CN representatives will be going door-to-door in Repentigny Thursday as they try to reassure anxious residents after trains resumed service just days following the weekend derailment.
In a post on Facebook Thursday morning, Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said the railway line reopened with authorization from federal authorities.
“A few trains have already run, and so far, everything appears to be proceeding normally,” Dufour said. “CN crews are continuing their on-site inspections, while City crews will remain on site to provide independent oversight of the situation.”
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He said that the company representatives will be visiting residents’ homes in the neighbourhood to explain what was done to restore the services and to answer their questions.
Many residents had expressed anxiety about trains running again on Wednesday just days after the derailment in which 46 cars derailed in a residential neighbourhood of La Gardeur in Repentigny.
In a statement Wednesday evening, CN said that the company was managing the resumption of the service in a “deliberate and phased process.”
“Before a single train movement resumed, crews completely rebuilt the track and track bed,” CN said.
The company added that the trains resumed at a reduced speed of 15 km/h, well below the regulated limit of around 80 km/h for freight trains.
“They will continue to run at significantly reduced speeds while additional work, inspections, and testing are being completed. As the track continues to perform as expected, speeds will be gradually increased followed by rigorous engineering assessments, including specialized track geometry and rail integrity testing, as well as an inspection by the regulator before normal operating speeds will be restored.”
On Wednesday, CN crews were clearing up huge piles of debris from the derailment. Federal authorities had said that no dangerous materials were leaked during the incident.
Dufour said that a community meeting will be held mid-August in which CN senior management could participate to answer resident questions.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board and the company.
“While it can take some time, CN will be conducting additional inspections over and above the requirements of the regulator until cause is definitively determined,” the company said. “Safety is our core value and we will not compromise on this.”
