Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

2014, August 11 - a northbound OTrain derails at a switch at Carleton station, one minor injury. 

Ottawa Citizen 12 August 2014 Woman hurt as O-Train derails near Carleton University O-Train service was suspended Monday after a minor derailment just before 3:30 p.m. near Carleton University, involving a northbound train. A female passenger in her 50s suffered from a sore neck and back after the crash and was taken to hospital as a precaution, paramedics said, Ottawa Citizen 13 August 2014 O-Train derailment a mystery Investigation is continuing MICHAEL WOODS OTTAWA CITIZEN The cause of Monday's minor O- Train derailment near Carleton University remained unknown on Tuesday, even as full service resumed in the morning. O-Train service resumed at about 8:45 a.m., a day after the minor derailment involving a northbound train near the university's station. A city spokesperson said on Tuesday that it would be "premature" to discuss possible causes of ,the derailment, because the cause remained under investigation. lt was unclear how long the investigation will take. Transit staff worked through Monday night and early Tuesday to rerail the train, move it to Walkley Yard and conduct inspections and repairs to the track, the city's manager of transit operations Troy Charter said via email.  When the train was evacuated after the derailment, a woman in her 50s requested assistance because she was suffering from a sore neck and back. She was taken to hospital as a precaution, paramedics said. No other injuries were reported. With files from Marie-Danielle Smith Ottawa Citizen  23 August 2014 Derailment blamed on human error and bad switch MATTHEW PEARSON ;OTTAWA CITIZEN The city is blaming the recent O-Train derailment on human error and a spring switch that didn't close properly On Aug. 11, just after 3 p.m., the O -Train travelling north toward Bayview station experienced a partial derailment as it approached Carleton station. When the train was evacuated after the derailment, a woman in her 50s requested assistance because she was suffering from a sore neck and back. She was taken to hospital as a precaution. No other injuries were reported. The O -Train returned to regular service at 8:45 a.m. the next day, once the necessary repairs and inspections were conducted to the track and signal infrastructure to ensure that train service could safely return to regular operation. In an interview Friday, OC Transpo general manager John Manconi said there's been no issue with the switch since the incident. "It's functioning perfectly now," he said.  An investigation has revealed that a spring switch, which is a piece of rail infrastructure that moves to direct a train from one track to another, remained slightly open, causing the train's second and third wheel sets to derail. The train was travelling at approximately 20 kmh at the time. "The investigation indicates that the spring switch did not properly close when a previous southbound trip travelled over it, resulting in a piece of the spring switch to become dislodged, resulting in the switch remaining in an open position," Manconi said. There was also a human factor at play. The operator failed to exit the train and physically inspect the track switch to ensure full alignment of the track after noting a signal light irregularity. The operator contacted the rail traffic control centre and confirmed that the signal irregularity was not due to another vehicle being in the section of the track. The operator reduced the travelling speed in accordance with the rules. When signal irregularities arise, operators are trained to follow Canadian Rail Operating Rules, which include exiting the train to conduct an inspection. "This procedure was not followed in relation to this occurrence. Transit Services Department has taken the appropriate internal action to ensure adherence to operating procedures," Manconi said. The operator is on "investigatory leave," which means they continue to be paid. "We take appropriate action once we have all the facts and information before us," Manconi told the Citizen.

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Updated 17 April 2019