A train derailment near Paris, Ont. disrupted VIA Rail passenger service in southern Ontario on Friday. Ontario Provincial Police said the initial reports, made at 6 a.m., indicated two container cars were involved. It was then determined more than two dozen train cars belonging to the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) had derailed. A CN vehicle, as well as stalled trains, were seen along Dundas Street East near Consolidated Drive. According to the County of Brant, no injuries were reported. There were also no leaks, spills or fires associated with the derailment. Workers from CN, as well as CN Police, and the Brant Fire Department were on scene to make repairs and clear the tracks. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said they also sent a team to investigate the derailment. The agency investigates all incidents involving planes, boats, pipelines or trains. In an emailed statement, CN officials confirmed train service was restored Saturday morning. “There were no injuries, leaks, or fires reported,” it read. Work crews are expected to remain on scene for the next several days as the investigation into the cause of the derailment continues. “CN apologises for any inconvenience caused by this incident and thanks first responders and the County of Brant for their assistance,” concludes the email. Train delays VIA Rail said the derailment caused “significant service disruptions” along the Windsor-Toronto corridor. In a statement, the company called it “an incident beyond our control.” While VIA uses the tracks, they are owned and operated by CN. A spokesperson for CN said the incident is under investigation. “CN crews are responding to the upright derailment of approximately 24 railcars and one locomotive in Paris, Ontario. There are no reports of injuries, leaks, spills or fires, and no crossings are blocked,” said CN spokesperson Michelle Hannan, in an emailed statement Friday evening. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow crews to safely complete their work. “CN thanks first responders for their assistance and apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this incident.” Some VIA trips were cancelled, while others were detoured through Guelph. “VIA Rail sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this situation,” the company said in their statement. VIA also encouraging passengers to check for real-time train status updates online. - With reporting from Travis Fortnum
