Minor train derailment in the Squamish Estuary

There was a minor derailment in the Squamish Estuary on Oct. 9, CN has acknowledged. 

The Chief requested comment on the incident the following day, and CN replied nine days later.

The rail authority said its "crews responded to a minor incident on Oct. 9 when a railcar derailed one set of wheels but remained in an upright position in Squamish," in a written statement issued on Oct. 19.

"There are no fires or injuries reported, and the situation was promptly and safely addressed. According to the available information, the impacted railcar was carrying pulp," said a CN spokesperson in an emailed statement. 

Local conservationist John Buchanan shot photos of the incident and noted a more serious derailment happened in the estuary in the past. 

In 2012, 5,000 litres of diesel fuel were spilled in the Squamish Estuary after a broken piece of CN track punctured a locomotive's fuel tank on Nov. 8. 

At the time, CN officials had committed to double the Transport Canada-mandated frequency of testing on the affected section of track in response to the incident. 

~With files from David Burke/The Squamish Chief