TSB sending investigators after CN train derailment west of Edmonton

Federal transportation investigators are heading to central Alberta to examine a Canadian National Railway derailment that sent dozens of rail cars off the tracks west of Edmonton.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it is deploying a team after 37 loaded train cars derailed Thursday near the hamlet of Wildwood, roughly 110 kilometres west of the provincial capital. The site is along a CN main line that carries a mix of freight through rural communities in the region.

CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski said preliminary information indicates the cars were loaded, but the company has not yet confirmed what commodities were being transported. She added there have been no reports of leaks involving dangerous goods, no fires, no injuries and no risk to the surrounding public.

The Transportation Safety Board said investigators will assess the circumstances surrounding the derailment, including track conditions, equipment, and operating practices. Findings from the investigation could lead to safety recommendations for rail operations across Canada.

Rail safety has remained a focus for federal regulators and local communities, particularly in Alberta where freight trains regularly pass near small towns, farms and energy-related infrastructure. Previous TSB investigations have emphasized the importance of track maintenance and monitoring as rail traffic continues to grow.