TRANSCAER® Safety Train retires after nearly 30 years

After nearly three decades of providing a unique backdrop for municipalities, emergency responders and residents to learn about the transportation of dangerous goods from TRANSCAER members, TRANSCAER’s safety train, the CCPX911, was officially retired on March 28.

Upon arrival in Windsor, Ontario for one of the first TRANCSAER outreach events of 2018, an inspection identified a fatal crack on the tank car that could not be repaired.

The TRANSCAER Safety Train is a railway tank car that was converted into a classroom on wheels in 1990 to train emergency responders. It was the first training car of its kind in Canada – a concept that has since been adopted by other organizations across North America and around the world.

The safety train travelled across Canada, making stops in communities where dangerous goods travel. By travelling to communities, TRANSCAER established partnerships between manufacturers, distributors, carriers, emergency responders, government agencies and residents – an important first step in preparing for any transportation emergency.

CIAC, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) and their members and partners were responsible for creating and maintaining the CCPX 911 over the years. The CIAC owned the CCPX 911 until three years ago when it was transferred to the RAC.

Committee members will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss next steps for evolving the safety train program. Stay tuned for an update.

More on the Safety Train’s last event in Windsor, Ontario.

A short video on TRANSCAER and the launch of the safety train