(The following story by Tess Kalinowski, Carola Vyhnak and Richard J. Brennan appeared on the Toronto Star website on April 1, 2010.)

TORONTO The CN train derailment outside the Pickering GO station Tuesday raises plenty of questions but answers are hard to come by.

It was the sixth derailment in as many years along a section of tracks stretching from Whitby to Pickering and running north and south of the 401 and the second in just over a month in the area. But at least two railway and industry experts dismiss suggestions of any link.

I dont think theres anything specific to that area, said Mike Cyr, director of rail services for GO Transit. Theres nothing that Ive read on those derailments thats similar in all circumstances.

A CN spokesperson pointed to nation-wide statistics to paint a picture of safety.

CN main-track accidents in Canada are down 70 per cent year-to-date in 2010, compared to the same period of 2009. Last year, CN main-track accidents in Canada were down more than 35 per cent from 2008. Clearly, the trend is going in the right direction, said CN spokesperson Mark Hallman.

Tuesdays incident involved an eastbound train hauling three non-operating locomotives as well as nine cars carrying plastics, lumber and potash. It went off the rails near the Pickering GO station. There was no leak in the single car that was carrying methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, a chemical used to make polyurethane foam for freezer and fridge insulation.

MDI can be toxic to humans. No one was hurt in the crash and the Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

And while any cause remains a mystery its that risk from the unknown that worries Durham residents.

If there was a chemical spill or explosion, the whole neighbourhood would have to be evacuated. If the wind was blowing this way, it will definitely affect my health and well-being, said Nancy Skelly Wednesday, standing on a backyard deck, just a long stones throw from the site of Tuesdays mishap.

Rail traffic averages about five or six an hour through the day, said neighbour Dana Hildebrand. Once it hits 11 at night, its cargo train after cargo train and you dont know what theyre carrying.

According to the Railway Association of Canada about 12 per cent of all rail traffic carries dangerous goods.

CN runs about 40 freight trains through the Toronto area each day meaning if those trains were only 30 cars in length (a GO train comprises 10 or 12 cars) there is the potential that each day dozens of rail cars are hauling harmful materials in the GTA.

During Tuesdays accident, Pickerings fire department was on scene but according to Chief Bill Douglas the department does not handle hazardous materials or fight chemical fires thats the job of railways and private companies. Firefighters priority is keeping the community safe, he said.

We were very lucky this time. There was no gas and just a minor fire. But we never know. A train derailment can be huge, like a plane crash, he said.

That uncertainly has caught the attention of Canadas junior transport minister.

It is the busiest (rail) corridor in Canada, thats why I want a thorough investigation done of this one, Rob Merrifield told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Already, freight trains traveling through highly populated areas run at lower speeds. And sensors that detect heat on the wheels and bearings of the train and equipment that might be dragging are also placed at closer intervals along the tracks in cities.

According to safety board spokesperson John Cottreau a written report on the most recent derailment, what it calls a Class 3 investigation, will be available at some point. Cottreau said it was too soon to say whether the investigation would be upgraded to a Class 2, which would also result in recommendations to prevent further similar incidents.

That is too late for Peggy Collins whose family had front-row seats to a wreck last June.

There was a great big rumbling and everything was shaking, Collins recalled of the accident when two CP locomotives and 27 cars went off the rails less than 100 metres from her house near Park Rd. and Highway 401 in Oshawa. Stuff was on fire, the engine was leaking diesel fuel, there was spilled powder all over the place. All the neighbours were saying, Get outta here now!

Her children, who were 8 and 10 at the time of the two-day evacuation, are still bothered by the event, said Collins.

Its just a matter of time before it happens again.

Thursday, April 01, 2010