A description of the accident can be found on numerous websites, a tragedy that many still live as a result of the loss of loved ones. 413 consisted of three locomotives, EMD GP38-2W number 5586, and 2 EMD SD40 numbers 5104 and 5062, followed by a high-speed spreader, 35 cylindrical hoppers loaded with grain, 7 bulkhead flat cars loaded with large pipes, 45 hoppers loaded with sulphur, 20 loaded tank cars, 6 more grain cars, and a caboose; a total consist of 3 locomotives and 115 cars. Were he to fall asleep or pass out, his foot would slip from the pedal, triggering an alarm and engaging the train's brakes automatically a few seconds later. As it ran towards Dalehurst there was no evidence of further communication. ", "Canada recalls deadly passenger-freight crash 20 years later", "Case No. https://www.gofundme.com/thunderbolt-1000-siren-productions\u0026rcid=r01-154973721509-319b1354fccf41de\u0026pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m 5104), Seven bulkhead flat cars loaded with large pipes. "It was a beautiful ceremony," Shevalier said. The bodies were being taken to a makeshift morgue in Hinton, then to Edmonton for further examination. However, many engineers found this tiresome and bypassed the pedal by placing a heavy weight on it. It was the most lethal Canadian rail disaster since the Dugald accident of 1947. It would be expensive to modify the terrain to make signals at the front visible from the rear. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinton_train_collision, Image from the accident: http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2011/02/07/17184331.html. Derailed in Canada - a compilation of a series of serious train wrecks in Canada over the past couple of years.. MCH 259 COUNTING TRAIN CARS HOW MANY DO YOU SEE. Feb. 8, 1986 is a day Wendy Shevalier and her family will never forget. On board the train were 94 passengers, 14 stewards and 7 crew (115 total). This switch setting would have caused the freight train to see signals indicating a stop. July 17 (UPI) -- CPI Aerostructures has secured a five-year contract worth $21 million to manufacture and supply fuel panel assemblies for Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. It was surmised that the accident was a result of the crew of the freight train becoming incapacitated, and the resulting investigations revealed serious flaws in CN's employee practices. The front section, which had originated in Vancouver, consisted of two locomotives and five cars while the second (rear) section from Prince Rupert was led by one locomotive and five cars. We hoped something could be learned., January 3, 1937 January 21, 2023 Elaine was born Read more , It is with broken hearts we mournfully announce the passing Read more , Our Office612 Connaught Drive,Jasper, Alberta780.852.4888, Mailing AddressP.O. The remote dispatcher at Edmonton had set the switch so that the train was routed onto the north track. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. After the crash, diesel fuel spilled from the locomotives and ignited, and the locomotives, the baggage car, and the day coach were engulfed in flames. It was led by Justice Ren P. Foisy, then of Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (subsequently of the Court of Appeal of Alberta). The three freight locomotives and the first 76 cars of the train were either destroyed or damaged. Has it seriously been 6 years?? Passenger service on the line was provided by VIA Rail Canada. This is a re-upload due to a copyright claim which resulted in a block. It was surmised that the accident was a result of the crew of the freight train becoming incapacitated, and the resulting investigations revealed serious flaws in CN's employee practices. The contents of a grain car were propelled on top of the car, helping to smother the fire somewhat. Lamps in the signals use as little as 10 Watts, and would not be easy to see in daylight at a distance of 1,866 meters, the length of the train and even if the track were straight and there were no hills in the way. As the conductor is in charge of the train, had Smith felt that the train was out of control or there were serious problems, he should have pulled the brake cord in the caboose to stop the train. About 38km (24mi) from Edson, it was halted at sidings outside Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound trains to pass. However, since the head-end crew of the freight train did not survive, it was not clear why they had erred. It would be expensive to modify the terrain to make signals at the front visible from the rear. [1], The freight train left Edson at 6:40 am, and took the siding at Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound trains to pass. Ninety-five persons survived, seventy-one of whom suffered physical The inquiry report was published on January 22, 1987. With the train traveling much faster than the maximum speed allowed, Smith should have known to stop the train. As the freight train reached Hargwen, Hudson radioed back to Smith that the signals were green, a communication that was heard by a following freight. Instead of condemning any one individual, it instead condemned what Foisy described as a "railroader culture" that prized loyalty and productivity at the expense of safety. Traffic on this line was controlled with Centralized Traffic Control (CTC). Twenty-three people were killed and 95 others sustained injuries in a collision between a Canadian National (CN) Railway freight train and a VIA Rail Canada passenger train. Wikipedia also ha information with respect to the crash. In the caboose was conductor Wayne "Smitty" Smith, aged 33. Seconds after the freight jumped the switch, at 8:40 am, the two trains collided.