The safety of customers and employees is OC Transpo’s top priority. There are multiple layers of safety built into the O-Train Line 1 system based on industry-best practices and reflected in all our processes and procedures.
As with any rail system, the O-Train Line 1 can experience unforeseen occurrences and service disruptions. In these instances, OC Transpo takes immediate and coordinated action, engaging Rideau Transit Maintenance, and other stakeholders and subject matter experts. As part of our standard practice, notification is provided to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
For more information on the TSB notification process, please consult tsb.gc.ca.
Below is a list of O-Train Line 1 TSB reportable collisions and derailments:
Occurrence type: Collision
While performing routine maintenance on O-Train Line 1 outside of revenue service hours, the maintenance team mounted a hi-rail snow blower (a vehicle modified to operate both on conventional roads and on railways) on track 1 between uOttawa and Lees stations. The blower portion of the unit was not mounted properly and slid off the rails shortly after it moved forward. There were no injuries but there was minor damage to the blower unit.
Occurrence type: Collision
While performing routine maintenance on Line 1 outside of revenue service hours near Tremblay Station, a hi-rail vehicle travelling in reverse made contact at low speed with another hi-rail vehicle. There were no injuries and there was minor damage both vehicles.
Occurrence type: Collision
While traveling at a low speed during a coupling procedure at the maintenance yard, a railcar mover made contact with a stationary LRV. There were no injuries and damage to the equipment was minimal.
Occurrence type: Collision
While traveling at a low speed during a coupling procedure at the maintenance yard, a railcar mover made contact with a stationary LRV. There were no injuries; one LRV headlight was damaged.
Occurrence type: Derailment
A piece of maintenance equipment used for working on the overhead catenary system derailed while traveling on the tracks at the maintenance yard. There were no injuries and damage to the equipment was minimal.
Occurrence type: Derailment
A piece of maintenance equipment for moving rail vehicles was mounted onto the tracks in the storage shed and travelled a short distance before sliding off the tracks. There were no injuries and damage to the equipment was minimal.
Occurrence type: Derailment
While performing maintenance on Line 1 outside of regular service hours, a hi-rail maintenance vehicle had its wheels come off the track. There were no injuries or damage to the tracks or maintenance vehicle.
Occurrence type: Damage
An eastbound train approaching Blair Station was taken out of service and parked safely at Blair Station. Alstom technicians inspected the stopped train at Blair Station which confirmed that a gearbox failed due to an inadequate amount of lubrication fluid in the unit.
Occurrence type: Collision
While performing routine maintenance on Line 1 outside of revenue service hours, a hi-rail vehicle lost traction while travelling westbound near Blair Station and made contact at low speed with another hi-rail vehicle and a piece of equipment being worn on a maintenance employee. There were no injuries and there was minor damage to the contacted vehicle.
Occurrence type: Collision
A railcar mover collided with a train car in the yard at a low speed. This resulted in minor damage to the train car.
Occurrence type: Derailment
Maintenance equipment travelling through the yard had wheels leave the track when it attempted to go over an area of snow accumulation. There is no evidence of damage to the track or to the railcar mover.
Occurrence type: Damage
Multiple trains experienced power issues in the east end of the line due to ongoing cold temperatures. It was later determined that 5 vehicles had damage to the pantographs and required replacement.
