CPR's Harrison Assessment On Lac Megantic

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Although not directly related to passenger rail services the application and enforcement of any regulations go a long way to making train travel safer for all of us. Via had a couple of serious incidents recently involving human error.


Harrison's crafted assessment sounds too simplistic. Was it not a series of unanticipated events that created the disaster in Lac Megantic ?






New TSB rules would not have prevented Lac-Mégantic disaster, says CP Rail head
The Globe and Mail Friday, Oct. 03 2014

























“Lac-Mégantic happened, in my view, because of one person’s behaviour, if I read the file right,” Mr. Harrison said in an interview. “An individual did not set the brakes. And I think that we have overreacted and looked at a thousand different things about what we want to do with [regulations]. And you’re not going to write [regulations] that are going to stop behaviour.”


More at : http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/new-rules-would-not-have-prevented-lac-megantic-disaster-says-cp-rail-head/article20901298/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/new-rules-would-not-have-prevented-lac-megantic-disaster-says-cp-rail-head/article20901298/


K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc.

[Knut [e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Yes, in my mind the disaster was due to a number of events that all came together at the wrong time - pretty much like most accidents.

But If I had to pick one overall cause it would be the general poor maintenance of that railroad which had been a known a known issue for years.
If there had been no fire in the lead loco this accident would not have happened - if someone had restarted at least one of the locos or at least called the loco engineer after the fire was out that accident would not have happened
I'm not even sure if the investigation determined that all the manual brakes that were set were is satisfactory condition

Knut

---------

Post by xcnken-/***@public.gmane.org [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]
Although not directly related to passenger rail services the application and enforcement of any regulations go a long way to making train travel safer for all of us. Via had a couple of serious incidents recently involving human error.
Harrison's crafted assessment sounds too simplistic. Was it not a series of unanticipated events that created the disaster in Lac Megantic ?

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

If anyone wants to gauge the virtually unanimous negative reaction towards the missive launched by Mr. Harrison look at the reader's comment section in conjunction this Globe And Mail article.


What th' $%^&* was he thinkin' ?


K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc

[Railpast [e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

I think he is referring to the flood of new regulations that would not
have prevented Lac Megantic such as: <quote> for railways to install
better brakes on trains, have equipment at hand in the case of
disasters, and divert dangerous-goods trains from populated areas.>quote>

Better brakes are no value if they are not applied properly, have
equipment on hand, where, who knows where a derailment will happen and
divert dangerous goods, sure just lay down new track around all the
cities and towns.

Over regulating the industry will just compound the problem and slow
everything down and increase the cost of everything. He fully supports
safer tank cars, tighter safety rules and stiffer penalties and jail
time for those that mislabel hazardous goods. He is correct in saying
all the regulations in the world will not stop accidents if people do
not follow the rules. I am sure there have been numerous incidents of
brakes not being applied properly but the disaster at Lac Megantic was
the result of many factors coming together to cause it and the chance of
it happening again is slim.
*
*


CP’s Harrison warns Lac-Mégantic tragedy could happen again without
tougher safety rules

*http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/cps-harrison-warns-lac-megantic-tragedy-could-happen-again-without-tougher-safety-rules/article14393528/

Walter Pfefferle
Beachville Ontario
railpast.com

*

Post by xcnken-/***@public.gmane.org [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]
If anyone wants to gauge the virtually
unanimous negative reaction towards the missive launched by Mr.
Harrison look at the reader's comment section in conjunction this
Globe And Mail article.
What th' $%^&* was he thinkin' ?
K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc

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This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Neither am I in favour of over-regulating the rail industry. But weren't the existent safety measures (or the lack thereof ) highly ineffective ?


Harrison makes it sound as if individual(s) caused the tragedy. Not to defend anyone or anything here. Even if the required minimum instructions was met i.e. 9 hand brakes it wouldn't have been enough. Likewise with as many as double or more for a train of that weight. All the more so having no pneumatic air brakes to hold the train in place.


