requesting reinforcements from other medical centres, but they received no seriously injured patients. A Canadian Red Cross volunteer said there were "no wounded. They're all dead".[2] One off-duty Musi-Café cook, Bernard Théberge, was on the terrace at the time of the derailment and was treated for second-degree burns to one arm.[88] The hospital was later used to shelter dozens of seniors who had been evacuated.[89] Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated initially after the derailment, explosions, and fires. Another 1,000 people were evacuated later during the day because of toxic fumes. Some took refuge in an emergency shelter established by the Red Cross in a local high school.[90]
According to initial claims made by the railway, the engineer that left the train unattended went to the explosion zone and uncoupled the last 9 undamaged tank cars that were still on the tracks at the end of the derailment. After uncoupling the tank cars, he used a rail car mover to pull them away from the derailment site.[91] This version of events has been disputed by Lac-Mégantic's fire chief, who indicated that a volunteer firefighter had used a rail car mover borrowed from a local factory to remove these cars from danger.[92] It was later revealed that two employees of Tafisa (Serge Morin, Sylvain Grégoire), a firefighter (Benoît Héon), the MMA engineer (Tom Harding) and a member of the family-owned excavation company Lafontaine and Son (Pascal Lafontaine) had worked to move 9 tank cars away from the fire. Tafisa, a local particleboard industry that moves much of its product by rail, has a rail car mover which has the capability to deactivate the brakes on the cars it tows. Morin, aided by his colleague Grégoire, used the rail car mover to move the first 5 tank cars away from the fire. When they could not find a level crossing to move the rail car mover back to the disaster site, they used a loader to remove another 4 tank cars, 2 at a time. Because the loader lacked equipment to deactivate railcar brakes, Harding told the men to use the loader to break the air lines on cars to release the air brakes on each of these four cars.[93][94] Lafontaine's workers hauled gravel to the site, created firebreaks and blocked manholes as burning oil spread into the town's storm sewer system.[95]
After 20 hours, the centre of the fire was still inaccessible to firefighters[86] and five pools of fuel were still burning. A special fire-retardant foam was brought from an Ultramar refinery inLévis, aiding progress by firefighters on the Saturday night.[96] Five of the unexploded cars were doused with high-pressure water to prevent further explosions,[81] and two were still burning and at risk of exploding 36 hours later.[97] The train's event recorder was recovered at around 15:00 the next day[90] and the fire was finally extinguished in the evening, after burning for nearly two days.[98]
A red zone was declared where evacuees could not return to their homes because of the ongoing investigation.[99] Townsfolk gathered at the Parc de la Croix Lumineuse, a scenic lookout point and picnic area in nearby Frontenac, in an attempt to see the full extent of the damage through binoculars.[100]
Casualties and damage[edit]
Forty-two bodies were found and transported to Montreal to be identified.[101] 39 of those were identified by investigators by late August 2013[102] and the 40th in April 2014.[103]Identification of additional victims became increasingly difficult after the August 1 end of the on-site search and family members were asked to provide DNA samples of those missing, as well as dental records.[104] The bodies of five presumed victims were never found.[105][106] It is possible that some of the missing people were vaporized by the explosions.[107] As two of the three local notary offices were destroyed by fire (and only one of the document vaults survived the blaze), the last will and testament of some victims of the disaster was lost.[108][109]At least 30 buildings were destroyed in the centre of town, including the town's library, a historic former bank, and other businesses and houses.[86] 115 businesses were destroyed, displaced, or rendered inaccessible.[110][111] The Musi-Café was destroyed and three of its employees are among the dead or missing.[112][113][114] While the town intends to build new infrastructure and commercial space, many of the historic buildings lost are irreplaceable.A number of businesses had to operate from temporary locations outside the downtown,[116] with reduced facilities[117] until new buildings could be constructed elsewhere, as cleanup efforts will take a year or more.[118] The municipal water supply for Lac-Mégantic was shut down on the evening of the explosion because of a leak inside the blast zone,[97] requiring trucks carrying drinking water, though the leak was repaired overnight and a precautionary boil-water advisory issued.[97] The industrial park lost access to rail service in both directions as the line remained severed until December 2013. Claims to local insurers were estimated at $25 million for Intact Financial, $18 million for Promutuel and $7 million for Desjardins Group.[119]
Forty-two bodies were found and transported to Montreal to be identified.[101] 39 of those were identified by investigators by late August 2013[102] and the 40th in April 2014.[103]Identification of additional victims became increasingly difficult after the August 1 end of the on-site search and family members were asked to provide DNA samples of those missing, as well as dental records.[104] The bodies of five presumed victims were never found.[105][106] It is possible that some of the missing people were vaporized by the explosions.[107] As two of the three local notary offices were destroyed by fire (and only one of the document vaults survived the blaze), the last will and testament of some victims of the disaster was lost.[108][109]
At least 30 buildings were destroyed in the centre of town, including the town's library, a historic former bank, and other businesses and houses.[86] 115 businesses were destroyed, displaced, or rendered inaccessible.[110][111] The Musi-Café was destroyed and three of its employees are among the dead or missing.[112][113][114] While the town intends to build new infrastructure and commercial space, many of the historic buildings lost are irreplaceable.
A number of businesses had to operate from temporary locations outside the downtown,[116] with reduced facilities[117] until new buildings could be constructed elsewhere, as cleanup efforts will take a year or more.[118] The municipal water supply for Lac-Mégantic was shut down on the evening of the explosion because of a leak inside the blast zone,[97] requiring trucks carrying drinking water, though the leak was repaired overnight and a precautionary boil-water advisory issued.[97] The industrial park lost access to rail service in both directions as the line remained severed until December 2013. Claims to local insurers were estimated at $25 million for Intact Financial, $18 million for Promutuel and $7 million for Desjardins Group.[119]
List of victims[edit]
Aftermath[edit]
All but 800 of the evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes in the afternoon of the third day;[122] all but 200 were able to return by the sixth day.[123] At least twenty had no home to which to return.[124] Some homes had reportedly been broken into during their vacancies,[125][126]although police deny that homes were looted.[127]Rail World's president and CEO Edward Burkhardt visited the town on July 10, 2013, and was heckled by residents. After the accident, the railway's safety record was called into question: over the previous decade the firm recorded a higher accident rate than the rest of the U.S. rail fleet, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration. In the previous year, the railroad had 36.1 accidents per million miles travelled, in comparison to a national average of 14.6 accidents.[128][129][nb 1] Burkhardt's historical involvement with a 1996 derailment on the Wisconsin Central in which hazardous materials burned for over two weeks also drew renewed scrutiny.[130] While the actual cause of the disaster was still under provincial (Sûreté du Québec) and federal (Transportation Safety Board) investigation, Burkhardt announced the railway had suspended the engineer for allegedly improperly setting the handbrakes on the rail cars.[131] The engineer was made unavailable at the suggestion of his lawyer[132] and MMA instructed its employees not to answer questions from police without first consulting the company's lawyers.[133] A former colleague established anAlbany-based legal defence fund for the engineer.[134][135] The Sûreté du Québec raided MMA offices in Farnham on July 25 as part of a criminal investigation into the Lac-Mégantic fatalities;[136] the Transportation Safety Board conducted its own search backed by RCMP on August 1.[137]Raymond Lafontaine, a local contractor who lost a son, two daughters-in-law and an employee,[138] has raised concerns about the poor condition of MMA-owned track and about the increasing quantity of dangerous goods being transported through downtown areas by rail, not only in Lac-Mégantic but in cities such as Sherbrooke.[139] He has asked the tracks be repaired and rerouted to bypass the town's core.[140]Lac-Mégantic mayor Colette Roy-Laroche has sought assistance from federal and provincial governments to move the trains away from the downtown,[141] a proposal opposed by the railway owing to cost,[142] and asked tourists not to abandon the region.[143] MMA announced that it intends to make future crew changes in Sherbrooke so that trains are no longer left unattended; that city's mayor Bernard Sévigny has expressed concern that this merely shifts the hazard into the centre of Quebec's sixth-largest city.[144]
All but 800 of the evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes in the afternoon of the third day;[122] all but 200 were able to return by the sixth day.[123] At least twenty had no home to which to return.[124] Some homes had reportedly been broken into during their vacancies,[125][126]although police deny that homes were looted.[127]
Rail World's president and CEO Edward Burkhardt visited the town on July 10, 2013, and was heckled by residents. After the accident, the railway's safety record was called into question: over the previous decade the firm recorded a higher accident rate than the rest of the U.S. rail fleet, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration. In the previous year, the railroad had 36.1 accidents per million miles travelled, in comparison to a national average of 14.6 accidents.[128][129][nb 1] Burkhardt's historical involvement with a 1996 derailment on the Wisconsin Central in which hazardous materials burned for over two weeks also drew renewed scrutiny.[130] While the actual cause of the disaster was still under provincial (Sûreté du Québec) and federal (Transportation Safety Board) investigation, Burkhardt announced the railway had suspended the engineer for allegedly improperly setting the handbrakes on the rail cars.[131] The engineer was made unavailable at the suggestion of his lawyer[132] and MMA instructed its employees not to answer questions from police without first consulting the company's lawyers.[133] A former colleague established anAlbany-based legal defence fund for the engineer.[134][135] The Sûreté du Québec raided MMA offices in Farnham on July 25 as part of a criminal investigation into the Lac-Mégantic fatalities;[136] the Transportation Safety Board conducted its own search backed by RCMP on August 1.[137]
Raymond Lafontaine, a local contractor who lost a son, two daughters-in-law and an employee,[138] has raised concerns about the poor condition of MMA-owned track and about the increasing quantity of dangerous goods being transported through downtown areas by rail, not only in Lac-Mégantic but in cities such as Sherbrooke.[139] He has asked the tracks be repaired and rerouted to bypass the town's core.[140]
Lac-Mégantic mayor Colette Roy-Laroche has sought assistance from federal and provincial governments to move the trains away from the downtown,[141] a proposal opposed by the railway owing to cost,[142] and asked tourists not to abandon the region.[143] MMA announced that it intends to make future crew changes in Sherbrooke so that trains are no longer left unattended; that city's mayor Bernard Sévigny has expressed concern that this merely shifts the hazard into the centre of Quebec's sixth-largest city.[144]
Changes to operations and procedures[edit]
The two major Class I Canadian railways, Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway, have indicated that they will not be leaving unattended locomotives unlocked outside a terminal or yard; CPR tank car trains containing regulated commodities will no longer be left unattended on a main line.[145]On August 6, 2013, Burkhardt stated that MMA has no further plans to carry oil by rail.[146] On August 7, 2013, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in both the Quebec Superior Court in Montreal (under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act)[147] and the United States Bankruptcy Court in Bangor, Maine[148] (under Chapter 11).[149]On August 13, 2013, the Canadian Transportation Agency suspended the railway's Certificate of Fitness[150] effective August 20 because of its failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage,[151] shutting down the line.[152][153] It later extended this deadline to conditionally allow operation until October 18.[154][155] While the amount of liability insurance is not listed on the federal Certificate of Fitness for reasons unknown, MMA's bankruptcy petition disclosed an insurance policy valued at $25 million[156] and an estimated cleanup cost, which excludes damages in tort, of $200 million.[156] MMA's Certificate of Fitness was last modified in 2005, to reflect the use of the line by Orford Express (an independently owned passenger service between Magog and Sherbrooke).[157] It is unclear whether notice was given of the oil-by-rail shipments which began in 2012 despite a requirement to "notify the Agency in writing without delay if ... the ... operation has changed so that the liability insurance coverage may no longer be adequate."[157]In Maine, state transportation authorities have contacted all rival freight operators in-state to establish a contingency plan; if MMA ceases operation, US federal law requires a trustee keep the line operating until a buyer is found because of the MMA's status as a monopoly in many communities.[158] The US has no requirement that privately owned railways carry liability insurance.[159]On August 22, 2013, the Canadian Transportation Agency ordered CPR to reinstate delivery to MMA,[160] a move CPR (as one of multiple firms ordered by Quebec's government to pay for the costly cleanup of oil spilled by MMA at Lac-Mégantic)[161] considers an unacceptable safety risk.[citation needed] Canadian Pacific chief executive officer Hunter Harrison stated that, "While we disagree with this order, we have taken immediate steps to comply". The CTA, as federal regulator, has satisfied itself that MMA is fit to operate and has adequate insurance to do so. We will review our legal options.”[162] The CTA also found that "the balance of inconvenience clearly favours MMA as the refusal to grant the interim order would result in the virtual cessation of MMA's operations."[163] The CTA also held that issues regarding public safety were none of its concern.[163]In separate developments also occurring on August 22, 2013, the New Brunswick and Maine Railway company, a division of the J. D. Irving conglomerate, indicated its interest to acquire the troubled MMA railway,[160] and the Canadian Transportation Agency indicated it would review insurance coverage of federally chartered railways at some point "in the fall".[164] The same day, the Quebec government hired Paul Hastings, a Quebec bankruptcy specialist firm with standing in New York State, to represent it in American proceedings.[163]Federal Railroad Administration administrator Joseph C. Szabo wrote to the MMA the following day, stating that "I was shocked to see that you changed your operating procedures to use two-person crews on trains in Canada, but not in the United States. Because the risk associated with this accident also exists in the United States, it is my expectation that the same safety procedures will apply to your operations."[165]As of December 18, 2013, the MMA was again allowed to operate between Sherbrooke and Lac-Mégantic, including going through Lac-Mégantic itself, as before the derailment. However, operations within Lac-Mégantic were subject to numerous restrictions, such as a prohibition on transport of dangerous cargo; a train's manifest being released no less than four hours ahead; no parking on tracks within 4 km (2 mi) of the town centre; a conductor and engineer must be on board; and a train's speed must not exceed 16 km/h (10 mph). On that date, a test train carrying particle board from the local Tafisa factory to Sherbrooke rolled through the town centre. There were plans to reroute the tracks outside the town by changing the track's route between Nantes and Frontenac, but no time table has been set.[166] The railway's assets were sold in a January 21, 2014 Portland bankruptcy auction to Railroad Acquisition Holdings, a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group.[167] as Central Maine and Quebec Railway (reporting mark CMQR).[168]
The two major Class I Canadian railways, Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway, have indicated that they will not be leaving unattended locomotives unlocked outside a terminal or yard; CPR tank car trains containing regulated commodities will no longer be left unattended on a main line.[145]
On August 6, 2013, Burkhardt stated that MMA has no further plans to carry oil by rail.[146] On August 7, 2013, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in both the Quebec Superior Court in Montreal (under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act)[147] and the United States Bankruptcy Court in Bangor, Maine[148] (under Chapter 11).[149]
On August 13, 2013, the Canadian Transportation Agency suspended the railway's Certificate of Fitness[150] effective August 20 because of its failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage,[151] shutting down the line.[152][153] It later extended this deadline to conditionally allow operation until October 18.[154][155] While the amount of liability insurance is not listed on the federal Certificate of Fitness for reasons unknown, MMA's bankruptcy petition disclosed an insurance policy valued at $25 million[156] and an estimated cleanup cost, which excludes damages in tort, of $200 million.[156] MMA's Certificate of Fitness was last modified in 2005, to reflect the use of the line by Orford Express (an independently owned passenger service between Magog and Sherbrooke).[157] It is unclear whether notice was given of the oil-by-rail shipments which began in 2012 despite a requirement to "notify the Agency in writing without delay if ... the ... operation has changed so that the liability insurance coverage may no longer be adequate."[157]
In Maine, state transportation authorities have contacted all rival freight operators in-state to establish a contingency plan; if MMA ceases operation, US federal law requires a trustee keep the line operating until a buyer is found because of the MMA's status as a monopoly in many communities.[158] The US has no requirement that privately owned railways carry liability insurance.[159]
On August 22, 2013, the Canadian Transportation Agency ordered CPR to reinstate delivery to MMA,[160] a move CPR (as one of multiple firms ordered by Quebec's government to pay for the costly cleanup of oil spilled by MMA at Lac-Mégantic)[161] considers an unacceptable safety risk.[citation needed] Canadian Pacific chief executive officer Hunter Harrison stated that, "While we disagree with this order, we have taken immediate steps to comply". The CTA, as federal regulator, has satisfied itself that MMA is fit to operate and has adequate insurance to do so. We will review our legal options.”[162] The CTA also found that "the balance of inconvenience clearly favours MMA as the refusal to grant the interim order would result in the virtual cessation of MMA's operations."[163] The CTA also held that issues regarding public safety were none of its concern.[163]
In separate developments also occurring on August 22, 2013, the New Brunswick and Maine Railway company, a division of the J. D. Irving conglomerate, indicated its interest to acquire the troubled MMA railway,[160] and the Canadian Transportation Agency indicated it would review insurance coverage of federally chartered railways at some point "in the fall".[164] The same day, the Quebec government hired Paul Hastings, a Quebec bankruptcy specialist firm with standing in New York State, to represent it in American proceedings.[163]
Federal Railroad Administration administrator Joseph C. Szabo wrote to the MMA the following day, stating that "I was shocked to see that you changed your operating procedures to use two-person crews on trains in Canada, but not in the United States. Because the risk associated with this accident also exists in the United States, it is my expectation that the same safety procedures will apply to your operations."[165]
As of December 18, 2013, the MMA was again allowed to operate between Sherbrooke and Lac-Mégantic, including going through Lac-Mégantic itself, as before the derailment. However, operations within Lac-Mégantic were subject to numerous restrictions, such as a prohibition on transport of dangerous cargo; a train's manifest being released no less than four hours ahead; no parking on tracks within 4 km (2 mi) of the town centre; a conductor and engineer must be on board; and a train's speed must not exceed 16 km/h (10 mph). On that date, a test train carrying particle board from the local Tafisa factory to Sherbrooke rolled through the town centre. There were plans to reroute the tracks outside the town by changing the track's route between Nantes and Frontenac, but no time table has been set.[166] The railway's assets were sold in a January 21, 2014 Portland bankruptcy auction to Railroad Acquisition Holdings, a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group.[167] as Central Maine and Quebec Railway (reporting mark CMQR).[168]
Response[edit]
On July 8, Canada's monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, issued a message expressing her and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's, "profound sadness [over the] tragic events that have befallen the town of Lac-Mégantic" and hope "that in time it will be possible to rebuild both the property and the lives of those who have been affected."[169] The Queen's federal representative,Governor General David Johnston, released a similar message on the same day,[170] as did her provincial representative, Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne, on July 6,[171] and the Queen's son, Prince Charles, and his wife on July 9.[172] On July 6, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois surveyed the scene, expressing profound sadness in response to the devastation in Lac-Mégantic,[173] The following day, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his prayers and condolences to those affected.[174]In a letter to Harper, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, expressed condolences for the "devastating loss of life" and offered American help, if needed.[175][176] French President François Hollande issued a statement expressing France's solidarity with victims and authorities.[177] Pope Francis sent a special apostolic blessing from the Vatican to those touched by the tragedy, along with his sympathy to victims, their families, and emergency workers.[178] The Maine Legislature passed a resolution on July 10 in support of the people of Lac-Mégantic;[179] speaking in French, House majority leader Seth Berry said "Aujourd'hui, nous sommes tous des citoyens de Lac-Mégantic"[180] ("Today, we are all citizens of Lac-Mégantic").Keith Stewart, Climate and Energy Campaign Coordinator with Greenpeace Canada, criticized Canada's energy policy within hours of the tragedy, saying that "whether it's pipelines or rail, we have a safety problem in this country. This is more evidence that the federal government continues to put oil profits ahead of public safety."[181]
On July 8, Canada's monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, issued a message expressing her and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's, "profound sadness [over the] tragic events that have befallen the town of Lac-Mégantic" and hope "that in time it will be possible to rebuild both the property and the lives of those who have been affected."[169] The Queen's federal representative,Governor General David Johnston, released a similar message on the same day,[170] as did her provincial representative, Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne, on July 6,[171] and the Queen's son, Prince Charles, and his wife on July 9.[172] On July 6, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois surveyed the scene, expressing profound sadness in response to the devastation in Lac-Mégantic,[173] The following day, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his prayers and condolences to those affected.[174]
In a letter to Harper, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, expressed condolences for the "devastating loss of life" and offered American help, if needed.[175][176] French President François Hollande issued a statement expressing France's solidarity with victims and authorities.[177] Pope Francis sent a special apostolic blessing from the Vatican to those touched by the tragedy, along with his sympathy to victims, their families, and emergency workers.[178] The Maine Legislature passed a resolution on July 10 in support of the people of Lac-Mégantic;[179] speaking in French, House majority leader Seth Berry said "Aujourd'hui, nous sommes tous des citoyens de Lac-Mégantic"[180] ("Today, we are all citizens of Lac-Mégantic").
