Railway operations slowly resume in Repentigny, Que., following major derailment

Trains began slowly rolling through Repentigny, Que., in the early hours of Wednesday after a major derailment Sunday left the municipality and CN Rail with a colossal cleanup job.

In a statement, CN says that for now, trains will pass through the municipality at slower speeds, about 15 km/h compared to the usual 80 km/h speed limit. The company says it will also perform inspections after each train passes.

Cleanup crews are still on site and will continue to work over the coming days, the company adds.

Sunday’s derailment left 49 railcars sprawled across the tracks in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). No one was injured, the incident produced no fires or leaks, and no hazardous materials were on board at the time, says CN.

Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said, in a Facebook post Tuesday evening, that rail infrastructure has been restored and checked several times by CN.

“That being said, I fully understand that many citizens may feel a certain sense of unease,” wrote Dufour. “After the events of the past few days, these reactions are entirely normal. I share them and feel the same unease.”

WATCH | Residents react to railway operations resuming in Repentigny:

Days after derailment, trains are back on tracks in Repentigny, Que. — and residents are uneasy

Railway operations are resuming in the municipality northeast of Montreal, as crews continue to clean up 45 cargo train cars that derailed Sunday. CN says for now, trains will pass through at slower speeds and will be inspected, but some in the community still feel shaken.

The cause of the derailment remains unknown, and a TSB investigation is underway.

“As part of the assessment, investigators will examine train handling, rolling stock condition, and track condition,” a TSB spokesperson wrote in a statement to CBC News.

“At this stage of the investigation, it is too early to draw conclusions regarding the causes and contributing factors of this derailment.”

On Wednesday evening, in response to the unease expressed by residents and the mayor, CN says its team completely rebuilt the track and its foundation over 750 metres.

“Train speeds will be gradually increased, followed by rigorous technical assessments—including specialized inspections of track geometry and rail integrity—and an inspection by the regulatory body before normal operating speeds are restored,” CN wrote in a statement.

The company says it will continue to inspect the tracks until the cause behind the derailment is determined with certainty.