Watch: TSB on the scene of train derailment near Brockville
TORONTO – CN crews have cleared a 25-car freight train derailment near Brockville, Ont. as the Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate what caused the derailment.
The incident happened around 4:10 a.m. Thursday morning, near Lyn Road and Highway 401. No injuries were reported.
Stranded Via Rail passengers
Service disruptions have affected about 3,600 VIA Rail passengers travelling along the Toronto-Montreal corridor on Thursday.
VIA Rail says the disruptions will continue into Friday morning.
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“Morning trains for tomorrow (41, 43, 51, 61, 50, 61) will be replaced by bus and we will be announcing when there will be line clearance,” the company tweeted on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson said service between Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Montreal have been replaced by buses.
WATCH: VIA Rail not sure when regular service will resume
Via Rail spokesperson Jacques Gagnon told The Canadian Press that it can be difficult to find buses to transport passengers during the summer peak vacation season when charter buses are in high demand.
But the company has managed to secure enough buses to maintain service until the cleanup is done, he said, calling the situation “a logistic challenge.”
“I understand there’s a lineup of freight trains that cannot go through as a result of the derailment,” he added.
What were the trains carrying?
A CN official said derailed cars included two loaded automobile carriers, five carrying carbon powder, 12 unloaded fuel tank and six empty platforms.
A CN spokesperson said there doesn’t appear to be any leaks coming from the fuel tank cars.
Images from the scene show a number of vehicles littering the tracks.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
WATCH: Displaced VIA passengers frustrated, but understanding of the situation
Meanwhile, some passengers took to Twitter to express their frustration over VIA Rail’s website travel advisory, specifically the portion where it said “alternative transportation” will be used to replace the trains.
– With a file from The Canadian Press
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