CN trains resume in Repentigny after weekend derailment; company goes door-to-door to reassure residents
Railway line reopened after 46-car derailment Saturday in residential neighbourhood; trains running at reduced 15 km/h speed while investigations continue.
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Train service has resumed on the CN railway line in Repentigny just days after a weekend derailment in a residential neighbourhood, with company representatives now visiting homes to address anxious residents' concerns.
The line reopened Thursday with authorization from federal authorities following the Saturday incident in the La Gardeur sector, where 46 freight cars derailed. Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour confirmed the restart: "A few trains have already run, and so far, everything appears to be proceeding normally. CN crews are continuing their on-site inspections, while City crews will remain on site to provide independent oversight of the situation."
Many residents had expressed anxiety about trains running again so soon. CN said it has completely rebuilt the track and track bed before resuming service. Trains are operating at a sharply reduced speed of 15 km/h, far below the regulated limit of around 80 km/h for freight trains.
"They will continue to run at significantly reduced speeds while additional work, inspections, and testing are being completed," CN said in a statement. "As the track continues to perform as expected, speeds will be gradually increased followed by rigorous engineering assessments, including specialized track geometry and rail integrity testing, as well as an inspection by the regulator before normal operating speeds will be restored."
The derailment caused no injuries and no dangerous materials were leaked, according to federal authorities. The cause remains under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board and CN. A community meeting is planned for mid-August where CN senior management may participate to answer resident questions.
