Rail transportation safety investigation R24D0070

TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 27 January 2026.

Table of contents

    Movement exceeds limits of authority
    VIA Rail Canada Inc.
    Passenger train P06431-29
    Mile 72.3, Canadian National Railway Company (CN) St-Hyacinthe Subdivision
    Montréal, Quebec

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 29 September 2024, at approximately 1733 Eastern Daylight Time, VIA Rail Canada Inc. passenger train P06431-29 (VIA 64) was shoving eastward at a speed of approximately 10 mph when it passed a signal displaying a Stop indication without authorization at Mile 72.3 of the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) St-Hyacinthe Subdivision. The train came to a stop approximately 1500 feet past the signal when it ran through a main-track switch at the entrance to Victoria Bridge in Montréal, Quebec. A CN freight train (CN 321) travelling westward on the same track came to a stop approximately 1700 feet behind the tail end of VIA 64. There was no collision or derailment, and there were no injuries.

    Media materials

    News release

    Passenger train passes stop signal during movement to maintenance facility in Montréal, Quebec

    Investigation information

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.