Keith Stewart, Climate and Energy Campaign Coordinator with Greenpeace Canada, criticized Canada's energy policy within hours of the tragedy, saying that "whether it's pipelines or rail, we have a safety problem in this country. This is more evidence that the federal government continues to put oil profits ahead of public safety."[181]
Technical investigation[edit]
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which is prevented statutorily from issuing judgements or finding blame, started an investigation into the accident under reference R13D0054,[182] deploying a team of 20 experts to the site to gather evidence and interview officials and witnesses. While the investigation was underway, the Transportation Safety Board asked Transport Canada review the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and special instructions by railways that cover securing equipment. They also advised that trains carrying dangerous goods should not be left unattended on a main track.[183]On July 8, Transport Canada investigated a second MMA train reported by police as unattended since July 5 on the Vachon Station siding near Frontenac. That train had been parked on a slope with only five handbrakes set, and did not comply with federal regulations. At least nine brakes should have be used to secure the train on level track, with additional handbrakes applied when on an incline.[184] A local resident had posted online video of an unattended locomotive with a cabin door ajar and an engine left running.[185]On July 19, Transportation Safety Board of Canada chief investigator Donald Ross said “Not enough brakes were applied to the train that derailed. A sufficient number of brakes needed to be applied and the quality of brakes needs to be examined.”[186]TSB investigators are looking into the air brake system which is normally charged to 90 PSI (621 kPa) and, when the engineer reduces the air pressure to 65 pounds per square inch (448 kPa), applies the brakes. Investigators are trying to determine how the air brakes were released by examining the theory that a relatively small change in air pressure could have produced a “pressure wave” to trigger a quick release of the brakes.[24] However, Wally Kirkpatrick, manager of rules and operations at RTC Rail Solutions, said the air brakes could have leaked off over time once the engine was shut down.[187]Because crude oil generally does not readily ignite, TSB investigators are looking into the composition of the train's cargo. Theories being investigated are:[188]- The oil may have contained additives to speed up the transfer of the syrupy oil. This is common when shipping via pipelines but rare for shipping by rail.[188]
- There may have been chemical contaminants in the tank cars from a previous shipment. However, the MMA had a detailed bill of lading from a U.S. oil services company stating there were no chemicals in the crude.[188]
- The oil may have been contaminated with chemicals used in the fracking process.[189]
- Bakken oil can contain high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas; hydrogen sulphide is flammable, corrosive, poisonous, and explosive.[188][190] Pipeline operators Tesoro and Enbridge no longer accept crude with more than five parts per million H2S, citing safety concerns.[189]
- A local propane tank near the derailment might have exploded when struck by a rail car.[188]
- High temperatures in Quebec at the time of the derailment may have made the oil cargo more flammable.[188]
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S, sour gas), a gas which is toxic to humans and flammable, has been detected in Bakken crude by Enbridge and likely was part of the reason for the explosive nature of this event.[191][192]On July 19, 2013, the TSB issued an urgent safety advisory requesting that Transport Canada consider reviewing all railway operating procedures to ensure that trains carrying Dangerous goods are not left unattended on the main track.[60]Also on July 19, the TSB issued another urgent safety advisory requesting that Transport Canada review Rule 112 of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) and all related railway special instructions to ensure that equipment and trains left unattended are properly secured in order to prevent unintended movements. The TSB noted that most railway special instructions specify the minimum number of hand brakes needed in general operating conditions but not always for specific conditions. It is often left up to the operating employee to determine the number of hand brakes to apply. The employee must take into consideration the slope or grade of the track and the approximate tonnage of the equipment to be secured at a specific location. The TSB also noted that the effectiveness of the hand brake system varied from car to car depending on the design, condition and maintenance, and also from one operator to another due to differences in physical capability and personal technique. The TSB also stated that it is inadequate for railway operators to depend on the push–pull test to verify whether the hand brakes can hold the cars.[193]On August 1, the TSB said it has taken samples of the oil for analysis.[194] Both Canadian[195] and US investigators[196] have found the Bakken crude was not identified correctly in shipping documents,[197] and the incorrect classification led to its volatility being underestimated.[198] The following month, the TSB identified a defective piston in the head engine as the cause of the original fire in Nantes.[199]Transport Canada issued notices of non-compliance after inspection of six track segments found fair to substandard rail conditions which legally must be fixed, including a concentration of defective ties on a section near a propane storage facility.[200] On September 12, following a failed inspection, Transport Canada shut down one segment of the MMA line until hazards could be fixed.[200][201][202] Subsequent inspections led to an October 11 embargo on the line between Lennoxville and Lac-Mégantic.[203]On August 19, 2014, the TSB issued its report documenting findings and recommendations.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which is prevented statutorily from issuing judgements or finding blame, started an investigation into the accident under reference R13D0054,[182] deploying a team of 20 experts to the site to gather evidence and interview officials and witnesses. While the investigation was underway, the Transportation Safety Board asked Transport Canada review the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and special instructions by railways that cover securing equipment. They also advised that trains carrying dangerous goods should not be left unattended on a main track.[183]
On July 8, Transport Canada investigated a second MMA train reported by police as unattended since July 5 on the Vachon Station siding near Frontenac. That train had been parked on a slope with only five handbrakes set, and did not comply with federal regulations. At least nine brakes should have be used to secure the train on level track, with additional handbrakes applied when on an incline.[184] A local resident had posted online video of an unattended locomotive with a cabin door ajar and an engine left running.[185]
On July 19, Transportation Safety Board of Canada chief investigator Donald Ross said “Not enough brakes were applied to the train that derailed. A sufficient number of brakes needed to be applied and the quality of brakes needs to be examined.”[186]
TSB investigators are looking into the air brake system which is normally charged to 90 PSI (621 kPa) and, when the engineer reduces the air pressure to 65 pounds per square inch (448 kPa), applies the brakes. Investigators are trying to determine how the air brakes were released by examining the theory that a relatively small change in air pressure could have produced a “pressure wave” to trigger a quick release of the brakes.[24] However, Wally Kirkpatrick, manager of rules and operations at RTC Rail Solutions, said the air brakes could have leaked off over time once the engine was shut down.[187]
Because crude oil generally does not readily ignite, TSB investigators are looking into the composition of the train's cargo. Theories being investigated are:[188]
- The oil may have contained additives to speed up the transfer of the syrupy oil. This is common when shipping via pipelines but rare for shipping by rail.[188]
- There may have been chemical contaminants in the tank cars from a previous shipment. However, the MMA had a detailed bill of lading from a U.S. oil services company stating there were no chemicals in the crude.[188]
- The oil may have been contaminated with chemicals used in the fracking process.[189]
- Bakken oil can contain high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas; hydrogen sulphide is flammable, corrosive, poisonous, and explosive.[188][190] Pipeline operators Tesoro and Enbridge no longer accept crude with more than five parts per million H2S, citing safety concerns.[189]
- A local propane tank near the derailment might have exploded when struck by a rail car.[188]
- High temperatures in Quebec at the time of the derailment may have made the oil cargo more flammable.[188]
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S, sour gas), a gas which is toxic to humans and flammable, has been detected in Bakken crude by Enbridge and likely was part of the reason for the explosive nature of this event.[191][192]
On July 19, 2013, the TSB issued an urgent safety advisory requesting that Transport Canada consider reviewing all railway operating procedures to ensure that trains carrying Dangerous goods are not left unattended on the main track.[60]
Also on July 19, the TSB issued another urgent safety advisory requesting that Transport Canada review Rule 112 of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) and all related railway special instructions to ensure that equipment and trains left unattended are properly secured in order to prevent unintended movements. The TSB noted that most railway special instructions specify the minimum number of hand brakes needed in general operating conditions but not always for specific conditions. It is often left up to the operating employee to determine the number of hand brakes to apply. The employee must take into consideration the slope or grade of the track and the approximate tonnage of the equipment to be secured at a specific location. The TSB also noted that the effectiveness of the hand brake system varied from car to car depending on the design, condition and maintenance, and also from one operator to another due to differences in physical capability and personal technique. The TSB also stated that it is inadequate for railway operators to depend on the push–pull test to verify whether the hand brakes can hold the cars.[193]
On August 1, the TSB said it has taken samples of the oil for analysis.[194] Both Canadian[195] and US investigators[196] have found the Bakken crude was not identified correctly in shipping documents,[197] and the incorrect classification led to its volatility being underestimated.[198] The following month, the TSB identified a defective piston in the head engine as the cause of the original fire in Nantes.[199]
Transport Canada issued notices of non-compliance after inspection of six track segments found fair to substandard rail conditions which legally must be fixed, including a concentration of defective ties on a section near a propane storage facility.[200] On September 12, following a failed inspection, Transport Canada shut down one segment of the MMA line until hazards could be fixed.[200][201][202] Subsequent inspections led to an October 11 embargo on the line between Lennoxville and Lac-Mégantic.[203]
On August 19, 2014, the TSB issued its report documenting findings and recommendations.
Findings[edit]
In its August 2014 report, the TSB identified 18 distinct causes and contributing factors, many of them influencing one another:[41][42][43]- Factors related to the locomotive (5017), the lead locomotive on the derailed train:
- Mechanical problems not remedied: An engineer reported trouble with the locomotive 5017’s engine on a separate trip two days before the crash in Lac-Mégantic. The locomotive remained in service despite that concern.[42]
- Non-standard engine repair failure: A quick and cheap repair using inappropriate materials allowed oil to accumulate in the turbocharger and exhaust manifold, resulting in a fire.[42]
- Locomotive engine fire: In order to put out the fire, the Nantes fire department shut down the locomotive thus inadvertently disabling the air brakes.
- Safety device not wired to initiate braking: The “reset safety control” system was not wired to set the entire train’s brakes in the event of an engine failure.[42]
- Factor related to the tank cars:
- Breached tank cars and highly volatile crude oil: The tank cars were prone to puncture and the Bakken oil was highly volatile.
- Factors related to Transport Canada's role in providing oversight of railway operations:
- Inadequate oversight of operational changes: Transport Canada did not provide adequate regulatory oversight to ensure the associated risks were addressed when the MMA made significant operational changes.[43]
- Limited follow-up on safety deficiencies: Transport Canada did not follow up to ensure that recurring safety deficiencies were dealt with.[42]
- Inefficient program to audit safety management systems (SMS): Audits were limited in frequency and scope and had no follow-up procedure.
- Factor related to the derailment:
- Excessive train speed for track: At the point of derailment, the train was travelling at 105 km/h, more than triple the typical speed for that location.[42]
- Factors related to train securement:
- Independent air brakes leaked off: With all the locomotives shut down, the air compressor no longer supplied air to the air brake system. As air leaked from the brake system, the main air reservoirs were slowly depleted, gradually reducing the effectiveness of the locomotive air brakes.
- Improper handbrake test: The engineer erroneously did the brake test with the locomotive air brakes left on. This gave the false impression that the hand brakes alone would hold the train.
- Insufficient hand brakes: The engineer set 7 hand brakes. The TSB said that a minimum of 17 were technically required and perhaps as many as 26.
- Factors related to MMA practices:
- Train left unattended on hill: The train was parked unattended on the main line, on a descending grade, and the securement of the train was reliant on a locomotive that was in deteriorating operating condition.[43]
- No additional safety defences: No additional physical safety defences (such as a derail) were in place to prevent the uncontrolled movement of the train.[43]
- Ineffective training and oversight on train securement: The MMA did not provide effective training or oversight to ensure that crews understood and complied with rules governing train securement.[43]
- Weak safety culture: The MMA was reactive rather than proactive when it came to safety. The MMA had weak safety training. There were also significant gaps between the company's operating instructions and how work was done day to day.
- Safety management system (SMS) not fully implemented: Although MMA had developed a safety management system in 2002, the company did not begin to implement it until 2010. By 2013, the SMS was still not functioning effectively.
- Not effectively managing risks: When making significant operational changes, the MMA did not thoroughly identify and manage the risks to ensure safe operations.[43]
Single person train operation, initially investigated as a 19th factor in the derailment, was omitted from the final report.[204] A second operator could have provided a second opinion about the thick smoke from the defective engine or verified the number of brakes to be set to hold the train on an incline.The TSB report also contains 16 findings as to risk even though these safety risks did not lead directly to the accident. Some of the risks that the TSB recommends to be addressed are:- the continuing risk of leaving trains unattended.
