A freight train component was the cause of a train derailment that happened a few miles north of Innisfail along Highway 2A last year.
On Jan. 18, 2011, 16 cars were derailed after a car jumped the track near the Niobe grain elevator. Canadian Pacific Railway has since conducted an internal investigation as to the cause of the derailment.
"The cause did come back that it was a defective freight car component," said Kevin Hrysak, a spokesperson for CP Rail. Hrysak said he was unaware what exact part was the problem, how it failed or where on the train the faulty component was located.
"It could be one of a number of things," Hyrsak said.
The Transportation Safety Board did not conduct a full investigation despite being initially on scene because no one was injured and nothing was leaked from the train, which was carrying mixed freight of sand, mixed grain, peas and anhydrous ammonia.
Hrysak said the result of CP's internal investigation is that the inspection procedure is changing.
"We have reviewed our inspection procedure," Hrysak said. He said he's unsure how the faulty component got through inspection. In addition to increasing inspection procedures CP Rail is investing in wayside inspection devices.
Hrysak said this type of event is "not common."
