Safety report: Canadian Pacific trains crashed after missed signal

Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has found that an August 2016 collision between two Canadian Pacific trains occurred when one of the trains ran a stop signal.

The investigation highlights the need for onboard voice and video recorders, TSB officials said in a press release.

In its report released last week, the TSB said that an eastbound CP freight train with two locomotives and 24 loaded cars was crossing from the north track to the south track along the North Toronto Subdivision in Toronto. At about the same time, a westbound train, composed of two locomotives, was approaching the same location on the north track. When it reached the crossover, the westbound train collided with the tail end of the eastbound train and the westbound train's two locomotives derailed upright.

Four of the intermodal cars (10 platforms) at the tail end of the eastbound train were struck and damaged, with four of the platforms derailing upright.

The fuel tank on the lead locomotive of the westbound train was punctured, resulting in the release of about 660 gallons of diesel fuel. Several small fires were extinguished on the site. The conductor of the westbound train was injured.

TSB investigators determined the crew of the westbound train had proceeded past an advance signal that required the crew to be prepared to stop at the next signal, without slowing or preparing to stop. A report of a trespasser diverted the crew's attention from the signal. Consequently, braking was not initiated until it was too late to safely stopping the train, resulting in the collision.

An onboard voice and video recorder could have provided investigators with better information, TSB officials said.