- the risk of implementing single-person train operations.
- the risk of not systematically testing petroleum crude oil.
- the risk of not planning and analysing routes on which dangerous goods are carried.
- the risk of not having emergency response assistance plans in place.
- the risk of Transport Canada not ensuring that safety management systems work effectively.
In its August 2014 report, the TSB identified 18 distinct causes and contributing factors, many of them influencing one another:[41][42][43]
- Factors related to the locomotive (5017), the lead locomotive on the derailed train:
- Mechanical problems not remedied: An engineer reported trouble with the locomotive 5017’s engine on a separate trip two days before the crash in Lac-Mégantic. The locomotive remained in service despite that concern.[42]
- Non-standard engine repair failure: A quick and cheap repair using inappropriate materials allowed oil to accumulate in the turbocharger and exhaust manifold, resulting in a fire.[42]
- Locomotive engine fire: In order to put out the fire, the Nantes fire department shut down the locomotive thus inadvertently disabling the air brakes.
- Safety device not wired to initiate braking: The “reset safety control” system was not wired to set the entire train’s brakes in the event of an engine failure.[42]
- Factor related to the tank cars:
- Breached tank cars and highly volatile crude oil: The tank cars were prone to puncture and the Bakken oil was highly volatile.
- Factors related to Transport Canada's role in providing oversight of railway operations:
- Inadequate oversight of operational changes: Transport Canada did not provide adequate regulatory oversight to ensure the associated risks were addressed when the MMA made significant operational changes.[43]
- Limited follow-up on safety deficiencies: Transport Canada did not follow up to ensure that recurring safety deficiencies were dealt with.[42]
- Inefficient program to audit safety management systems (SMS): Audits were limited in frequency and scope and had no follow-up procedure.
- Factor related to the derailment:
- Excessive train speed for track: At the point of derailment, the train was travelling at 105 km/h, more than triple the typical speed for that location.[42]
- Factors related to train securement:
- Independent air brakes leaked off: With all the locomotives shut down, the air compressor no longer supplied air to the air brake system. As air leaked from the brake system, the main air reservoirs were slowly depleted, gradually reducing the effectiveness of the locomotive air brakes.
- Improper handbrake test: The engineer erroneously did the brake test with the locomotive air brakes left on. This gave the false impression that the hand brakes alone would hold the train.
- Insufficient hand brakes: The engineer set 7 hand brakes. The TSB said that a minimum of 17 were technically required and perhaps as many as 26.
- Factors related to MMA practices:
- Train left unattended on hill: The train was parked unattended on the main line, on a descending grade, and the securement of the train was reliant on a locomotive that was in deteriorating operating condition.[43]
- No additional safety defences: No additional physical safety defences (such as a derail) were in place to prevent the uncontrolled movement of the train.[43]
- Ineffective training and oversight on train securement: The MMA did not provide effective training or oversight to ensure that crews understood and complied with rules governing train securement.[43]
- Weak safety culture: The MMA was reactive rather than proactive when it came to safety. The MMA had weak safety training. There were also significant gaps between the company's operating instructions and how work was done day to day.
- Safety management system (SMS) not fully implemented: Although MMA had developed a safety management system in 2002, the company did not begin to implement it until 2010. By 2013, the SMS was still not functioning effectively.
- Not effectively managing risks: When making significant operational changes, the MMA did not thoroughly identify and manage the risks to ensure safe operations.[43]
Single person train operation, initially investigated as a 19th factor in the derailment, was omitted from the final report.[204] A second operator could have provided a second opinion about the thick smoke from the defective engine or verified the number of brakes to be set to hold the train on an incline.
The TSB report also contains 16 findings as to risk even though these safety risks did not lead directly to the accident. Some of the risks that the TSB recommends to be addressed are:
- the continuing risk of leaving trains unattended.
- the risk of implementing single-person train operations.
- the risk of not systematically testing petroleum crude oil.
- the risk of not planning and analysing routes on which dangerous goods are carried.
- the risk of not having emergency response assistance plans in place.
- the risk of Transport Canada not ensuring that safety management systems work effectively.
Recommendations[edit]
In its August 2014 report, the TSB documented the following recommendations:[41]- Transport Canada must take a more hands-on role when it comes to railways' safety management systems—making sure not just that they exist, but that they are working and that they are effective. (New recommendation.) Railways draw up Safety Management Systems and file them with Transport Canada for approval. The TSB wants Transport Canada to audit Safety Management Systems frequently and in depth to ensure they are being implemented as designed.[205]
- Canadian railways must put in place additional physical defences to prevent runaways. (New recommendation.) The TSB wants Transport Canada to require trains to use wheel chocks for parked trains, or install more modern and better braking technology to hold parked trains in place.[205]
- Emergency response assistance plans must be created when large volumes of liquid hydrocarbons, like oil, are shipped. (New recommendation.) The TSB wants Emergency Response Assistance Plans in place to handle accidents with hazardous materials including crude oil which was previously not included. This is to ensure that the appropriate emergency equipment is available along the route.[205]
- Railway companies should conduct strategic route-planning and enhance train operations for all trains carrying dangerous goods. (Recommendation made in January, 2014.) The TSB wants railways to choose their routes carefully when shipping dangerous goods to avoid populated areas. Railways are resisting this recommendation because of cost of relocating routes away from population centres.[205]
- Enhanced protection standards must be put in place for Class 111 tank cars. (Recommendation made in June, 2014.) The TSB wants to retire all the old DOT-111 tank cars. A problem with this recommendation is that the oil that exploded at Lac-Mégantic was so volatile that it would likely tear through any DOT-111 railcar, old or new.[205]
In its August 2014 report, the TSB documented the following recommendations:[41]
- Transport Canada must take a more hands-on role when it comes to railways' safety management systems—making sure not just that they exist, but that they are working and that they are effective. (New recommendation.) Railways draw up Safety Management Systems and file them with Transport Canada for approval. The TSB wants Transport Canada to audit Safety Management Systems frequently and in depth to ensure they are being implemented as designed.[205]
- Canadian railways must put in place additional physical defences to prevent runaways. (New recommendation.) The TSB wants Transport Canada to require trains to use wheel chocks for parked trains, or install more modern and better braking technology to hold parked trains in place.[205]
- Emergency response assistance plans must be created when large volumes of liquid hydrocarbons, like oil, are shipped. (New recommendation.) The TSB wants Emergency Response Assistance Plans in place to handle accidents with hazardous materials including crude oil which was previously not included. This is to ensure that the appropriate emergency equipment is available along the route.[205]
- Railway companies should conduct strategic route-planning and enhance train operations for all trains carrying dangerous goods. (Recommendation made in January, 2014.) The TSB wants railways to choose their routes carefully when shipping dangerous goods to avoid populated areas. Railways are resisting this recommendation because of cost of relocating routes away from population centres.[205]
- Enhanced protection standards must be put in place for Class 111 tank cars. (Recommendation made in June, 2014.) The TSB wants to retire all the old DOT-111 tank cars. A problem with this recommendation is that the oil that exploded at Lac-Mégantic was so volatile that it would likely tear through any DOT-111 railcar, old or new.[205]
Omissions in the TSB report[edit]
The TSB did not address the problem of volatile oil in its report into the disaster. The oil that exploded was extremely light having properties similar to gasoline. The oil was prone to gasification before and during transit, and its vapours are believed to have been the reason for the large explosions at Lac-Mégantic.[205]
The TSB did not address the problem of volatile oil in its report into the disaster. The oil that exploded was extremely light having properties similar to gasoline. The oil was prone to gasification before and during transit, and its vapours are believed to have been the reason for the large explosions at Lac-Mégantic.[205]
Criminal investigation[edit]
The provincial police organisation, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), has led the recovery of the deceased in Lac-Mégantic, alongside the Bureau du Coroner du Québec.[206]The SQ investigated the MMA railway offices in Farnham, Quebec, on July, 25 with a warrant and planned to seize evidence about the fatal event.[207] It is unknown[when?] whether the SQ has plans to broaden the scope of their investigation to include, for example, the broker at World Fuel Services who chose to employ deficient DOT-111 tank cars.[208]On May 12, 2014, the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway was charged with 47 counts of criminal negligence; engineer Thomas Harding, manager of train operations Jean DeMaître andrail traffic controller Richard Labrie were arrested and appeared in Lac-Mégantic's court.[209][210] Of the 79 railcars only 7 brakes had been applied, where MMA guidelines indicate 9 as a minimum and experts advise 15 brakes should have been used for the slope the train was on. No manual brakes had been applied on 72 of the cars.[211]The United Steelworkers union in Quebec, which represents the engineer and controller, has denounced the failure to lay charges against CEO Ed Burkhardt,[212] and is raising funds for the legal defence of unionised workers whom it identifies as scapegoats.[213]The defective locomotive MMA 5017, a key piece of evidence in the criminal enquiry, inexplicably turned up at the former MMA Derby Yard in Milo, Maine, as part of a collection of equipment destined to an August 2014 auction on behalf of the Bangor Savings Bank, a creditor.[214] The engine was removed from the auction in response to Surêté du Québec objections.
The provincial police organisation, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), has led the recovery of the deceased in Lac-Mégantic, alongside the Bureau du Coroner du Québec.[206]
The SQ investigated the MMA railway offices in Farnham, Quebec, on July, 25 with a warrant and planned to seize evidence about the fatal event.[207] It is unknown[when?] whether the SQ has plans to broaden the scope of their investigation to include, for example, the broker at World Fuel Services who chose to employ deficient DOT-111 tank cars.[208]
On May 12, 2014, the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway was charged with 47 counts of criminal negligence; engineer Thomas Harding, manager of train operations Jean DeMaître andrail traffic controller Richard Labrie were arrested and appeared in Lac-Mégantic's court.[209][210] Of the 79 railcars only 7 brakes had been applied, where MMA guidelines indicate 9 as a minimum and experts advise 15 brakes should have been used for the slope the train was on. No manual brakes had been applied on 72 of the cars.[211]
The United Steelworkers union in Quebec, which represents the engineer and controller, has denounced the failure to lay charges against CEO Ed Burkhardt,[212] and is raising funds for the legal defence of unionised workers whom it identifies as scapegoats.[213]
The defective locomotive MMA 5017, a key piece of evidence in the criminal enquiry, inexplicably turned up at the former MMA Derby Yard in Milo, Maine, as part of a collection of equipment destined to an August 2014 auction on behalf of the Bangor Savings Bank, a creditor.[214] The engine was removed from the auction in response to Surêté du Québec objections.
Environmental impact[edit]
This section is outdated. (October 2014)
The city prohibited all access to the downtown (including Frontenac, Thibodeau, Durand Streets and the boulevard des Vétérans) until June 2014 to permit a massive decontamination effort.[215][dated info] The soil decontamination is (as of January 2014) now expected to take until December 2014, although the water table appears uncontaminated.[216] Some buildings that are still standing, such as the local post office in Lac-Mégantic, are a total loss due to oil contamination.[217] It may take up to five years to decontaminate some sites where homes formerly stood, forcing householders to rebuild elsewhere.[218]
 | This section is outdated. (October 2014) |
The city prohibited all access to the downtown (including Frontenac, Thibodeau, Durand Streets and the boulevard des Vétérans) until June 2014 to permit a massive decontamination effort.[215][dated info] The soil decontamination is (as of January 2014) now expected to take until December 2014, although the water table appears uncontaminated.[216] Some buildings that are still standing, such as the local post office in Lac-Mégantic, are a total loss due to oil contamination.[217] It may take up to five years to decontaminate some sites where homes formerly stood, forcing householders to rebuild elsewhere.[218]
Contamination of land[edit]
The disaster site was so heavily contaminated with benzene that firefighters and investigators in the first month worked in fifteen-minute shifts due to heat and toxic conditions.[219] The waterfront at Veteran's Park and the town marina were contaminated by hydrocarbons, which were contained by a series of booms. This rendered vessels and docks inaccessible until they can be removed from the water and decontaminated,[220] a process which was to take until late August 2013 to complete.[221]A hundred residents were not expected to return home until mid-2014[dated info] as the ground beneath their still-standing houses is contaminated with oil;[222] some homes in the most-contaminated areas might never be habitable.[223]Because the cleanup of the derailment area could take 5 years, about 115 businesses are planning to relocate. 40 buildings have already been destroyed but another 160 may need to be expropriated for demolition because they sit on several metres of contaminated soil which must be removed and replaced with clean fill. Subsequent reconstruction on the site may initially be impractical as new buildings would require deeper foundations until the new fill settles. The town is considering making a memorial park in the damaged area[224] and relocating displaced businesses to a proposed Papineau Street extension to cross the Chaudière River to Lévis Street.[225] The new road is to be constructed in October 2013[dated info] using federal and provincial infrastructure funding, although insurance coverage for local companies to abandon contaminated sites remains uncertain. For 125 businesses, the move is expected to be permanent.[226]Workers at the downtown site have expressed concern that cleanup efforts are being delayed by management, leaving workers often idle on-site and allowing work to proceed only at a snail's pace.[227] The downtown was most affected; over thirty buildings destroyed by the disaster itself, with thirty-six of the thirty-nine remaining buildings slated for demolition due to contamination of the underlying soil. In December 2014, local residents were given one last chance to tour what remained of the downtown before demolition.[9]
The disaster site was so heavily contaminated with benzene that firefighters and investigators in the first month worked in fifteen-minute shifts due to heat and toxic conditions.[219] The waterfront at Veteran's Park and the town marina were contaminated by hydrocarbons, which were contained by a series of booms. This rendered vessels and docks inaccessible until they can be removed from the water and decontaminated,[220] a process which was to take until late August 2013 to complete.[221]
A hundred residents were not expected to return home until mid-2014[dated info] as the ground beneath their still-standing houses is contaminated with oil;[222] some homes in the most-contaminated areas might never be habitable.[223]
Because the cleanup of the derailment area could take 5 years, about 115 businesses are planning to relocate. 40 buildings have already been destroyed but another 160 may need to be expropriated for demolition because they sit on several metres of contaminated soil which must be removed and replaced with clean fill. Subsequent reconstruction on the site may initially be impractical as new buildings would require deeper foundations until the new fill settles. The town is considering making a memorial park in the damaged area[224] and relocating displaced businesses to a proposed Papineau Street extension to cross the Chaudière River to Lévis Street.[225] The new road is to be constructed in October 2013[dated info] using federal and provincial infrastructure funding, although insurance coverage for local companies to abandon contaminated sites remains uncertain. For 125 businesses, the move is expected to be permanent.[226]
Workers at the downtown site have expressed concern that cleanup efforts are being delayed by management, leaving workers often idle on-site and allowing work to proceed only at a snail's pace.[227] The downtown was most affected; over thirty buildings destroyed by the disaster itself, with thirty-six of the thirty-nine remaining buildings slated for demolition due to contamination of the underlying soil. In December 2014, local residents were given one last chance to tour what remained of the downtown before demolition.[9]
Contamination of waterways[edit]
The Chaudière River was contaminated by an estimated 100,000 litres (22,000 imp gal; 26,000 US gal) of oil. The spill travelled down the river and reached the town of Saint-Georges 80 kilometres (50 mi) to the northeast, forcing local authorities to draw water from a nearby lake and install floating barriers to prevent contamination. Residents were asked to limit their water consumption as the lake was not able to supply the daily needs of the town.[228] Swimming and fishing were prohibited in the Chaudière River, as was the use of scarce municipal water to fillswimming pools or water flower beds.[229] Restrictions on drawing potable water from the river remained in effect two months later.[230] A temporary system of aboveground pipes feeding water to Lévis from the Beaurivage River is expected to cost $2 million, not including any measures to protect the line against freezing in winter.[231]Environmentalists have reported heavy contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and believe arsenic levels to be well above legal limits.[232]
The Chaudière River was contaminated by an estimated 100,000 litres (22,000 imp gal; 26,000 US gal) of oil. The spill travelled down the river and reached the town of Saint-Georges 80 kilometres (50 mi) to the northeast, forcing local authorities to draw water from a nearby lake and install floating barriers to prevent contamination. Residents were asked to limit their water consumption as the lake was not able to supply the daily needs of the town.[228] Swimming and fishing were prohibited in the Chaudière River, as was the use of scarce municipal water to fillswimming pools or water flower beds.[229] Restrictions on drawing potable water from the river remained in effect two months later.[230] A temporary system of aboveground pipes feeding water to Lévis from the Beaurivage River is expected to cost $2 million, not including any measures to protect the line against freezing in winter.[231]
Environmentalists have reported heavy contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and believe arsenic levels to be well above legal limits.[232]
Cleanup and environmental costs[edit]
MMA contractors responsible for removing oil and damaged rail cars from downtown Lac-Mégantic stopped work on July 17 as the railway had not paid them.[233] Work soon resumed under municipal (and later provincial) funding.[234] As of July 30 the municipality was demanding MMA reimburse $7.6 million in cleanup costs.[235] Rail World CEO Ed Burkhardt indicated "we’re unable to fund that out of our own cash, so we’re waiting for the insurance company to come forward".[236]Provincial environment minister Yves-François Blanchet issued a July 29 order under the Quality of the Environment Act [237] requiring MMA, Western Petroleum Company and its parentWorld Fuel Services pay the full cost of clean-up and damage assessment.[238] Canadian Pacific Railway was added on August 14[239] after World Fuel Services, as shipper of the crude oil, claimed its only contractual relationship is to the CPR with MMA (as CP's subcontractor)[240] exercising sole control of the site.[241] The claim that MMA was contracted by CP (and not WFS) has since been drawn into question.[242] Blanchet stated “I will leave it up to lawyers, but let’s be clear: under the law on environmental quality, the minister does not ask for, or suggest, compensation ... he orders it."[243] CP intends to appeal the order.[243][244][245][246][247]
MMA contractors responsible for removing oil and damaged rail cars from downtown Lac-Mégantic stopped work on July 17 as the railway had not paid them.[233] Work soon resumed under municipal (and later provincial) funding.[234] As of July 30 the municipality was demanding MMA reimburse $7.6 million in cleanup costs.[235] Rail World CEO Ed Burkhardt indicated "we’re unable to fund that out of our own cash, so we’re waiting for the insurance company to come forward".[236]
Provincial environment minister Yves-François Blanchet issued a July 29 order under the Quality of the Environment Act [237] requiring MMA, Western Petroleum Company and its parentWorld Fuel Services pay the full cost of clean-up and damage assessment.[238] Canadian Pacific Railway was added on August 14[239] after World Fuel Services, as shipper of the crude oil, claimed its only contractual relationship is to the CPR with MMA (as CP's subcontractor)[240] exercising sole control of the site.[241] The claim that MMA was contracted by CP (and not WFS) has since been drawn into question.[242] Blanchet stated “I will leave it up to lawyers, but let’s be clear: under the law on environmental quality, the minister does not ask for, or suggest, compensation ... he orders it."[243] CP intends to appeal the order.[243][244][245][246][247]
Political impact[edit]
Following the accident, the MMA temporarily ceased operations on its lines between Lac-Mégantic and Jackman, Maine,[158] effectively severing rail transport on its lines between Maine and Quebec, though rail traffic continued outside the affected area. In Quebec, MMA continued operation from Farnham with a skeleton staff after the derailment, having laid off 19 of its 75 workers without notice on July 19[248] and an additional five on July 30;[249] these workers have not received severance and vacation pay owed.[250] In Maine, 64 MMA employees were laid off as a result of the derailment.[146]
Following the accident, the MMA temporarily ceased operations on its lines between Lac-Mégantic and Jackman, Maine,[158] effectively severing rail transport on its lines between Maine and Quebec, though rail traffic continued outside the affected area. In Quebec, MMA continued operation from Farnham with a skeleton staff after the derailment, having laid off 19 of its 75 workers without notice on July 19[248] and an additional five on July 30;[249] these workers have not received severance and vacation pay owed.[250] In Maine, 64 MMA employees were laid off as a result of the derailment.[146]
Municipal reaction[edit]
Local governments in various communities across Canada have expressed concern not only that railways are exempted from all local regulations (as they are under federal jurisdiction) but that information on the content of dangerous goods shipments is being deliberately, systematically withheld from municipal leaders whose duties include disaster planning and 9-1-1emergency response.[251][252][253]On August 23, 2013, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities rail safety working group urged the Federal government to act swiftly on rail safety. The FCM working group had three recommendations:[254]- Help equip and support municipal first responders, and keep them informed of the type of dangerous goods being transported by rail through their communities in order to help plan for emergencies.
