Montreal officials, CN Rail hold joint disaster simulation

The Montreal fire department and CN Rail were participating in a joint hazardous material simulation at the Taschereau railyards Tuesday.

READ MORE: Quebec agency releases Lac-Megantic report

CN Rail employees showed off screw-down hatches, which are designed to defeat leaking chlorine; thickened walls aimed at being puncture-proof and more as reporters walked inside a tanker car.

The exercise simulated a rail accident, with workers having to deal with the effects of spilled chemicals like acid or explosives during a car derailment.

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READ MORE: Lac-Mégantic marks 4th anniversary of rail tragedy

“I don’t think we’re going to have that kind of disaster in Montreal,” insisted Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

On a weekly basis, rolling stock takes material like explosives and acids right through the island of Montreal.

READ MORE: Bilingual Lac-Mégantic criminal negligence trial to be held in Sherbrooke

After the Lac-Megantic rail disaster of 2013, officials say they are now taking more precautions with hazardous materials on the city’s rails.