Excessive Speed Caused Canada Train Derailment

March 2, 2012

Investigators say a Canadian Via Rail passenger train was going four times the normal speed when it derailed west of Toronto, killing three railroad employees and injuring 45 passengers.

The Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that the train was traveling at 67 mph (107 kph) when it derailed while switching tracks on Sunday. The speed limit while changing tracks is 15 mph (24 kph).

Investigators say the train’s black box shows the brakes were not applied before the crash.

The locomotive crashed on its side into a small trackside building. A Via official said all six cars derailed.

Officials said 75 people were on board the train traveling from Niagara Falls to Toronto.