- Ensure federal and industry policies and regulations address municipalities' rail safety concerns and include those concerns in risk assessment and policy development on rail safety.
- Solidify the regulation of third-party liability insurance for rail companies so the costs of rail disasters are not borne by local taxpayers.
In Montmagny, a community on the CN line through Lévis, mayor Jean-Guy Desrosiers has expressed concern about the 60-mile-per-hour (97 km/h) dangerous materials trains which have appeared increasingly frequently now that the former CP line through Lac-Mégantic is inoperable; neither the city nor police and fire responders are informed of the content of these shipments, leaving questions as to the readiness of the municipality to respond to further derailments.[255]Magog mayor Vicky May Hamm made an Access to Information Act enquiry for track inspection data, train scheduling information and products transported. The federal response acknowledged that inspections found three problematic track sections, but provided no further information.[256] Sherbrooke has made similar demands. While US authorities have made Maine track inspection data available quickly, the Canadian government is expected to take eight months to a year to comply with the Access to Information Act enquiries.[257]According to the Brandon Sun, the Brandon Police Service and Brandon Fire Department indicate they are not provided dangerous goods lists by rail companies.[258] Cote St Luc, Quebecmayor Anthony Housefather expressed concern in a recent council meeting about the lack of data: “I’m not the federal government, I didn’t determine if the railways have an obligation to provide [the information] to the municipalities or anyone else,” the mayor added. “The federal government should be doing that. I had one opportunity to get it for our city to work on our emergency measures plan and make sure that we’re prepared, and I prefer to have the information than not have it.... Until such time as the federal government adopts more stringent requirements on the railways, anything we receive as information as a city comes from the sufferance of the railway, meaning we need to have a good relationship with the railway to get anything because they have no legal obligation under federal law to provide it to us,”[259]Farnham's town council passed a resolution asking that the operation of a rail line that cuts the town in two be suspended until Transport Canada conducts a full inspection of the rails; Farnham mayor Josef Hüsler has also requested subsidies to move the rail yard outside the town and replace a level crossing at Quebec Route 104 with an overpass.[260]Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume has offered that city's continued support for the reconstruction effort (the city already has emergency workers on-site)[261] and called for the immediate construction of 1–2 km of new track to reconnect Lac-Mégantic's industrial park to the rails, bypassing the damaged downtown. He praised local mayor Colette Roy-Laroche unequivocally while denouncing Rail World CEO Burkhardt as a "corporate bum" whose modus operandi of taking large dividends in profit while leaving company coffers nearly empty would allow the railway to declare bankruptcy, leaving taxpayers to foot the huge cost of rebuilding Lac-Mégantic.[262][263] Quebec City has also sent an expert from its museum of civilisation to identify artefacts in the wreckage which should be preserved for inclusion in a future monument, memorial park or exhibit.[264]Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon has asked that municipalities be permitted to limit the speed of trains in populated areas, as homes and schools built fifty years ago near rail lines then carrying wood, grain and cereals are now endangered by high-speed hazardous goods trains.[265]Dourdan, France mayor Olivier Leglois has offered condolences to the mayor of Lac-Mégantic[266] at the request of Le Chêne et l'Érable, a Dourdan local organisation supporting the sister city link between the two towns.[267] While Dourdan has provided no immediate aid, its local government intends to support secondary efforts such as reconstruction of the town's library,[266]which suffered nearly two and a half million dollars in damage and is a complete loss.[268] While the local archives cannot be replaced,[269] various universities and local groups in Quebec have collected books for a new Bibliothèque Mégantic.[270]Sister city Farmington, Maine sent firefighters to fight the blaze,[271] raised over $6000 in local donations in the first few days after the derailment and had local officials meet with their Méganticois counterparts to offer aid and support.[272] Both the municipality[273] and the Farmington library[274] have contacted their direct counterparts in other Maine municipalities to enlist their aid.
Local governments in various communities across Canada have expressed concern not only that railways are exempted from all local regulations (as they are under federal jurisdiction) but that information on the content of dangerous goods shipments is being deliberately, systematically withheld from municipal leaders whose duties include disaster planning and 9-1-1emergency response.[251][252][253]
On August 23, 2013, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities rail safety working group urged the Federal government to act swiftly on rail safety. The FCM working group had three recommendations:[254]
- Help equip and support municipal first responders, and keep them informed of the type of dangerous goods being transported by rail through their communities in order to help plan for emergencies.
- Ensure federal and industry policies and regulations address municipalities' rail safety concerns and include those concerns in risk assessment and policy development on rail safety.
- Solidify the regulation of third-party liability insurance for rail companies so the costs of rail disasters are not borne by local taxpayers.
In Montmagny, a community on the CN line through Lévis, mayor Jean-Guy Desrosiers has expressed concern about the 60-mile-per-hour (97 km/h) dangerous materials trains which have appeared increasingly frequently now that the former CP line through Lac-Mégantic is inoperable; neither the city nor police and fire responders are informed of the content of these shipments, leaving questions as to the readiness of the municipality to respond to further derailments.[255]
Magog mayor Vicky May Hamm made an Access to Information Act enquiry for track inspection data, train scheduling information and products transported. The federal response acknowledged that inspections found three problematic track sections, but provided no further information.[256] Sherbrooke has made similar demands. While US authorities have made Maine track inspection data available quickly, the Canadian government is expected to take eight months to a year to comply with the Access to Information Act enquiries.[257]
According to the Brandon Sun, the Brandon Police Service and Brandon Fire Department indicate they are not provided dangerous goods lists by rail companies.[258] Cote St Luc, Quebecmayor Anthony Housefather expressed concern in a recent council meeting about the lack of data: “I’m not the federal government, I didn’t determine if the railways have an obligation to provide [the information] to the municipalities or anyone else,” the mayor added. “The federal government should be doing that. I had one opportunity to get it for our city to work on our emergency measures plan and make sure that we’re prepared, and I prefer to have the information than not have it.... Until such time as the federal government adopts more stringent requirements on the railways, anything we receive as information as a city comes from the sufferance of the railway, meaning we need to have a good relationship with the railway to get anything because they have no legal obligation under federal law to provide it to us,”[259]
Farnham's town council passed a resolution asking that the operation of a rail line that cuts the town in two be suspended until Transport Canada conducts a full inspection of the rails; Farnham mayor Josef Hüsler has also requested subsidies to move the rail yard outside the town and replace a level crossing at Quebec Route 104 with an overpass.[260]
Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume has offered that city's continued support for the reconstruction effort (the city already has emergency workers on-site)[261] and called for the immediate construction of 1–2 km of new track to reconnect Lac-Mégantic's industrial park to the rails, bypassing the damaged downtown. He praised local mayor Colette Roy-Laroche unequivocally while denouncing Rail World CEO Burkhardt as a "corporate bum" whose modus operandi of taking large dividends in profit while leaving company coffers nearly empty would allow the railway to declare bankruptcy, leaving taxpayers to foot the huge cost of rebuilding Lac-Mégantic.[262][263] Quebec City has also sent an expert from its museum of civilisation to identify artefacts in the wreckage which should be preserved for inclusion in a future monument, memorial park or exhibit.[264]
Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon has asked that municipalities be permitted to limit the speed of trains in populated areas, as homes and schools built fifty years ago near rail lines then carrying wood, grain and cereals are now endangered by high-speed hazardous goods trains.[265]
Dourdan, France mayor Olivier Leglois has offered condolences to the mayor of Lac-Mégantic[266] at the request of Le Chêne et l'Érable, a Dourdan local organisation supporting the sister city link between the two towns.[267] While Dourdan has provided no immediate aid, its local government intends to support secondary efforts such as reconstruction of the town's library,[266]which suffered nearly two and a half million dollars in damage and is a complete loss.[268] While the local archives cannot be replaced,[269] various universities and local groups in Quebec have collected books for a new Bibliothèque Mégantic.[270]
Sister city Farmington, Maine sent firefighters to fight the blaze,[271] raised over $6000 in local donations in the first few days after the derailment and had local officials meet with their Méganticois counterparts to offer aid and support.[272] Both the municipality[273] and the Farmington library[274] have contacted their direct counterparts in other Maine municipalities to enlist their aid.
