Rail traffic has gradually resumed in Repentigny, Quebec, following a significant derailment that left 49 train cars scattered across the tracks last Sunday afternoon. The first locomotive passed through the affected zone early Wednesday morning, marking a cautious return to normal operations in the area.
Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour announced via social media that trains began moving through shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday. CN Rail confirmed that all trains will operate at reduced speeds while qualified personnel conduct thorough inspections of the tracks. Company crews will remain at the location for several days as cleanup and environmental remediation efforts continue.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reported that the derailed cars ended up in various positions along the railway. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that no hazardous materials were released during the incident and no injuries occurred. According to CN Rail, all residual cars that had previously carried diesel fuel were empty at the time and have since been purged and removed from the site.
Local residents who were evacuated as a safety precaution were allowed to return to their homes Sunday night after officials declared the scene secure. The derailment also knocked out electricity to more than 1,000 customers, though power has since been fully restored to the affected area.
Mayor Dufour acknowledged that community members may experience anxiety as rail operations restart. He expressed understanding for these concerns, noting that an incident of this scale can leave lasting impressions even when no immediate danger exists. The Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation, examining track conditions, rolling stock, onboard recordings, and maintenance records while interviewing witnesses to determine what caused the derailment.
