Lac-Mgantic recommendations on DOT-111 tanker cars followed, says TSB

Canada's Transportation Safety Board has given a positive grade to the federal government for its response to recommendations made following last Julys train derailment and explosion inLac-Mgantic, Que.

The TSB made three recommendations in January:

• Review the use of DOT-111 tanker cars.
• Strategic route planning and safer operations for trains carrying dangerous goods in Canada.
• Emergency response assistance plans along routes where large volumes of liquid hydrocarbons are being shipped.

The train that derailed and exploded inLac-Mgantic, killing 47 people, was carrying 72 DOT-111 tanker cars of crude oil.

Since the recommendations were made by theTSB, bothCNandCPannounced they would be phasing out their older DOT-111 tanker cars.

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TSBchairwoman WendyTadrossaid Transport Canada is leading the way by ordering the cars to be phased out or retrofitted within three years.