Provincial reaction[edit]
During a July 11 visit Premier Marois criticized the rail company's response, while announcing a $60-million fund for survivor assistance and rebuilding.[275] Ten days later, the federal government had yet to commit to any specific aid for the stricken community, despite requests from the municipality for help to rebuild damaged infrastructure and reroute the rails outside the stricken downtown.[276]During an annual premiers' conference, the Council of the Federation, provincial leaders called for stricter requirements for liability insurance for rail carriers, real-time information on content and location of dangerous goods trains for officials at all levels of government and a federally supported national emergency response program.[277][278]The premiers of Quebec and all four Atlantic provinces, as well as all six New England governors, have called for stricter federal regulation of dangerous goods by rail in both nations.[279]A 2001 Quebec law (Article 8 of the Loi sur la sécurité civile) for which the corresponding regulations were never enacted was cited on 19 August 2013 by Vision Montréal, a municipal political party. Under that law, a company conducting activities or holding materials which could cause a major disaster would be required to disclose these risks to municipalities, indicating the potential damage and any contingency plans.[280]
During a July 11 visit Premier Marois criticized the rail company's response, while announcing a $60-million fund for survivor assistance and rebuilding.[275] Ten days later, the federal government had yet to commit to any specific aid for the stricken community, despite requests from the municipality for help to rebuild damaged infrastructure and reroute the rails outside the stricken downtown.[276]
During an annual premiers' conference, the Council of the Federation, provincial leaders called for stricter requirements for liability insurance for rail carriers, real-time information on content and location of dangerous goods trains for officials at all levels of government and a federally supported national emergency response program.[277][278]
The premiers of Quebec and all four Atlantic provinces, as well as all six New England governors, have called for stricter federal regulation of dangerous goods by rail in both nations.[279]
A 2001 Quebec law (Article 8 of the Loi sur la sécurité civile) for which the corresponding regulations were never enacted was cited on 19 August 2013 by Vision Montréal, a municipal political party. Under that law, a company conducting activities or holding materials which could cause a major disaster would be required to disclose these risks to municipalities, indicating the potential damage and any contingency plans.[280]
Maine and United States[edit]
In Maine, where oil-by-rail has attracted environmental protests,[281] the state legislature voted 91–52 for a study on transportation of crude oil through the state. The proposed study was vetoed by the state's governor[282] and the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) has no plans to review movements of crude oil through Maine.[283] Maine governor Paul Lepage has advocated federal review of all procedures affecting rail safety on both sides of the border.[284]Maine's US representatives Michaud and Pingree proposed “The Safe Freight Act,” a federal bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains, and are demanding the older DOT-111 design be replaced by sturdier cars for dangerous goods shipments.[285][286]The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has launched a full re-inspection of the 275 miles (443 km) of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway's track in Maine.[287] A committee of local mayors representing the Quebec municipalities along the line (Sutton, Magog, Sherbrooke, Farnham, Lac-Mégantic, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Cowansville) have called for a similar investigation by the government of Canada.[288] The FRA also established an "Emergency Order establishing additional requirements for attendance and securement of certain freight trains and vehicles on mainline track or mainline siding outside of a yard or terminal" on August 2, 2013.[289]The Maine Department of Transportation is working to establish contingency plans for local industry which uses MMA's rail lines. The state has contacted every Maine freight rail operator, seeking a trustee who could keep the line running should MMA cease operations.[290][291]
In Maine, where oil-by-rail has attracted environmental protests,[281] the state legislature voted 91–52 for a study on transportation of crude oil through the state. The proposed study was vetoed by the state's governor[282] and the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) has no plans to review movements of crude oil through Maine.[283] Maine governor Paul Lepage has advocated federal review of all procedures affecting rail safety on both sides of the border.[284]
Maine's US representatives Michaud and Pingree proposed “The Safe Freight Act,” a federal bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains, and are demanding the older DOT-111 design be replaced by sturdier cars for dangerous goods shipments.[285][286]
The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has launched a full re-inspection of the 275 miles (443 km) of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway's track in Maine.[287] A committee of local mayors representing the Quebec municipalities along the line (Sutton, Magog, Sherbrooke, Farnham, Lac-Mégantic, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Cowansville) have called for a similar investigation by the government of Canada.[288] The FRA also established an "Emergency Order establishing additional requirements for attendance and securement of certain freight trains and vehicles on mainline track or mainline siding outside of a yard or terminal" on August 2, 2013.[289]
The Maine Department of Transportation is working to establish contingency plans for local industry which uses MMA's rail lines. The state has contacted every Maine freight rail operator, seeking a trustee who could keep the line running should MMA cease operations.[290][291]
Canadian federal impact[edit]
On July 7, PM Stephen Harper described the area as a "war zone" and claimed the federal Cabinet would have the proper authorities "conduct a very complete investigation and act on the recommendations".[292][293]The disaster has drawn criticisms of federal deregulation of the rail industry in Canada. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents inspectors at Transport Canada, has objected to a pattern of fewer inspections, deferred maintenance of rail lines already in poor condition and an increasing number of cars on each train, going as far as to label theGovernment of Canada as "complicit" in the disaster.[294] Leaders of two federal opposition parties, the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Bloc Québécois, have called for theParliament of Canada to examine rail safety in Canada with possible implementation of stricter regulation.[295][296] The Conservative Party of Canada has opposed a critical review ofTransport Canada's oversight of the railways,[297] Millions of dollars budgeted to Transport Canada for rail safety in fiscal years 2011–12 and 2012–13 remain unspent.[298]In Canada, federal regulation requires rail carriers carry adequate third-party liability insurance but does not legislate a specific dollar minimum in coverage.[299] The amount of coverage is not disclosed to the public nor to municipalities along the line. MMA was insured for $25 million in liability;[300] a second policy exists but only covers damage to MMA equipment and rolling stock.[301]The federal government had been subject to intense lobbying by the Railway Association of Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway prior to the disaster, with railway association lobbyists meeting with multiple federal officials “to inform about the movement of dangerous goods, including voluntary and regulatory requirements, volumes, customers and safety measures to assure them that current regulations for dangerous goods transportation are sufficient.”[302] A similar situation exists in the US, with nearly $47 million/year in lobbying to delay safety measures such as positive train control.[303]The Environmental Petitions[304] process of the federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is one avenue for citizen redress, whereby the Minister is required to answer within 120 days.[304]In December 2011, the Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development, a branch of the Auditor General of Canada, recommended[305] to address weaknesses in the oversight of the transportation of dangerous goods. Deficiencies identified by the AGC in 2011 included:[305]- There is a lack of follow-up by Transport Canada on identified deficiencies
- Transport Canada does not know the extent to which organizations transporting dangerous goods are complying with regulations
- Transport Canada does not conduct an adequate, timely review when approving emergency response assistance plans
- Management has not acted on long-standing concerns regarding inspection and emergency plan review practices
At the time of the release of the AGC report, Transport Canada agreed to review its procedures and enhance all of its practices by April 2013.[306]Marie France Dagenais, Director-General of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods division of Transport Canada,[307] prioritizes her job as follows: "naturally we do it in cooperation with the industry and also representatives with the U.S. government because we want uniform standards in Canada and the United States” and thus explains the five-year delay to develop standards in her department.[308] Meanwhile, some representatives with the U.S. government were participating in drug use and sexual activity with employees from the very energy firms they were to be regulating.[309]However, it would appear that many of the issues raised by the audit are not new. “An internal audit identified these same concerns over five years ago. The department has yet to correct some of the key weaknesses in its regulatory oversight practices,” stated former environment commissioner Scott Vaughan in July 2013.[308]On August 22, 2013, a committee of the Senate of Canada reported its findings.[310] The Energy, Environment and Natural Resources (ENEV) committee[311] decided in November 2012 to report on energy safety issues and had input from more than 50 individuals or groups as it crossed Canada. The Chair of the committee, Sen. Richard Neufeld, said that the entire committee was supportive of minimum insurance coverage: “If they can’t afford their liability coverage, maybe they shouldn’t be in the business.”[312] The committee noted that "pipeline companies are subject to a minimum of $1 billion available in bonds, lines of credit, third-party guarantees and liability insurance.",[312] and that in 2012 alone there were 118 railway accidents involving dangerous goods.[312] The 13 recommendations of the committee include:[313]- The federal government should launch an arm's-length review of the railway regulatory framework, standards and industry practices.
- Transport Canada should apply appropriate minimum liability coverage thresholds to ensure rail companies have the financial capacity to cover damages caused by a major incident.
- The National Energy Board and Transport Canada should create a web portal that includes interactive maps indicating detailed information on spills and incidents for pipelines, tankers and railcars. It should include the types of product released and the cause of the incident.
Stricter safety requirements, including two-person crews and additional requirements for hand brakes, were announced in October 2014.[314] In February 2015, the federal Minister of Transport announced a two-year phase-in of stricter liability for rail carriers, in which a Class I railway handling hazardous material could be required to carry a billion dollars in liability insurance.[315]
On July 7, PM Stephen Harper described the area as a "war zone" and claimed the federal Cabinet would have the proper authorities "conduct a very complete investigation and act on the recommendations".[292][293]
The disaster has drawn criticisms of federal deregulation of the rail industry in Canada. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents inspectors at Transport Canada, has objected to a pattern of fewer inspections, deferred maintenance of rail lines already in poor condition and an increasing number of cars on each train, going as far as to label theGovernment of Canada as "complicit" in the disaster.[294] Leaders of two federal opposition parties, the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Bloc Québécois, have called for theParliament of Canada to examine rail safety in Canada with possible implementation of stricter regulation.[295][296] The Conservative Party of Canada has opposed a critical review ofTransport Canada's oversight of the railways,[297] Millions of dollars budgeted to Transport Canada for rail safety in fiscal years 2011–12 and 2012–13 remain unspent.[298]
In Canada, federal regulation requires rail carriers carry adequate third-party liability insurance but does not legislate a specific dollar minimum in coverage.[299] The amount of coverage is not disclosed to the public nor to municipalities along the line. MMA was insured for $25 million in liability;[300] a second policy exists but only covers damage to MMA equipment and rolling stock.[301]
The federal government had been subject to intense lobbying by the Railway Association of Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway prior to the disaster, with railway association lobbyists meeting with multiple federal officials “to inform about the movement of dangerous goods, including voluntary and regulatory requirements, volumes, customers and safety measures to assure them that current regulations for dangerous goods transportation are sufficient.”[302] A similar situation exists in the US, with nearly $47 million/year in lobbying to delay safety measures such as positive train control.[303]
The Environmental Petitions[304] process of the federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is one avenue for citizen redress, whereby the Minister is required to answer within 120 days.[304]
In December 2011, the Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development, a branch of the Auditor General of Canada, recommended[305] to address weaknesses in the oversight of the transportation of dangerous goods. Deficiencies identified by the AGC in 2011 included:[305]
- There is a lack of follow-up by Transport Canada on identified deficiencies
- Transport Canada does not know the extent to which organizations transporting dangerous goods are complying with regulations
- Transport Canada does not conduct an adequate, timely review when approving emergency response assistance plans
- Management has not acted on long-standing concerns regarding inspection and emergency plan review practices
At the time of the release of the AGC report, Transport Canada agreed to review its procedures and enhance all of its practices by April 2013.[306]
Marie France Dagenais, Director-General of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods division of Transport Canada,[307] prioritizes her job as follows: "naturally we do it in cooperation with the industry and also representatives with the U.S. government because we want uniform standards in Canada and the United States” and thus explains the five-year delay to develop standards in her department.[308] Meanwhile, some representatives with the U.S. government were participating in drug use and sexual activity with employees from the very energy firms they were to be regulating.[309]
However, it would appear that many of the issues raised by the audit are not new. “An internal audit identified these same concerns over five years ago. The department has yet to correct some of the key weaknesses in its regulatory oversight practices,” stated former environment commissioner Scott Vaughan in July 2013.[308]
On August 22, 2013, a committee of the Senate of Canada reported its findings.[310] The Energy, Environment and Natural Resources (ENEV) committee[311] decided in November 2012 to report on energy safety issues and had input from more than 50 individuals or groups as it crossed Canada. The Chair of the committee, Sen. Richard Neufeld, said that the entire committee was supportive of minimum insurance coverage: “If they can’t afford their liability coverage, maybe they shouldn’t be in the business.”[312] The committee noted that "pipeline companies are subject to a minimum of $1 billion available in bonds, lines of credit, third-party guarantees and liability insurance.",[312] and that in 2012 alone there were 118 railway accidents involving dangerous goods.[312] The 13 recommendations of the committee include:[313]
- The federal government should launch an arm's-length review of the railway regulatory framework, standards and industry practices.
- Transport Canada should apply appropriate minimum liability coverage thresholds to ensure rail companies have the financial capacity to cover damages caused by a major incident.
- The National Energy Board and Transport Canada should create a web portal that includes interactive maps indicating detailed information on spills and incidents for pipelines, tankers and railcars. It should include the types of product released and the cause of the incident.
Stricter safety requirements, including two-person crews and additional requirements for hand brakes, were announced in October 2014.[314] In February 2015, the federal Minister of Transport announced a two-year phase-in of stricter liability for rail carriers, in which a Class I railway handling hazardous material could be required to carry a billion dollars in liability insurance.[315]
Litigation[edit]
In Canada, a class action lawsuit has been filed by Daniel Larochelle (a Lac-Mégantic attorney whose office was destroyed by the derailment and fire) and a group of Canadian and US law firms on behalf of Musi-Café proprietor Yannick Gagné and one of the widowers from the disaster, Guy Ouellet.[316] Afterwards, two more petitioners were added to the suit, Serges Jacques and Louis-Serge Parent.[317] The suit names a long list of rail and oil companies, including Western Petroleum Company and Irving Oil:[318][319]- MMA
- Western Petroleum Company (lessee)
- Irving Oil
- Canadian Pacific Railway
- Union Tank Car Company
- Trinity Industries
- GE Capital Rail Services (lessors)
It alleges Canadian Pacific Railway "entrusted the transport of highly explosive shale liquids to a carrier with one of the poorest safety records in the industry which was operating on poorly maintained 'excepted track' that did not permit the transport of flammable or dangerous goods" and claims CP knew that MMA was insolvent and underinsured. It also targets Union Tank Car Company, Trinity Industries and GE Capital Rail Services, claiming "non-reinforced older model DOT-111 tankers were wholly unsuitable for the transport of these highly explosive shale liquids".[320] The lawsuit states that the transportation of flammable and dangerous goods is limited to 10 km/hour.[319] Canadian courts can award plaintiffs a maximum of $326,000 as compensation for non-economic damages like emotional distress.[321]In the US, multiple individual lawsuits have been filed in Rail World's home jurisdiction of Cook County, Illinois on behalf of various groups of next of kin.[322] One such lawsuit filed in Cook County by Lac-Mégantic lawyer Gloriane Blais with two US lawyers (Edward Jazlowiecki in Connecticut and Mitchell Toups in Texas) lists eleven defendants, mostly North Dakota oil companies directly responsible for the train and its contents.[321] Jazlowiecki stated that Illinois has no limit on compensation for non-economic damage like emotional distress, and that he foresaw the verdict in 24 to 36 months.[321] Another lawsuit filed in Chicago, Illinois on behalf of ten victims is asking for over $50 million in damages.[321]Tafisa Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway and Western Petroleum Company have also announced intent to seek damages.[323]In mid-July, Burkhardt indicated “Whether we can survive is a complex question. We’re trying to analyze that right now.”[324] On August 7, hours after Quebec health minister Réjean Hébertstated that the province may sue to recover costs of its aid to victims,[325] MMA filed for bankruptcy protection under US Chapter 11 and Canada's Companies Creditors Arrangement Act.[326] As many of the suits name multiple defendants, typically oil companies including World Fuel Services, the cases continued to progress despite MMA's bankruptcy filings.[321]A $200 million legal settlement was proposed in January 2015, but remains subject to government approval in both nations.[327]
In Canada, a class action lawsuit has been filed by Daniel Larochelle (a Lac-Mégantic attorney whose office was destroyed by the derailment and fire) and a group of Canadian and US law firms on behalf of Musi-Café proprietor Yannick Gagné and one of the widowers from the disaster, Guy Ouellet.[316] Afterwards, two more petitioners were added to the suit, Serges Jacques and Louis-Serge Parent.[317] The suit names a long list of rail and oil companies, including Western Petroleum Company and Irving Oil:[318][319]
- MMA
- Western Petroleum Company (lessee)
- Irving Oil
- Canadian Pacific Railway
- Union Tank Car Company
- Trinity Industries
- GE Capital Rail Services (lessors)
It alleges Canadian Pacific Railway "entrusted the transport of highly explosive shale liquids to a carrier with one of the poorest safety records in the industry which was operating on poorly maintained 'excepted track' that did not permit the transport of flammable or dangerous goods" and claims CP knew that MMA was insolvent and underinsured. It also targets Union Tank Car Company, Trinity Industries and GE Capital Rail Services, claiming "non-reinforced older model DOT-111 tankers were wholly unsuitable for the transport of these highly explosive shale liquids".[320] The lawsuit states that the transportation of flammable and dangerous goods is limited to 10 km/hour.[319] Canadian courts can award plaintiffs a maximum of $326,000 as compensation for non-economic damages like emotional distress.[321]
In the US, multiple individual lawsuits have been filed in Rail World's home jurisdiction of Cook County, Illinois on behalf of various groups of next of kin.[322] One such lawsuit filed in Cook County by Lac-Mégantic lawyer Gloriane Blais with two US lawyers (Edward Jazlowiecki in Connecticut and Mitchell Toups in Texas) lists eleven defendants, mostly North Dakota oil companies directly responsible for the train and its contents.[321] Jazlowiecki stated that Illinois has no limit on compensation for non-economic damage like emotional distress, and that he foresaw the verdict in 24 to 36 months.[321] Another lawsuit filed in Chicago, Illinois on behalf of ten victims is asking for over $50 million in damages.[321]
Tafisa Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway and Western Petroleum Company have also announced intent to seek damages.[323]
In mid-July, Burkhardt indicated “Whether we can survive is a complex question. We’re trying to analyze that right now.”[324] On August 7, hours after Quebec health minister Réjean Hébertstated that the province may sue to recover costs of its aid to victims,[325] MMA filed for bankruptcy protection under US Chapter 11 and Canada's Companies Creditors Arrangement Act.[326] As many of the suits name multiple defendants, typically oil companies including World Fuel Services, the cases continued to progress despite MMA's bankruptcy filings.[321]
A $200 million legal settlement was proposed in January 2015, but remains subject to government approval in both nations.[327]
Regulatory impact[edit]
On July 23, 2013, Transport Canada issued an emergency directive[328] requiring at least two persons operate trains carrying tank cars of dangerous materials, prohibiting dangerous material trains left on the mainline unattended, requiring locomotive cabs on unattended trains be locked and reverser handles removed to prevent the train being put into gear, imposing requirements for setting hand brakes on trains unattended for more than an hour and requiring both the automatic brake (train brake) and independent brake (locomotive brake) be applied at their maximum force for trains unattended for an hour or less.[329] A ministerial emergency directive remains in effect for six months, although it can be renewed.[330]The United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a number of emergency orders on August 2, 2013, to all railroad operating companies in the country. The orders include a requirement for railroad companies to develop and submit to the FRA a plan to notify the agency when trains carrying hazardous materials will be left unattended as well as processes to secure the trains in their positions and to ensure that the locomotive doors are locked.[331] Before leaving a train unattended, railroad crews will need to notify dispatchers of the number of hand brakes that are being applied on the train along with the number of cars, the train length, the grade of the track on which the train is parked and the current weather conditions.[331]The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating multiple safety issues with crude oil shipments, which are the fastest-growing hazardous material shipments by rail. On July 29, the FRA requested American Petroleum Institute members provide data on content of their crude shipments and crude oil loading practices and proposed to do its own testing if the data were not made available.[332] The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration launched a 'Bakken blitz' of inspections of North Dakota oil trains in August 2013, citing ongoing concerns about improper identification of the chemical composition and flash point of flammable cargo.[333]According to the FRA, chemical composition of the oil is not being properly identified on shipping manifests, despite the use of corrosive or volatile chemicals in the fracking process. Content of blended crude from multiple wells is not tested before loading, even though FRA indicates that “it is critical that shippers determine the proper classification of the crude oil” as a tanker with a higher safety classification (and not the standard DOT-111A car) is required for corrosive or explosive materials. The information is needed for provision to first responders and emergency services during a disaster.In an increasing number of incidents, chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (used to release crude from oil well rock formations) have corroded tanks, covers, valves and fittings. As unit trains of tanker cars do not pass over weigh-in-motion scales in classification yards, many are overloaded, increasing risks of leakage as oil expands with temperature. The result has been twice the number of leaks from crude oil shipments as from alcohol shipments, the next highest hazardous material, even though comparable volumes of each travel by rail.[332]In January 2014, Canada's Transportation Safety Board recommended that DOT-111 / CTC-111A oil-by-rail cars built before October 2011 be replaced with the newer, reinforced design. It also recommended carriers perform route planning and analysis and advocated mandated emergency response plans. While TSB set no clear deadlines, Irving Oil plans to replace the remainder of its own fleet of DOT-111's by the end of April 2014 and ask its suppliers to modernise by the year's end.[334]In February 2014, the US Federal Railroad Administration placed crude oil under the most protective two sets of hazardous materials shipping requirements and issued an order requiring tests of crude oil before shipment by rail.[335]In April 2014, the Canadian government required a phaseout or retrofit of the older DOT-111 oil-by-rail cars on a three-year deadline and mandated emergency response plans for all oil shipments by rail.[336]
On July 23, 2013, Transport Canada issued an emergency directive[328] requiring at least two persons operate trains carrying tank cars of dangerous materials, prohibiting dangerous material trains left on the mainline unattended, requiring locomotive cabs on unattended trains be locked and reverser handles removed to prevent the train being put into gear, imposing requirements for setting hand brakes on trains unattended for more than an hour and requiring both the automatic brake (train brake) and independent brake (locomotive brake) be applied at their maximum force for trains unattended for an hour or less.[329] A ministerial emergency directive remains in effect for six months, although it can be renewed.[330]
The United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a number of emergency orders on August 2, 2013, to all railroad operating companies in the country. The orders include a requirement for railroad companies to develop and submit to the FRA a plan to notify the agency when trains carrying hazardous materials will be left unattended as well as processes to secure the trains in their positions and to ensure that the locomotive doors are locked.[331] Before leaving a train unattended, railroad crews will need to notify dispatchers of the number of hand brakes that are being applied on the train along with the number of cars, the train length, the grade of the track on which the train is parked and the current weather conditions.[331]
The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating multiple safety issues with crude oil shipments, which are the fastest-growing hazardous material shipments by rail. On July 29, the FRA requested American Petroleum Institute members provide data on content of their crude shipments and crude oil loading practices and proposed to do its own testing if the data were not made available.[332] The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration launched a 'Bakken blitz' of inspections of North Dakota oil trains in August 2013, citing ongoing concerns about improper identification of the chemical composition and flash point of flammable cargo.[333]
According to the FRA, chemical composition of the oil is not being properly identified on shipping manifests, despite the use of corrosive or volatile chemicals in the fracking process. Content of blended crude from multiple wells is not tested before loading, even though FRA indicates that “it is critical that shippers determine the proper classification of the crude oil” as a tanker with a higher safety classification (and not the standard DOT-111A car) is required for corrosive or explosive materials. The information is needed for provision to first responders and emergency services during a disaster.