MMA special instructions wern' t thought out. Just like Transport Canada who never doesn't survey the carriers enough.


Likewise for Harrison and his dumb ' thoughts '.


K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc.

[[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Hi folks,

This thread started off-topic for this group and has continued to be so. Please bring it back on track.

Thanks,
Christian
Co-Moderator

------------------------------------
Posted by: christian.base-***@public.gmane.org
------------------------------------

For help, send an email to Canadian-Passenger-Rail-help-***@public.gmane.org

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Consider it done.

[midrly-FFYn/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Hunter Harrison was hired by Pershing Square to maximize CP's shareholder value. See Pershing Square's "CP Rising" website. CP Rising - Home http://www.cprising.com/

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He certainly was NOT hired to comment on the causes of derailments outside of the CPR.

Steve Lucas.

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

AMEN ! to that Mr.Lucas


K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc

['Don Thomas' [e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

His comments are absolutely part of his job. The proposed regulations affect his company and as one of the principle representatives of the industry it is his responsibility to comment when regulations are hastily proposed which, in his informed view, would not have prevented the accident, and would place restrictions on the industry without very good reason. If the head of a major railway cannot comment on the appropriateness of regulations facing his industry, then who can?



Don



From: Canadian-Passenger-Rail-***@public.gmane.org [mailto:Canadian-Passenger-Rail-***@public.gmane.org]
Sent: October-04-14 7:11 AM
To: Canadian-Passenger-Rail-***@public.gmane.org
Subject: [CanPassRail] Re: CPR's Harrison Assessment On Lac Megantic





Hunter Harrison was hired by Pershing Square to maximize CP's shareholder value. See Pershing Square's "CP Rising" website. CP Rising - Home <http://www.cprising.com/>



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He certainly was NOT hired to comment on the causes of derailments outside of the CPR.



Steve Lucas.

[gordon kennedy gkennedymba-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Some of you may have already seen this short 8mm film regarding the head-on collision between CP 1801 and CP 8787 on youtube, but for the benefit of others who have not I have included the link.


We all know 1801 was scrapped, but I seem to remember seeing 8787 ... was it scrapped too?










CP-Collision-Lachevrotiere-Qc-Dec1968.VOB




CP-Collision-Lachevrotiere-Qc-Dec1968.VOB
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Gordon
Shanghai

[xcnken-/[e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Quite interesting Gordon. First time I've ever seen it.


Called raw footage today that kind of access is off limits with the restricted perimeters railways set up at most accident scenes. ( short of an overpass )


Anyone know who screwed up here ?


Thanks again. K. Wadden Pointe Claire Qc.

[Christian Base [e-mail] [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]]

Hi all,

As previously stated, this discussion is off-topic for this forum. Take it
elsewhere.

Thank you,
Christian
CanPassRail co-moderator

Post by 'Don Thomas' thomasd-***@public.gmane.org [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]
His comments are absolutely part of his job. The proposed regulations
affect his company and as one of the principle representatives of the
industry it is his responsibility to comment when regulations are hastily
proposed which, in his informed view, would not have prevented the
accident, and would place restrictions on the industry without very good
reason. If the head of a major railway cannot comment on the
appropriateness of regulations facing his industry, then who can?
Don
*Sent:* October-04-14 7:11 AM
*Subject:* [CanPassRail] Re: CPR's Harrison Assessment On Lac Megantic
Hunter Harrison was hired by Pershing Square to maximize CP's shareholder
value. See Pershing Square's "CP Rising" website. CP Rising - Home
<http://www.cprising.com/>
[image: image] <http://www.cprising.com/>
CP Rising - Home <http://www.cprising.com/>
Vote Now Click the link below to vote your BLUE proxy or Voting
Instruction Form (VIF) at http://proxyvote.com How To Vote
View on *www.cprising.com* <http://www.cprising.com/>
Preview by Yahoo
He certainly was NOT hired to comment on the causes of derailments
outside of the CPR.
Steve Lucas.