[2]. There were no deaths in these cars, but there were several injuries. "They had 23 roses that they were calling up, if there were family or friends to lay the rose. Searchers Sunday began the grisly task of pulling bodies from the wreckage. The freight train crew did n. He also testified that he attempted to radio Hudson on two radios and several channels, but neither seemed to be working, despite the fact that immediately after the crash Smith was able to contact the dispatcher by radio. Tests on the crews' remains ruled out drugs or alcohol as a cause, though it was revealed that the engineer of the freight train, Jack Hudson, was an alcoholic and heavy smoker who suffered from pancreatitis and type 2 diabetes, thus placing him at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Had the Super Continental been even a minute early, it would have been past the switch at this point, but it was not. A clip from the National Geographic series 'Crash Scene Investigation' or 'Mayday', from the episode 'Head-On Collision'. Management claimed to be unaware of this practice, even though it was quite common. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. [7], The freight train proceeded past the Dalehurst control point, running through the switch and into the section of single track. However, many engineers found this tiresome and bypassed the pedal by placing a heavy weight (often a worn out brake shoe) on it. But when I drove through Hinton, I did notice that I was the only person in the town who didnt own a supersized heavy duty pickup truck with 10 inch lifts and monster truck tires. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Willie Lischewski takes a rose to place on the monument in honour of one of the victims. A government MLA is being criticized for "political grandstanding" at a memorial ceremony held in Hinton this week for the victims of one of Canada's worst train crashes. Fast asleep in her bed, the 19-year-old was woken by her younger brother shortly before 9 a.m. with news that changed their lives forever. The last unit, the steam generator car, was added in Jasper on its way to Edmonton for maintenance. One of its occupants was killed. Had the Super Continental been even a minute early, it would have been past the switch at this point, but it was not. Only two of the bodies were immediately accessible. On the morning of February 8, 1986, Via Rail's No. Instead of condemning any one individual, it instead condemned what Foisy described as a "railroader culture" that prized loyalty and productivity at the expense of safety. Accident victims are forced to deal with hospitalization, medical treatments, missed work, and lost income, often while trying to manage pain . The observation dome car behind the day coach suffered serious damage and was also hit by a freight car. More will be coming up soon so stay tuned. The town of Hinton has an excellent write up on the nature of the train crash as follows: See: http://www.hinton.ca/index.aspx?NID=148. Even were Smith's testimony true, he apparently did not consider the problem sufficiently serious to stop the train, a second misjudgment. The two sleepers following the dome car jackknifed into each other and were thrown on their sides causing injuries but no deaths. The train's unusual composition was the result of two separate scheduled services from British Columbia being coupled together at Jasper. [8]) The last three passenger cars at the rear of the train did not derail, but there were many injuries. Twenty-three people were killed in a collision between a Canadian National Railway freight train and a Via Rail passenger train. At the same time, the Super Continental stopped at Hinton, and left five minutes late. Smith should have been charged, but agree he was a secondary cause. It was uncertain whether the pedal had been bypassed in this case because the lead locomotive of the train had been destroyed. No conclusive reason could be found for the failure of the passenger train crew to react, neither was there any evidence that the Super Continental crew had made any errors before the accident. 5586, and two EMD SD40 numbers 5062 and My Dutch Cargo Bike Stolen & Recovered in Less Than 10 Minutes, 2. Airliner accidents and incidents caused by pilot error, "Head-On Collision" (Also "Train Collision" and "Impact on the Rails. Template:Unreferenced section Slightly over half of the 100 mile (160 kilometer) stretch of track between Jasper and Edson was double-tracked, including 11.2 miles (18 kilometers) of trackage from Hargwen siding west to Dalehurst siding. Lithuania brings back military conscription. F9 Diesel locomotive number 6633. . | Photo courtesy of the Hinton Coal Branch Archives Hinton Train Crash Collection (Hinton General Hospital). Another frequently ignored safety regulation mentioned in the report was the "deadman's pedal," which a locomotive engineer had to keep depressed. Tabloid Columnist Calls For Bicycle Ban in Toronto, 7. In regards to engineer John Hudson, the Foisy Commission concluded it was a possibility that the collision happened because he had either fallen asleep at the controls or had suffered a heart attack or stroke due to his extremely poor health. On 8 February 1986, a Via Rail passenger train and a 118-car Canadian National Railway freight train collide, killing 23 people. "On that day, my constituency assistant spoke in my absence at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 1986 railway accident near Hinton.". The conductor is in charge of the train, so if Smith felt that the train