In an increasing number of incidents, chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (used to release crude from oil well rock formations) have corroded tanks, covers, valves and fittings. As unit trains of tanker cars do not pass over weigh-in-motion scales in classification yards, many are overloaded, increasing risks of leakage as oil expands with temperature. The result has been twice the number of leaks from crude oil shipments as from alcohol shipments, the next highest hazardous material, even though comparable volumes of each travel by rail.[332]
In January 2014, Canada's Transportation Safety Board recommended that DOT-111 / CTC-111A oil-by-rail cars built before October 2011 be replaced with the newer, reinforced design. It also recommended carriers perform route planning and analysis and advocated mandated emergency response plans. While TSB set no clear deadlines, Irving Oil plans to replace the remainder of its own fleet of DOT-111's by the end of April 2014 and ask its suppliers to modernise by the year's end.[334]
In February 2014, the US Federal Railroad Administration placed crude oil under the most protective two sets of hazardous materials shipping requirements and issued an order requiring tests of crude oil before shipment by rail.[335]
In April 2014, the Canadian government required a phaseout or retrofit of the older DOT-111 oil-by-rail cars on a three-year deadline and mandated emergency response plans for all oil shipments by rail.[336]
Rebuilding efforts[edit]
While the people, the archives and the historic buildings which were lost will never be replaced, the town intends to rebuild.A new group of four 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) commercial buildings[215] were built to accommodate some displaced businesses[337] on a new site near the sports centre.[338][339] In August 2013, consultants began surveying the site of a new bridge across the Chaudière River from Papineau Street to Lévis Street,[340] to serve the new commercial district.[341] New rail track reconnected the local industrial park to the Montreal line in November 2013.[342] Private residences were expropriated to make way for redevelopment in Fatima.[343][344]Students at Laval University, Université de Montréal,[345] and Université de Sherbrooke[346] collected tens of thousands of books for a new library.[347] Libraries in other Quebec communities solicited book donations[348][349] and searched local archives for information on Mégantic's history. The new library, which had received 100,000 donated volumes (some of them duplicates) by September 2013,[350] opened on May 5, 2014,[351][352] as La Médiathèque municipale Nelly-Arcan in honour of an author born in the town.[353][354]A temporary "Musi-Café d'été"[355][356] hosted numerous Quebec musicians, including Marie-Mai, Louis-Jean Cormier, Karim Ouellet, Vincent Vallières, Michel Rivard, Dan Bigras, Richard Desjardins, Claude Dubois, Paul Piché and Fred Pellerin, in a series of free benefit concerts in a 150-seat tent from August 2 until mid-September 2013, raising money for local rebuilding efforts.[355][357] A new Musi-Café[358] opened in a $1.6 million building[359] at the foot of the new Papineau Street bridge[360] on December 15, 2014.[361]Métro opened its new Métro Plus Lac-Mégantic grocery store on October 15, 2014.[362] As of 2014 Dollarama has not yet returned; Subway has reopened in one of the new buildings on Papineau Street[363] and Jean Coutu is operating from reduced, temporary facilities until a new location can be built in Fatima.[364]Local demands to re-route the rails around the town also remain unaddressed, despite the risk that oil shipments could resume by the start of 2016.[365]
While the people, the archives and the historic buildings which were lost will never be replaced, the town intends to rebuild.
A new group of four 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) commercial buildings[215] were built to accommodate some displaced businesses[337] on a new site near the sports centre.[338][339] In August 2013, consultants began surveying the site of a new bridge across the Chaudière River from Papineau Street to Lévis Street,[340] to serve the new commercial district.[341] New rail track reconnected the local industrial park to the Montreal line in November 2013.[342] Private residences were expropriated to make way for redevelopment in Fatima.[343][344]
Students at Laval University, Université de Montréal,[345] and Université de Sherbrooke[346] collected tens of thousands of books for a new library.[347] Libraries in other Quebec communities solicited book donations[348][349] and searched local archives for information on Mégantic's history. The new library, which had received 100,000 donated volumes (some of them duplicates) by September 2013,[350] opened on May 5, 2014,[351][352] as La Médiathèque municipale Nelly-Arcan in honour of an author born in the town.[353][354]
A temporary "Musi-Café d'été"[355][356] hosted numerous Quebec musicians, including Marie-Mai, Louis-Jean Cormier, Karim Ouellet, Vincent Vallières, Michel Rivard, Dan Bigras, Richard Desjardins, Claude Dubois, Paul Piché and Fred Pellerin, in a series of free benefit concerts in a 150-seat tent from August 2 until mid-September 2013, raising money for local rebuilding efforts.[355][357] A new Musi-Café[358] opened in a $1.6 million building[359] at the foot of the new Papineau Street bridge[360] on December 15, 2014.[361]
Métro opened its new Métro Plus Lac-Mégantic grocery store on October 15, 2014.[362] As of 2014 Dollarama has not yet returned; Subway has reopened in one of the new buildings on Papineau Street[363] and Jean Coutu is operating from reduced, temporary facilities until a new location can be built in Fatima.[364]
Local demands to re-route the rails around the town also remain unaddressed, despite the risk that oil shipments could resume by the start of 2016.[365]
See also[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2013 Lac-Mégantic derailment.
- Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion
- Dark territory
- Lists of rail accidents
- Similar rail accidents:
- Chester General rail crash, UK, 1972 — brakes failed on train transporting fuel, derailed and caught fire
- Nishapur train disaster, Iran, 2004 — train with highly flammable cargo derailed, explosion destroyed village
- Viareggio train derailment, Italy, 2009 — train transporting LPGderailed and exploded in an urban area
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2013 Lac-Mégantic derailment. |
- Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion
- Dark territory
- Lists of rail accidents
- Similar rail accidents:
- Chester General rail crash, UK, 1972 — brakes failed on train transporting fuel, derailed and caught fire
- Nishapur train disaster, Iran, 2004 — train with highly flammable cargo derailed, explosion destroyed village
- Viareggio train derailment, Italy, 2009 — train transporting LPGderailed and exploded in an urban area
Citations[edit]
^ Jump up to:a b c "Press Release: Derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec" (PDF). Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c "Explosions à Lac-Mégantic : un mort confirmé" (in French). Radio-Canada. La Presse Canadienne. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c Johnston, Robert. "RAIL SAFETY ADVISORY LETTER – 08/13: Securement of Unattended Locomotives". Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b Johnston, Robert. "RAIL SAFETY ADVISORY LETTER – 09/13: Securement of Equipment and Trains Left Unattended". Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
Jump up^ "Train company averages two crashes per year; As confirmed deaths reach 13 in the small Canadian town, investigators look into whether a fire an hour before the explosions may have played a role". Portland Press Herald. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Insight: How a train ran away and devastated a Canadian town". Reuters. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic: on confirme la mort d'une personne".106,9 Mauricie (in French). 98.5 FM. July 6, 2013. RetrievedJuly 6, 2013.
Jump up^ "Search resumes in Lac-Mégantic for 5 still missing". 2013-07-21. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
^ Jump up to:a b "Une dernière marche au centre-ville pour les résidents de Lac-Mégantic". Radio-Canada Estrie.
Jump up^ Richard Johnson (July 8, 2013). "Timeline of Key Events in Lac-Megantic, Quebec Train Disaster". National Post.
Jump up^ "10 of Canada's worst train accidents". Maclean's. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up^ "Canada train derailment: Death toll at 50; Lac-Megantic residents jeer rail CEO". Associated Press. July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up^ "One-man train crews are unsafe, says union negotiating with Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway". The Bangor Daily News.
Jump up^ Rémi Tremblay (2014-02-20). "Le pétrole "va" rouler à nouveau en ville!". Écho de Frontenac. Retrieved2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "Rail chief discusses impact of GNP: Paper mill's problems forced layoffs, wage cuts by MM&A". Bangor Daily News. 2003-03-14. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic: Railway's history of cost-cutting". Toronto Star. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
Jump up^ In Le futur propriétaire de MMA veut maintenir un lien de confiance, Rémi Tremblay, L'Echo de Frontenac (March 20, 2014), the subsequent owner of the Central Maine and Quebec Railway estimates at $10-20 million dollars the investment required (over three years) to repair the damaged track.
Jump up^ "Rail Safety Rules - Subpart D - Track Structure". Transport Canada. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
Jump up^ Les Perreaux (2013-07-27). "Journey to the end of the MM&A Railway line". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved2013-08-01.
Jump up^ Kim Mackrael (2013-08-05). "MM&A issued warnings to operators to slow down due to track conditions". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la sécurité du type de wagons déjà mise en cause" (in French). Radio-Canada. July 8, 2013. RetrievedJuly 8, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Lac-Mégantic: What we know, what we don't know".The Gazette. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ "Train blast death toll rises". Stuff.co.nz. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c d "The equation of a disaster: what went wrong in Lac-Mégantic". The Globe & Mail. July 14, 2013. RetrievedJuly 14, 2013.
Jump up^ David Shaffer (July 9, 2013). "Blast in Quebec exposes risks of shipping crude oil by rail". Star-Tribune (Minneapolis-St Paul). Retrieved July 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Runaway train carrying Bakken crude to New Brunswick". Reuters. July 6, 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
Jump up^ "Canadian oil train was headed for Irving's Saint John refinery". Reuters. July 7, 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Les wagons de Lac-Mégantic provenaient du CP".Journal Les Affaires. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac Mégantic explosion: Train derailment a local risk due to old technology". Toronto Star. July 8, 2013. RetrievedJuly 8, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c "Lac-Mégantic probe docs note Irving Oil's growing rail use". CBC News. December 17, 2013.
Jump up^ "Safety rules lag as oil transport by train rises". CBC News. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
Jump up^ "Derailment of CN Freight Train U70691-18 With Subsequent Hazardous Materials Release and Fire" (PDF).National Transportation Safety Board. June 19, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Obama administration delays oil train safety rules". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
Jump up^ "Des wagons autorisés, mais non sécuritaires" (in French). La Presse. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ "In the wake of bankruptcy, keeping Maine’s rail network intact ‘strategically critical’". The Bangor Daily News.
Jump up^ "Owner of MMA railway says ‘Maine is not a growth state’". The Bangor Daily News.
Jump up^ "One-man train crews are unsafe, says union negotiating with Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway". The Bangor Daily News.
Jump up^ Sambides, Nick (2010-05-28). "MMA Railway using remote control — Penobscot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved2013-08-06.
Jump up^ "Union Defends Quebec Train Engineer's Safety Record". Wall Street Journal. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic became an episode of Breaking Bad". Toronto Star. 2013-07-13. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Lac-Mégantic runaway train and derailment investigation summary". Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g "Lac-Mégantic derailment: Anatomy of a disaster". The Globe and Mail. 2014-08-19.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g "Lac-Mégantic report: 18 things that went wrong". The Globe and Mail. 2014-08-19.
Jump up^ "Québec : l'explosion du train a ravagé Lac-Mégantic" (in French). RTL. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ CBC (2013-07-07). "Leaking oil from Lac-Mégantic disaster affects nearby towns; Critics ask why trains are carrying oil through populated areas". CBC. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
^ Jump up to:a b c "Lac Mégantic: Quebec train explosion site still too hot to search for missing". Toronto Star. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ Fred W. Frailey (2013-07-13). "The wages of Lac Megantic". Trains Magazine Online. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
^ Jump up to:a b "Lac Mégantic 'may well be the most devastating rail accident in Canadian history'". National Post. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
Jump up^ "MM&A regularly left loaded trains unsupervised, using siding track for storage". The Globe and Mail. July 24, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
Jump up^ "Selon le Bureau de sécurité des Transports, la MMA a été prévenue à temps". Le Devoir. July 9, 2013. RetrievedJuly 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Transports Canada fait le point: laisser un train seul sur une voie principale est inhabituel". Le Devoir. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic train explosion: a regulatory failure?".Toronto Star.
Jump up^ Étienne, Anne-Lovely and Bélisle, Sarah (8 July 2013)."Explosion Lac-Mégantic: Employé de la MMA Lac-Mégantic: conducteur muet,". le Journal de Montréal. Retrieved 9 July2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la compagnie évoque le système de freinage à air". Radio Canada (in French). July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c "Lac-Mégantic unsealed documents say train engineer didn’t follow MM&A rules". CBC Montreal. Retrieved2014-06-16.
Jump up^ Muise, Monique (2013-07-09). "Lac-Mégantic: What causes a runaway train?". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved2013-07-09.
Jump up^ "Quebec crash puts hand brakes on rail cars under scrutiny". The Globe and Mail. July 10, 2013. RetrievedJuly 11, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic investigators seek urgent rail safety review". CBC Montreal. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
Jump up^ "MMA et la règle 112 : des infractions à répétition, aucune sanction". Radio-Canada. 2014-02-12. Retrieved2014-04-23.
^ Jump up to:a b "Safety advisory letter to Transport Canada on the securement of unattended locomotives, 19 July 2013".Transportation Safety Board. July 19, 2013. RetrievedJuly 19, 2013.
Jump up^ Cheadle, Bruce (2010-04-16). "No rules against leaving unattended trains on main tracks: Transport Canada". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic explosion: Engineer Tom Harding 'beside himself' after disaster". Toronto Star. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
^ Jump up to:a b "Lac Mégantic fire: timeline". The Gazette. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic: le conducteur du train reste muet".Journal de Montréal. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : le conducteur n'aurait pas respecté les règles de la MMA". Radio-Canada. 2014-05-13. Retrieved2014-06-16.
