20 February 2006
Weather Halting Efforts to Fix Derailed Train
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Cars were knocked off by Friday's wind.
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Montreal - Canadian Pacific officials say they have no idea how long it will take to move a
train that's derailed on a bridge over the St. Lawrence River.
The six cars derailed during last Friday's storm, and three days after they came off the tracks, the six rail cars are still on the
bridge near LaSalle, leaning at what appears to be a very precarious angle.
High winds over the weekend prevented workers from removing them. Although train derailments are common, this particular case is not,
according to Michel Spenard, who speaks for CP.
Cold, wind, and the position of the cars make it difficult and dangerous work.
"To derail on that bridge, for most of the people, I think, it's a new event for them and it's a real learning experience for
everybody," Spenard said Monday.
CP freight trains are being rerouted onto Canadian National lines.
However, commuter trains on the Delson-Candiac line have been cancelled. The Metropolitain Transport Agency is providing an
alternate bus service to all stations except LaSalle.
"We will check the situation with CP every day, and we will put the bus shuttles as long as it's necessary," says Melanie
Nadeau of the AMT.
And it won't be business as usual when crews manage to right the cars. Spenard says once the train is off the bridge, damaged ties and
rails will need to repaired.
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