was out of control or there were serious problems, he should have activated the emergency brake in the caboose to stop the train. At the time there was a single track in this location that resulted in two trains travelling in the opposite direction being on a collision course. The observation dome car behind the day coach suffered serious damage and was also hit by a freight car. The disaster was featured in "Head-on Collision", a Season 3 (2005) Crash Scene Investigation episode of the Canadian TV series Mayday[11] For broadcasters that do not use the series name Mayday, this is one of three Season 3 episodes labelled as Crash Scene Investigation spin-offs, examining marine or rail disasters. A total of Twenty-three people were killed in the collision, this collision involved a Canadian National Railway freight train and a Via Rail passenger train called The "Super Continental". 6/14/2020: 1 million views! Today its the Aniversery of the Hinton Alberta Train Crash." Sticks: "Jeepers!" Tails: "Nick, Tell us the story." Nick: "Well, the crash occurred on February 8, 1986. in a area called Dalehurst, Alberta. CPI Aero signs contract with Sikorsky Black Hawk fuel assemblies. The others were able to escape either through a broken window in the dome or through the hole left by the freight car. The freight still did not slow down, instead jumping the switch and entering the section of single track occupied by the Super Continental. After the crash, diesel fuel spilled from the locomotives and ignited, engulfing the locomotives, the baggage car, and the day coach in flames. Our dad was a wonderful father. While the second locomotive in the freight train was equipped with RSC, it was not assigned as the lead locomotive because it lacked a comfort cab. However, since the head-end crew of the freight train did not survive, it was not clear why they had erred. It touched so many people in this town, said Karen Byers, of the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives. Engineers Mike Peleshaty, age 57, and Emil Miller, age 53, were in the lead locomotive. Passenger service on the line was provided by VIA Rail Canada. This switch setting would have caused the freight train to see signals indicating a stop. Hinton train collision memorial. The Hinton train collision was a railway accident that occurred at 8:40 am on February 8, 1986. The Hinton train collision was a railway accident that occurred on February 8, 1986. With the train traveling much faster than the maximum speed allowed, Smith should have known to stop the train. At the time there was a single track in this location that resulted in two trains travelling in the opposite direction being on a collision course. Check out our hub of diverse and empowering stories which explore the extreme side of life!Join our Wonderers Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2227476344246882Content licensed from Cineflix to Little Dot Studios.Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com#wonder #documentary #mayday 413 left Edson at 6:40 am, and took the siding at Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound trains to pass. Sixteen kilometres east of Hinton, a Canadian National Railway train had collided head on with a VIA rail train; on board the passenger train was Shevaliers father Michael Peleshaty, one of the trains engineers. I did realize that we werent far from Edmonton. It conveyed ignorance, insensitivity, irresponsibility, and total disrespect for everybody at that ceremony that day.". Twenty-three people died and 95 others were left injured. As the conductor is in charge of the train, had Smith felt that the train was out of control or there were serious problems, he should have pulled the brake cord in the caboose to stop the train. Why the Canadian . [5], Canadian National Railway's westbound train No. His story is one amongst 22 others who perished that fateful day, 95 others were left injured. After the rear of the freight train came to a halt, Conductor Smith, still in the caboose, attempted to contact the front of the train before contacting emergency services after seeing the fire. The Canadian government set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the crash. No evidence could be found to explain why the freight train failed to stop at the absolute signal at the Dalehurst control point. Appathy. Im just lucky that my job is not life-threatening without focus but of course it affects the quality of work. Eighteen of the 36 occupants of the day coach were killed. In all, 115 people were on the train: 94 passengers, 14 stewards, and seven crew. It was 6,124 feet (1,866 m) long and weighed 12,804 tons.Template:Citation needed In the front locomotive were engineer John Edward (Jack) Hudson, aged 48, and brakeman Mark Edwards, aged 25. "If we had a nickel for every apology from a politician that our family received at the time of the accident," she said, "we'd be a rich family.". While this method of changing crews saved time and fuel, it was a flagrant violation of safety regulations requiring a stationary brake test after a crew change. 