^ Jump up to:a b "Des étincelles avant l'explosion". CHMP-FM 98,5 Montreal. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up^ "Broken piston led to train's crash into Canadian town, probe finds". UPI.com. 13 September 2013. Retrieved14 September 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la lumière se fait lentement". Le Devoir. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ Christine Muschi (July 8, 2013). "Lac Megantic explosion: Fire was doused on train and engine shut down before it smashed into Quebec town". Toronto Star. Reuters. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ Adam Kovac, Montreal Gazette (July 8, 2013). "Nantes fire chief confirms late-night fire before explosion". Postmedia. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ Côté, Charles. "Cause du désastre: le président de MMA contredit catégoriquement" [MMA President Utterly Contradicted on Disaster's Causes]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ "Que s'est-il passé avant le déraillement à Lac-Mégantic?" (in French). Radio-Canada. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ Reuters (8 July 2013). "Lac Megantic explosion: Fire was doused on train and engine shut down before it smashed into Quebec town: Witness describes train moving shortly after fire crew left and shut off an engine". Toronto Star. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
Jump up^ "Canada train blast: At least one dead in Lac-Megantic". BBC. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ "Maine fire crews assist in Quebec train explosion".WLBZ. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ DiManno, Rosie (July 10, 2013). "Lac Megantic explosion: Controversies and contradictions amid the despair; Focus shifts to other locomotives in deadly derailment". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Police launch 'unprecedented criminal investigation' into Lac-Mégantic train disaster". National Post. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac Mégantic 'may well be the most devastating rail accident in Canadian history'". National Post. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
^ Jump up to:a b "Explosions et incendie à Lac-Mégantic : un mort" (in French). Yahoo! Actualités Québec. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
^ Jump up to:a b "1 dead after Quebec train blasts". CBC. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "One dead as train explodes in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec forcing residents to flee". Toronto Star. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ Robillard, Alexandre, "L'incendie à Lac-Mégantic a fait au moins un mort", La Presse Canadienne viajournalmetro.com, 7 juillet 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic's resilience tested after 'le train d'enfer'". The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME Kjonline.com. 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
Jump up^ montreal.radiox.com.
Jump up^ "Train Derailment and Fire, Lac Mégantic, Quebec : Natural Hazards". NASA Earth Observatory. 2013-07-04. Retrieved2013-07-09.
^ Jump up to:a b c "1 confirmed dead after unmanned train derails, explodes in Lac-Megantic". CTV News. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ "Runaway train carrying crude oil explodes near Maine border; Quebec town center in ruins, at least 1 dead".Bangor Daily News. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ "Cook at Lac-Mégantic café escaped death twice". CBC News. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic: Hospital eerily quiet after Quebec explosion". Toronto Star. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8,2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "At least one person dead in Lac Mégantic train derailment, explosion". The Gazette. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
Jump up^ "The silent train engineer at the centre of the storm". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up^ Les Whittington; Liam Casey GTA; Jessica McDiarmid; Bruce Campion-Smith (2013-07-09). "Lac Megantic explosion: Ottawa approved having only one engineer on ill-fated train". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
Jump up^ "Le conducteur Harding aurait permis d'éloigner des wagons du brasier". Le Devoir. July 13, 2013. RetrievedJuly 13, 2013.
Jump up^ Andy Blatchford (2013-07-15). "The frantic moment when the train driver in Lac-Megantic raced to the scene". Windsor Star. Canadian Press. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Jump up^ CHRISTIANE DESJARDINS, DAVID SANTERRE et Gabrielle Duchaine. "Plusieurs travailleurs ont risqué leur vie sur la ligne de feu" (in French). La Presse. Retrieved2013-07-19.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic, Que. train crash: Death toll climbs to five". National Post. 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
^ Jump up to:a b c "Death toll rises to 5 after Lac-Mégantic train blasts". CBC. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic train blast: PM Harper visits 'war zone'". BBC. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic (map with police red zone)". Google Maps. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
Jump up^ "Le parc de la Croix, une vue sur la ville" (in French). TVA Sherbrooke. 2013-07-13. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
Jump up^ Justin Giovannetti, Grant Robertson And Jacquie Mcnish (2013-07-11). "As Lac-Mégantic death toll reaches 47, safety board calls for immediate rail-safety changes". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic victim identified as 4-year-old girl". CBC Montreal. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : une 40e victime identifiée". Radio-Canada. 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic's tragedy is a most unnatural disaster: DiManno". Toronto Star. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8,2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la SQ met fin à ses recherches" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
Jump up^ "Quebec coroner page." Quebec Coroner page. July 16, 2013.
Jump up^ "Could be years before missing 40 are identified". The Gazette. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ Philippe Teisceira-Lessard (2013-07-13). "Des milliers de testaments détruits à Lac-Mégantic". La Presse (Montréal). Retrieved 2013-07-18.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : des milliers d'actes notariés ont été sauvés". Radio-Canada. 2013-07-19. Retrieved2013-07-19.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la relocalisation des commerces se fait pressante" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
Jump up^ List of displaced businesses currently open, l'Echo de Frontenac (local newspaper, en français)
Jump up^ "Quebec police say 5 dead from oil train derailment, 40 missing". Ottawa Citizen. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7,2013.
Jump up^ "La mairesse discutera avec la compagnie propriétaire du train" (in French). La Presse. July 8, 2013. RetrievedJuly 8, 2013.
Jump up^ "Popular bar, Musi-Café, reopens after being destroyed in explosion". CBC News. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
Jump up^ Montgomery, Sue (2013-08-15). "Lac-Mégantic's Colette Roy-Laroche is more mère than mayor". The Gazette. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
Jump up^ "Crise des entreprises de Lac-Mégantic – Employeurs (list of relocated businesses)" (in French). Cellule économique Mégantic. July 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-01.[dead link]
Jump up^ Marie-Michèle Sioui. "Les commerçants de Lac-Mégantic s'inquiètent" (in French). La Presse (Montréal). Retrieved2013-08-11.
Jump up^ Camille Dauphinais-Pelletier (2013-08-09). "L'activité commerciale de Lac-Mégantic sera relocalisée" (in French). La Tribune (Sherbrooke). Retrieved 2013-08-11.
Jump up^ Isabelle Ducas (2013-08-19). "Lac-Mégantic: des années de travail pour les avocats". La Presse. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
Jump up^ Bureau du coroner Québec
Jump up^ Quebec (July 1, 2013). "Regulation respecting the flag of Québec, RSQ, chap. D-12.1, r. 2, section 10". Publications du Québec. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic fire extinguished; evacuees being allowed home". CTV News. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ "État d'urgence et retour à la maison à Lac-Mégantic" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
Jump up^ "La mairesse de Lac-Mégantic " très touchée " par la vague de témoignages" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
Jump up^ Jérôme Gaudreau (2013-07-09). "Lac-Mégantic: série de vols dans les domiciles abandonnés" (in French). La Tribune (Sherbrooke). Retrieved 2013-07-09.
Jump up^ Jérôme Gaudreau (2013-07-11). "Lac-Mégantic: série de vols dans les maisons désertées" (in French). La Presse. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
Jump up^ "Page d'information : sinistrés de Lac-Mégantic" (in French). RCMP (Facebook). Retrieved 2013-07-12.
Jump up^ David Willis. "Lac-Megantic disaster: Engineer blamed for Canada blast, 10 July 2013". BBC News. Retrieved2013-07-14.
Jump up^ "1.01 Accident/Incident Overview". Federal Railroad Administration: Office of Safety Analysis. Retrieved 11 July2013.
Jump up^ Karl Plume, P.J. Huffstutter And Ernest Scheyder (2013-07-21). "Lac-Mégantic train disaster a dark turn for rail veteran". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic explosion: MMA railway boss Ed Burkhardt: 'I'm devastated'". The Toronto Star. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ "Train engineer in Lac-Mégantic derailment is 'very down'". CBC News. 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
Jump up^ Hugo Pilon-Larose (2013-07-19). "Les employés de la MMA sommés de se taire" (in French). La Presse. Retrieved2013-07-20.
Jump up^ "Website launched to support Lac-Mégantic train engineer". CBC Montreal. 2013-10-10. Retrieved2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic: Website launched to help rail engineer pay legal fees". Toronto Star. 2013-10-09. Retrieved2013-12-29.
Jump up^ Muise, Monique (2013-07-25). "Lac-Mégantic investigation: SQ raids MMA offices in Farnham". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
Jump up^ "Transports Canada et la GRC dans les bureaux de la MMA" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-01. Retrieved2013-08-01.
Jump up^ "Raymond Lafontaine vowing to make sure crude never passes through Lac-Mégantic again". National Post. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
Jump up^ "Survivors of Lac-Megantic explosion devastated, enraged". Toronto Star. 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
Jump up^ "Dernière Heure (interview with entrepreneur Raymond Lafontaine)" (VIDEO) (in French). RDI (Radio-Canada). 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
Jump up^ Luc Larochelle (2013-07-07). "Plus jamais!". La Tribune (Sherbrooke). Retrieved 2013-07-10.
Jump up^ "Path to disaster: How Lac-Mégantic's relationship with rail has long been fraying". The Globe and Mail. 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
Jump up^ "La mairesse lance un appel aux touristes" (in French). La Tribune (Sherbrooke). 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
Jump up^ "Le grand patron de MMA en visite à Lac-Mégantic" (in French). Radio-Canada. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10,2013.
Jump up^ "CN and CP tighten safety rules after Lac-Mégantic disaster". CBC News. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
^ Jump up to:a b "Fini le pétrole dans les trains de la MMA" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
Jump up^ "Lac Mégantic rail disaster company MM&A files for bankruptcy". CBC News. 2013-08-07. Retrieved2013-08-07.
Jump up^ "Maine-based railway involved in Quebec crash that killed 47 files for bankruptcy". Bangor Daily News. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
Jump up^ Kim Mackrael (2013-08-07). "MM&A files for bankruptcy after Lac-Mégantic rail disaster". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
Jump up^ "Guide to Certificates of Fitness". Canadian Transportation Agency.
Jump up^ "Order No. 2013-R-266". Canadian Transportation Authority. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
Jump up^ "Railway in Lac-Mégantic tragedy has its Canadian licence suspended". The Globe and Mail.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic disaster railway can no longer operate in Canada". CBC News. August 13, 2013.
Jump up^ "Quebec rail crash firm gets reprieve". Guardian (UK). Reuters. 2013-08-17. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
Jump up^ "Montreal, Maine & Atlantic's Canadian operations extended again". CBC Montreal. 2013-09-26. Retrieved2013-12-29.
^ Jump up to:a b "Lac-Mégantic rail disaster company MM&A files for bankruptcy". CBC News. August 8, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Decision No. 561-R-2005". Canadian Transport Agency.
^ Jump up to:a b "Maine economy tied to rail line's fate". The Portland Press Herald.
Jump up^ "Maine railroad in crash shut out of Canada". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
^ Jump up to:a b "CP reluctantly agrees to lift embargo against MM&A".The Globe and Mail.
Jump up^ "Quebec seeks Lac-Mégantic cleanup cash from CP Railway". CBC Montreal. The Canadian Press. 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ CPR statement on CTA order to furnish tankers to MMA
^ Jump up to:a b c Marowits: "Transportation agency orders CP Rail to end embargo of cargo to MMA"
Jump up^ Toronto Sun: "Senate wants tougher rules for oil transport in wake of Lac-Megantic disaster" 22 Aug 2013
Jump up^ "U.S. railroad chief 'shocked' at Maine company's single-person train crews". Portland Press Herald. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Jump up^ Magder, Jason (2013-12-18). "Rail traffic resumes in Lac-Mégantic". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic disaster's MM&A sold to Florida Great Lakes Partners". CBC Montreal. 2014-01-21. Retrieved2014-04-23.
Jump up^ Richardson, Whit (2014-02-14). "New owner, new name: MMA to become the Central Maine and Quebec Railway". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
Jump up^ The Canadian Press (July 8, 2013). "Queen expresses profound sadness over Lac Megantic disaster". Global News. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ Office of the Governor General of Canada (July 8, 2013)."Message from the Governor General Following the Tragedy in Lac-Mégantic". Queen's Printer for Canada. RetrievedJuly 9, 2013.
Jump up^ Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (July 6, 2013). "Message from the Honourable Pierre Duchesne, Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec". Éditeur officiel du Québec. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
Jump up^ Office of the Governor General of Canada (July 9, 2013)."Message from Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
Jump up^ "Timeline of a tragedy: How events unfolded in Lac Mégantic". Calgary Herald. 2013-07-18. Retrieved2013-07-26.
Jump up^ "Video: Harper offers condolences to train crash victims". The Globe and Mail. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
Jump up^ CA (2013-07-19). "Barack Obama compatit avec Lac-Mégantic" (in French). L'Écho de Maskinongé. Retrieved2013-07-20.
Jump up^ "Obama offers U.S. help over Lac-Megantic disaster". Globalnews.ca. 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
Jump up^ French Republic (7 July 2013). "Catastrophe de Lac-Mégantic". Elysee Palace (Press release) (in French). Retrieved 11 July 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Megantic explosion: Speed, tankers cited as possible factors". National Post. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
Jump up^ Richard Deschamps (2013-07-11). "Maine legislature passes resolution in support of Lac-Mégantic". CJAD (AM) 800 Montreal. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Jump up^ Agence QMI (July 11, 2013). "Les élus du Maine votent une résolution". Le Journal de Montréal. Retrieved July 15,2013.
Jump up^ "Train explosion in Lac-Mégantic: Greenpeace shows solidarity with victims" (PDF) (Press release). Greenpeace. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ "Transportation Safety Board – Railway investigation R13D0054 (Lac-Mégantic)". Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic investigators seek urgent rail safety review". CBC Montreal. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
Jump up^ August 30, 2013 11:38 am (2013-08-30). "Another MMA train accident waiting to happen". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Convoi sans surveillance". Echo de Frontenac (Lac-Mégantic). Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Insufficent brake force applied before oil-filled train slammed into Lac Mégantic: report". National Post. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic explosion: Standards vary for number of hand brakes required in Canada". Toronto Star. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f "Probe of Lac-Mégantic train disaster turns to composition of oil". The Globe & Mail. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "Fracking chemicals in spotlight as regulators investigate rail car corrosion and flammability of North Dakota crude". Financial Post. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
Jump up^ Holubnyak et al. "SPE 141434-MS". OnePetro.
Jump up^ Bloomberg News (August 13, 2013). "Fracking chemicals in spotlight as regulators investigate rail car corrosion and flammability of North Dakota crude". Financial Post.
Jump up^ Jim Efstathiou Jr. and Angela Greiling Keane (January 14, 2014). "North Dakota Oil Boom Seen Adding Costs for Rail Safety". Bloomberg.
Jump up^ "RAIL SAFETY ADVISORY LETTER – Securement of Equipment and Trains Left Unattended, 19 July 2013".Transportation Safety Board. July 19, 2013. RetrievedJuly 19, 2013.
Jump up^ "Why was Lac-Mégantic crude oil so flammable?: Authorities want closer look at cargo from train disaster". National Post. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic disaster oil more dangerous than stated". CBC Montreal. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "U.S. oil worries predated Lac-Mégantic disaster". CBC Montreal. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Data safety sheets on Lac-Mégantic cars contained contradictory material: TSB". The Gazette. Retrieved2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : l'étiquetage du pétrole et le rôle d'Irving mis en cause". Radio-Canada. 2013-09-11. Retrieved2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : tout aurait commencé par un piston défectueux" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-09-14. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
^ Jump up to:a b "Sections of MM&A's rails are substandard, says Transport Canada report". CBC Montreal. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Transports Canada ferme un tronçon de la MMA au Québec" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
Jump up^ "Transports Canada ferme un tronçon de la MMA au Québec" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Jump up^ Philippe Teisceira-Lessard (2013-10-14). "L'Orford Express n'ira pas à Lac-Mégantic" (in French). La Presse. Retrieved2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic, un 19e facteur en cause?". Radio-Canada.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f "Lac-Mégantic report: The five recommendations". The Globe and Mail. 2014-08-19.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : six nouvelles victimes identifiées". Radio-Canada.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic derailment investigators search railway's offices". CBC News. July 25, 2013.
