Train hits rock slide near the top of the Malahat

[enr2099]

On Saturday, January 10, 2004 VIA Rail Canada train 199, northbound E&N passenger train with RDC1 6135 struck a rock slide near milepost 16 on the Victoria Subdivision about 16 miles north of Victoria, BC The 6135 recieved major damage and will be shipped east for repairs, this leaves only one operational RDC on the E&N, the 6148. The 6135 was rebuild in February of 2003 and went into service in May. This stretch of track is prone to downed trees and rock slides, about 5 years ago, a southbound passenger train, led by RDC1 6133 struck a downed tree in the same area.

The line has been open since Tuesday, January 13 and RDC 6148 is handling the passenger loads. If the 6148 breaks down, it's buses for sure. Many people feel that the E&N should have track patrols ahead of the train, because of this incident.

[David3]

More bad news. Did the crewmembers survive?

[enr2099]

The crew survived, and no one was injured.

[enr2099]

This accident leaves VIA scrambling to find another RDC, especially if the 6135 is going to be out of service for a long period of time. Depending on how long the 6135 is out of service, VIA may send an RDC2 over from it's Sudbury-White River RDC route or lease the 6130 again from FarmRail.