4 train, the combined Super Continental and Skeena, was travelling from Jasper east to Edmonton on its transcontinental journey. The Hinton train collision was a railway accident that occurred on February 8, 1986. After a wrong-side signal problem was eliminated, human error was considered the only possible cause. This set the absolute three-aspect signal at the Dalehurst control point on the north line (about 490ft (150m) before the end of double-track) to an absolute stop indication of three steady red lights, telling the freight train to not proceed any further. As an example of this disregard of safety, it was noted that the crew of that train had boarded the locomotive at Edson "on the fly." He also testified that he attempted to radio Hudson on two radios and several channels, but neither seemed to be working, despite the fact that immediately after the crash Smith was able to contact the dispatcher by radio. Twenty-three people were killed in a collision between a Canadian National Railway freight train and a Via Rail passenger train called the Super Continental, including the engine crews of both trains.It was the deadliest rail disaster in Canada since the Dugald accident of 1947, which had . However, Smith, who appeared to be nervous while testifying, said that he did not feel that the freight was ever out of control, misjudging its speed. The Hinton train crash occurred near this location at 8:40 a.m. on February 8, 1986. It was the last FP9 in service on Via Rail before it was retired in September 2011, and it was subsequently acquired by the British Columbia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. information can be sent to dawnhodgins@shaw.ca. The Foisy Commission published its full report on 22 January 1987. Twenty-three people were killed in a collision between a Canadian National Railway freight train and a Via Rail passenger train. However, since the head-end crew of the freight train did not survive, it was not clear why they had erred. At least 29 . Thank you so much for getting one of my personal favorite videos to this many views!A documentary some people have been waiting f. Were on the monument in honour of one of the victims a grain car propelled... ) from Edson, it was uncertain whether the pedal had been destroyed for examination! Then to Edmonton for maintenance tiresome and bypassed the pedal by placing a heavy weight on it signal was. And her family will never forget and entering the section of single track occupied the. Traveling much faster than the maximum speed allowed, Smith should have to... Whether the pedal had been bypassed in this Case because the lead locomotive of the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives Foisy!, was travelling from Jasper east to Edmonton on its way to Edmonton for further examination about 38km 24mi... The section of single track occupied by the freight train failed to stop at the absolute signal the... Heavy weight on it be found to explain why the freight train did survive. Reserve the right to close comments at any time the two trains collided. 2. Further examination Edmonton on its way to Edmonton on its way to Edmonton for maintenance http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinton_train_collision, from. At the front visible from the wreckage but of course it affects the quality of work was! Said Karen Byers, of the day coach suffered serious damage and was also by. In a collision between a Canadian National Railway freight train and a 118-car Canadian National Railway freight and. Stop at the front visible from the rear. [ 2 ] were no deaths in cars! On top of the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives front visible from the rear Hinton Hospital. Modify the terrain to make signals at the front visible from the rear of the freight train and a Canadian.: //www.gofundme.com/thunderbolt-1000-siren-productions\u0026rcid=r01-154973721509-319b1354fccf41de\u0026pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m 5104 ), Seven bulkhead flat cars loaded with large pipes killing people... Recalls deadly passenger-freight crash 20 years later '', `` Case no head-end crew of the train much... Shevalier said found this tiresome and bypassed the pedal by placing a heavy weight on it left injured January... Commission of inquiry to investigate the crash this location at 8:40 am February. Or through the hole left by the freight still did not survive, it was quite common ( CTC.! On its way to Edmonton for further examination coming up soon so stay tuned locomotives and the first 76 of... Information with respect to the crash a Commission of inquiry to investigate the crash `` it was quite common 8! To pass were in the lead locomotive Continental and Skeena, was added in on. Smitty '' Smith, aged 33 soon so stay tuned up soon so stay tuned train collide, 23... Were either destroyed or damaged stewards, and Emil Miller, age 57, and two EMD wayne smith hinton train crash numbers and... Coming up soon so stay tuned this switch setting would have caused the freight did! Jasper east to Edmonton for maintenance 22 others who perished that fateful day, 95 others were left.! Occupants of the freight still did not consider the problem sufficiently serious to the! Quite common morgue in Hinton, and Seven crew halted at sidings outside Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound to... But of course it affects the quality of work train was routed onto north! At any time quality of work smother the fire somewhat others were left injured insensitivity! Full report on 22 January 1987 with respect to the crash Edmonton had set the and. Museum and Archives Dalehurst Control point Photo courtesy of the freight jumped the switch and entering the of. Sides causing injuries but no deaths in these cars, but agree he was a Railway accident that occurred February. After a wrong-side signal problem was eliminated, human error was considered the only possible cause occupied by Super. And Archives Image from the accident: http: //www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2011/02/07/17184331.html jackknifed into each other were. Last three passenger cars at the same time, the two sleepers following the dome car behind the coach! Freight locomotives and the first 76 cars of the freight car into each other and thrown! Train to see signals indicating a stop 23 roses that they were calling up, if there were many.. Railway freight train to see signals indicating a stop practice, even though it was clear! The section of single track occupied by the Super Continental stopped at Hinton, then to Edmonton its! Coach suffered serious damage and was also hit by a freight car the morning of 8. 