Jump up^ Kovac and Sparks, in Montreal Gazette and Ottawa Citizen, 11 Aug 2013
Jump up^ "Train conductor, company face charges in connection with deadly Lac-Megantic derailment". CTV. 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "BBC News - Lac-Megantic train explosion: Three charged in Quebec". BBC News. 2014-05-13. Retrieved2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic unsealed documents say train engineer didn’t follow MM&A rules". CBC News. June 14, 2014.
Jump up^ Justice for USW Rail Workers (union website)
Jump up^ Muise, Monique (2014-05-26). "Union sets up defence fund for rail workers charged in Lac-Mégantic tragedy". The Gazette. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : polémique autour du passage en sol américain de la locomotive". Radio-Canada.
^ Jump up to:a b Ronald Martel (2013-08-21). "Le centre-ville fermé pour un an". La Tribune (Sherbrooke). Retrieved 2013-08-22.
Jump up^ "La décontamination de Lac-Mégantic prendra encore un an". Radio-Canada. 2014-01-29. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
Jump up^ Olivier Parent | Actualité économique (2013-07-15). "Lac-Mégantic: le service postal reprend son cours normal". Le Soleil (Québec). Retrieved 2013-07-18.
Jump up^ David Santerre (2013-07-17). "Tout le centre-ville de Lac-Mégantic est à refaire". La Presse (Montréal). Retrieved2013-07-18.
Jump up^ "5 more victims identified in Lac-Mégantic". CBC Montreal. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
Jump up^ Manon Bisson (2013-07-19). "Décontamination de la marina de Lac-Mégantic" (in French). CJIT-FM. Retrieved2013-07-19.
Jump up^ "Début des opérations de décontamination des embarcations" (in French). Ville Lac-Mégantic. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : pas de retour à la maison avant un an"(in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-06. Retrieved2013-08-06.
Jump up^ "Some evacuees in Lac-Megantic may never be able to return to their homes". Macleans. 2013-08-07. Retrieved2013-08-07.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic businesses plan exodus amid fears downtown can't be saved". The Globe and Mail. July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la stratégie de relocalisation des commerces dévoilée" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
Jump up^ Justin Giovannetti. "Plan to reshape Lac-Mégantic gathers momentum as town rebuilds". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
Jump up^ "Reconstruction de Lac-Mégantic : des travailleurs critiquent la gestion des travaux" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "Leaking oil from Lac-Mégantic disaster affects nearby towns". CBC. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
Jump up^ Stéphanie Martin (2013-07-09). "La Ville de Lévis sécurise l'alimentation en eau potable de 50 000 résidants". Le Soleil (Québec). Retrieved 2013-07-18.
Jump up^ "Chaudière River test results are encouraging". The Gazette. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
Jump up^ "Lévis needs clean water source before winter". CBC Montreal. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
Jump up^ Melanie Marquis (2013-07-11). "Study shows high pollution at Lac-Mégantic: one carcinogen 394,444 times above limit". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
Jump up^ David Santerre (2013-07-17). "Un arrêt de travail a paralysé le nettoyage du site". La Presse (Montréal). La Presse Canadienne. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
Jump up^ "Lac Megantic: Mayor says town stuck with $4 million in unpaid bills for cleanup". Toronto Star. July 24, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : la Ville a envoyé une deuxième mise en demeure à la MMA" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-30. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
Jump up^ Brian Mann (Jul 30, 2013). "Railway Exec speaks about Lac Magantic disaster". North Country Public Radio.
Jump up^ official French text of "Loi sur la qualité de l'environnement" RSQ Ch. Q-2
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : Québec ordonne à la MMA de remettre le site en état" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
Jump up^ "Quebec targets CP Railway for Lac-Mégantic cleanup costs". The Globe and Mail.
Jump up^ "Tragédie de Lac-Mégantic : World Fuel Services prend ses distances" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : World Fuel Services doute de la légalité de l'ordonnance de Québec" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-30. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
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^ Jump up to:a b "Canadian Pacific rejects order to pay for Lac-Mégantic cleanup". Globe and Mail.
Jump up^ "CP Rail refuses to pay for Lac-Mégantic cleanup". CBC Montreal. The Canadian Press. 2013-08-15. Retrieved2013-08-15.
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Jump up^ Canadian Press (August 15, 2013). "Quebec demands CP Rail help pay for multi-million dollar cleanup after tragic train disaster in Lac-Megantic". National Post.
Jump up^ Daniel Roy (2013-07-17). "La MMA fournit la preuve d'une assurance responsabilité". Radio-Canada. Retrieved2013-07-18.
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Jump up^ "Le Syndicat des Métallos accuse la MMA de voler ses employés" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
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Jump up^ "Manitoba town wants to know what rail cars are carrying". CBC News. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
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Jump up^ "Railways refuse to reveal toxic cargo". Winnipeg Free Press.
Jump up^ Joel Goldenberg (August 14, 2013). "CSL Now Knows What Is Transported Through CP Yards". The Suburban Newspaper.
Jump up^ "Farnham suspend temporairement les activités de MMA". Radio-Canada. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
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Jump up^ Mélanie Marquis (2013-07-26). "Burkhardt, le "visage le plus laid du capitalisme", selon Labeaume". La Presse (Montréal). Retrieved 2013-07-26.
Jump up^ Un conservateur du Musée de la civilisation dépêché à Lac-Mégantic at La Presse; by Baptiste Ricard-Châtelain; published August 8, 2013; retrieved August 11, 2013
Jump up^ "Des pancartes pour interpeller les conducteurs de train qui traversent Vaudreuil-Dorion" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
^ Jump up to:a b "La ville se mobilise pour sa jumelle du Québec" (in French). Le Parisien. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
Jump up^ "Jumelage" (in French). City Hall, Dourdan, France. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
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Jump up^ "Des livres pour relancer la collection de la bibliothèque de Lac-Mégantic" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
Jump up^ "Selectmen establish donation account for sister city Lac-Mégantic". Daily Bulldog. 2013-07-09. Retrieved2013-08-09.
Jump up^ "'Very humbling': Local officials visit Lac-Mégantic". Daily Bulldog. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
Jump up^ Richard P. Davis, town manager, Farmingham (July 2013)."Recovery Aid for Lac-Megantic, Quebec" (PDF). a message from the Town of Farmington to other municipalities in Maine. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
Jump up^ "Maine group visits devastated Lac-Megantic". WMTW. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
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Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic's patience wearing thin as Ottawa fails to announce any aid funding after deadly rail disaster". National Post. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
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Jump up^ "5 hot issues at the premiers' meeting". CBC News. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
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Jump up^ "Transport de matières dangereuses par train : les municipalités doivent savoir, dit Harel" (in French). Radio-Canada. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
Jump up^ "Quebec train wreck spotlights oil transportation debate on national stage". The Morning Sentinel, (Waterville, Maine). 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic train disaster shifting views in Maine". CBC News. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Jump up^ Sherwood, Dave (2013-07-09). "Maine has no plans to halt oil rail shipments after Quebec tragedy". Reuters. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
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Jump up^ "U.S. railroad chief 'shocked' at Maine company's single-person train crews". Portland Press Herald.
Jump up^ Sambides, Nick (2013-08-02). "Michaud, Pingree submit bill requiring 2-person crews on freight trains". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
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Jump up^ "Emergency Order Establishing Additional Requirements for Attendance and Securement of Certain Freight Trains and Vehicles on Mainline Track or Mainline Siding Outside of a Yard or Terminal". Federal Railroad Administration. 2 Aug 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
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Jump up^ "Devastated Lac-Megantic begins work week, with about 40 people still missing after train disaster (with video)". The Vancouver Sun. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
Jump up^ "Video: Harper offers condolences to train crash victims".The Globe and Mail. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
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Jump up^ "Train disaster triggers political debate on rail safety". CBC News. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Jump up^ "Political repercussions of deadly train crash grow amid calls to back off". 680News Toronto. 2013-07-11. Retrieved2013-07-15.
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Jump up^ Egan, Louise (2013-08-07). "Railway in deadly Quebec explosion files for bankruptcy". Reuters. Retrieved2013-08-08.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic rail disaster company MM&A files for bankruptcy". CBC News. 2013-08-07. Retrieved2013-08-08.
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^ Jump up to:a b "Environmental Petitions". Office of the Auditor General.
^ Jump up to:a b "Chapter 1—Transportation of Dangerous Products".Office of the Auditor General.
Jump up^ Minsky, Amy (2013-07-11). "AG refutes granting Transport Canada extensions on addressing safety weaknesses". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
Jump up^ 'linked-in' page of Dagenais
^ Jump up to:a b "Safety oversight plagued Transport Canada for years: audit". Postmedia.
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^ Jump up to:a b c Postmedia: "Senate committee proposes mandatory minimum..." 22 Aug 2013
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Jump up^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/proposed-rail-safety-laws-to-make-oil-carriers-responsible-for-accidents-1.2964879
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Jump up^ "Third Amended Motion for Authorization" (PDF).
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^ Jump up to:a b The Province: "Irving subsidiary considering acquisition of insolvent MM&A rail line" 19 Aug 2013
Jump up^ "Rochon Genova LLP | CP Rail, Union Tank, Trinity Industries, GE Railcar Services and Western Petroleum Implicated in the Lac-Mégantic Class Proceeding" (Press release). Newswire.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
^ Jump up to:a b c d e Sparks, Riley (2013-08-02). "Lac-Mégantic lawsuit targets 11 companies". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved2013-08-02.
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Jump up^ Text of "Emergency Directive Pursuant to Section 33 of the Railway Safety Act" 23 Jul 2013
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^ Jump up to:a b Morris, Betsey (August 2, 2013). "Runaway Train in Quebec Sparks New U.S. Rail-Safety Rules". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b "In wake of Lac Mégantic tragedy, U.S. Railroad Administration says crude being shipped in unsafe rail cars". National Post. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
Jump up^ "'Blitz' on to inspect oil-train contents". Portland Press Herald. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
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Jump up^ "Lisa Raitt to enhance rail safety measures in wake of Lac-Mégantic". CBC News. 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
Jump up^ Dougherty, Kevin (2013-09-06). "Lac-Mégantic gets funds to rebuild downtown core". The Gazette. Retrieved2013-09-12.
Jump up^ Kathryn Blaze Carlson. "How rebuilding plans will create a new vision of Lac-Mégantic". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
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Jump up^ Rémi Tremblay (2013-10-31). "Mystère autour d’une pancarte". Echo de Frontenac. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
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Jump up^ "Les trains pourraient commencer à rouler à Lac-Mégantic d'ici un mois". Radio-Canada. 2013-11-15. Retrieved2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic residents fear possible expropriation". CBC Montreal. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : des résidents disent faire les frais de la reconstruction". Radio-Canada. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Jump up^ David Rémillard (2013-08-17). "50 000 livres pour regarnir la biblio de Lac-Mégantic". Le Soleil (Québec). Retrieved2013-08-19.
Jump up^ "Des livres pour la future bibliothèque de Lac-Mégantic". 985fm.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
Jump up^ "Des milliers de livres pour Lac-Mégantic" (in French). L'Action (Joliette). 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
Jump up^ "Des partenaires pour la collecte de livres pour Lac-Mégantic" (in French). Journal L'Avantage (Rimouski – Mont-Joli – Matane). 2013-07-24. Retrieved2013-08-19.[dead link]
Jump up^ "À Matane : collecte de livres en solidarité envers Lac Mégantic" (in French). Journal L'Avantage (Rimouski – Mont-Joli – Matane). 2013-07-31. Retrieved2013-08-19.[dead link]
Jump up^ "Message de la Mediathèque Nelly-Arcan". Ville de Lac-Mégantic. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
Jump up^ "Ouverture de la Médiathèque". Médiathèque municipale Nelly Arcan – Ville Lac-Mégantic. 2013-10-05. Retrieved2014-04-23.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic library may reopen in 2014 thanks to donations". CBC Montreal. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Jump up^ "La Médiathèque municipale Nelly-Arcan prête pour l’automne" (in French). Écho de Frontenac, hebdo de la région de Lac-Mégantic. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
Jump up^ Ronald Martel (2013-08-12). "Place à la Médiathèque Nelly-Arcan" (in French). La Tribune (Sherbrooke). Retrieved2013-09-24.
^ Jump up to:a b Blatchford, Andy (2013-07-30). "Resilient Lac-Megantic bar razed in rail disaster set to reopen in battered town". Macleans. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
Jump up^ Alexandra Perron (2013-09-20). "Mégantic se relève: le contemporain au service de l'urgence" (in French). Le Soleil (Québec). Retrieved 2013-09-24.
Jump up^ "Le Musi-Café renaît : baume musical pour Lac-Mégantic". La Presse, July 31, 2013.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic va se relever!". Écho de Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "Musi-Café reopening in Lac-Mégantic a big boost to town’s recovery". CBC News. December 15, 2014.
Jump up^ "Musi-Café: le propriétaire fait une croix sur l'été". Radio-Canada. 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Jump up^ "Le nouveau Musi-Café ouvre ses portes à Lac-Mégantic". Radio-Canada.
Jump up^ "Video of Métro store's grand re-opening in Lac-Mégantic". Métro Inc.
Jump up^ "SUBWAY store locator". subway.com.
Jump up^ Alexandra Perron (2013-09-20). "Mégantic se relève: repenser la ville" (in French). Le Soleil (Québec). Retrieved2013-09-24.
Jump up^ "Lac-Mégantic : des choix déchirants à faire". Radio-Canada. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
Notes[edit]
- ^ Data is derived from a comparison of two reports—one for all railroads and one for the individual railroad. Data is for incidents occurring in the United States only.
- ^ Data is derived from a comparison of two reports—one for all railroads and one for the individual railroad. Data is for incidents occurring in the United States only.
External links[edit]
Lives lost: Remembering Lac-Mégantic’s victims, biographical sketches of those killed in the derailment, at the Montreal Gazette
Lac-Mégantic runaway train and derailment investigation (summary version of the TSB report)
Railway Investigation Report (long version of the TSB report)
Lac-Mégantic MMA Train Accident - 6 July 2013. Video from TSB Canada documenting findings from the TSB investigation of the Lac-Mégantic derailment.
Audio: Train engineer and railway company talk as Lac-Mégantic burns. Audio and text of conversations between the locomotive engineer and rail traffic controllers both before and after the derailment.
5 Keys to Understanding Lac Megantic disaster (in French, infographics)
BOOM: North America's Explosive Oil-by-Rail Problem Investigative report and documentary video by The Weather Channel and InsideClimate News[1]
[hide] Location and date - Badrashin, Egypt (15 January)
- Saltsjöbaden, Sweden (15 January)
- Alfarelos, Portugal (21 January)
- Brisbane, Australia (31 January)
- Fairfield, Connecticut, United States (17 May)
- Castelar, Argentina (13 June)
- Lac-Mégantic, Canada (6 July)
- Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (12 July)
- Bronx, New York City, United States (18 July)
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain (24 July)
- Granges-près-Marnand, Switzerland (29 July)
- Dhamara Ghat, India (19 August)
- Tabasco, Mexico (25 August)
- Valea Lupului, Romania (8 September)
- Ottawa, Canada (18 September)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (19 October)
- Chapramari Forest, India (13 November)
- Bronx, New York City, United States (1 December)
- Bintaro, Indonesia (9 December)
2012 
2014
.SourcesLives lost: Remembering Lac-Mégantic’s victims, biographical sketches of those killed in the derailment, at the Montreal Gazette
Lac-Mégantic runaway train and derailment investigation (summary version of the TSB report)
Railway Investigation Report (long version of the TSB report)
Lac-Mégantic MMA Train Accident - 6 July 2013. Video from TSB Canada documenting findings from the TSB investigation of the Lac-Mégantic derailment.
Audio: Train engineer and railway company talk as Lac-Mégantic burns. Audio and text of conversations between the locomotive engineer and rail traffic controllers both before and after the derailment.
5 Keys to Understanding Lac Megantic disaster (in French, infographics)
BOOM: North America's Explosive Oil-by-Rail Problem Investigative report and documentary video by The Weather Channel and InsideClimate News[1]
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Jul 07, 2013 · LAC-MÉGANTIC,QUE.—So much is lost. Five people confirmed dead, 40 missing. They may never return, dead or alive, perhaps vaporized …- The official death toll now stands at five in Lac-Mégantic, Que., a day after a derailed train carrying crude oil exploded in the town's core, levelling buildings ...
About Lac-Mégantic Derailment Oil Railcar Explosion Notes Terrorism
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