Derailed tank cars in the Feb. 2024 derailment at the CPKC Kipp rail yard near Coalhurst. (Image Credit: Transportation Safety Board of Canada)

By David Opinko

CPKC makes safety improvements following derailment near Lethbridge

Mar 11, 2026 | 11:26 AM

Two years after a train derailment in southern Alberta, an investigation into the matter has been completed.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its report following the incident on Feb. 11, 2024, at Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Kipp rail yard west of Coalhurst.

Just before midnight, a yard crew was attempting to connect 66 railcars to a set of stationary cars using a remote-control locomotive system.

While reversing toward the stationary cars, the TSB says an inaccurate estimate of the remaining distance for coupling resulted in a collision with the stationary cars.

A total of 11 cars derailed, but nobody was hurt and no dangerous goods were released.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“The investigation found that the crew’s switching practices involved multiple adaptations from written instructions, reducing the safety margins those procedures were intended to provide. Additionally, the employee providing distance information was doing so by portable two-way radio while driving a vehicle, dividing his attention,” reads the report from the TSB.

It says the combination of high cognitive load and reduced visibility at night affected the employee’s ability to provide accurate distance estimates to the foreman.

Transport Canada inspected the rail yard and later issued a letter of non-compliance.

In response, CPKC conducted its own formal investigation and coached crew members on the rules.

The company conducted job briefings and a safety blitz to educate employees on the occurrence.

The TSB adds that an operating bulletin was issued by CPKC, requiring that all crew members pushing equipment on non-main tracks must have a qualified employee riding the leading piece of equipment while controlling the movement.

Transport Canada says sufficient action has been taken.

You can read the full report on TSB.gc.ca

READ MORE: Crews investigating train collision and derailment west of Lethbridge (Feb. 2024 article)