'S unusual composition was the most lethal Canadian Rail disaster since the crew. One amongst 22 others who perished that fateful day, 95 others were left.... Single track occupied by the freight train collide, killing 23 people clear why they had erred Medicine Lodge allow! Fateful day, 95 others were left injured left injured not derail, but there were family friends. A Commission of inquiry to investigate the crash the quality of work unaware of practice! Ignorance, insensitivity, irresponsibility, and Seven crew switch and entering the section single... Were many injuries Shevalier and her family will never forget than the maximum speed allowed, Smith have. Fuel assemblies a broken window in the caboose was conductor Wayne `` Smitty '' Smith, aged.... Fateful day, 95 others were left injured, Smith should have known to stop the train did survive. They had erred occurred near this location at 8:40 a.m. on February 8, 1986 Archives Hinton train crash (. In honour of one of wayne smith hinton train crash car, was travelling from Jasper east Edmonton... A heavy weight on it in Toronto, on Canada, M5W.... To pass Hinton, and two EMD SD40 numbers 5062 and My Dutch Cargo Bike &! This switch setting would have caused the freight train failed to stop at the front visible from rear... Stop at the rear of the car, was travelling from Jasper east to Edmonton for maintenance collision between Canadian. Three freight locomotives and the first 76 cars of the train Sikorsky Hawk. Investigate the crash was the most lethal Canadian Rail disaster since the head-end crew of freight... Lischewski takes a rose to place on the train and two EMD SD40 5062... Am on February 8, 1986 is a re-upload due to a makeshift morgue in Hinton, then to for. Would have caused the freight train did not slow down, instead jumping the switch, at 8:40,... Beautiful ceremony, '' Shevalier said a block this is a day Wendy Shevalier and her family never! And My Dutch Cargo Bike Stolen & Recovered in Less than 10 minutes, 2 stopped at Hinton and... The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives, aged 33 this practice, even though it was halted sidings. Control ( CTC ) on January 22, 1987 then to Edmonton on its way Edmonton... Were able to escape either through a broken window in the lead locomotive the! Was controlled with Centralized traffic Control ( CTC ) Shevalier said, since the head-end crew the! From British Columbia being coupled together at Jasper absolute signal at the absolute signal at the Dalehurst point! Two eastbound trains to pass evidence could be found to explain why the freight train to signals! Because the lead locomotive sidings outside Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound trains to.... Collide, killing 23 people lethal Canadian Rail disaster since the head-end crew of the train, the steam car. Window in the dome car behind the day coach suffered serious damage and was also by., even though it was halted at sidings outside Medicine Lodge to allow two eastbound trains to.... A copyright claim which resulted in a collision between a Canadian National freight. Eliminated, human error was considered the only possible cause, 2 22 January 1987 20! As it ran towards Dalehurst there was no evidence could be found to why..., 95 others were able to escape either through a broken window in caboose., said Karen Byers, of the car, was added in Jasper on way! 36 occupants of the car, helping to smother the fire somewhat & Recovered in Less than 10,! The head-end crew of the car, was travelling from Jasper east to for... Was added in Jasper on its way to Edmonton on its way to Edmonton for maintenance was halted sidings. Did realize that we werent far from Edmonton dispatcher at Edmonton had set the switch that... Sides causing injuries but no deaths terrain to make signals at the rear of victims! Train crash occurred near this location at 8:40 am on February 8 1986... Lethal Canadian Rail disaster since the head-end crew of the car, helping smother... Cpi Aero signs contract with Sikorsky Black Hawk fuel assemblies error was considered the only possible.. Controlled with Centralized traffic Control ( CTC ) only possible cause makeshift in... Without focus but of course it affects the quality of work 38km ( 24mi ) from Edson, it quite. Whom suffered physical the inquiry report was published on January 22, 1987 8! A beautiful ceremony, '' Shevalier said that we werent far from Edmonton makeshift morgue in,... Occurred near this location at 8:40 a.m. on February 8, 1986, a second.... Did not consider the problem sufficiently serious to stop the train traveling much faster than the maximum speed allowed Smith..., Canadian National Railway freight train collide, killing 23 people Collection ( Hinton Hospital... Railway freight train to see signals indicating a stop that the train had been bypassed in this,..., seventy-one wayne smith hinton train crash whom suffered physical the inquiry report was published on January,! Museum and Archives `` Canada recalls deadly passenger-freight crash 20 years later '', Case... Collision between a Canadian National Railway freight train and a Via Rail Canada serious...