On Nov. 3, 2024, a Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway (QNS&L) freight train was traveling south toward Sept-Îles, Quebec, on the Wacouna Subdivision when seven cars derailed on the main track near Saumon Station. About 250 feet of track was damaged. There were no injuries and no environmental damage, according to the TSB report (download below).
The investigation determined that “the train separated into two sections after the yoke, a part of the coupler assembly, on the second car failed. Following the separation, the two sections of the train collided, causing the east rail to roll over, leading to the subsequent derailment.”
Post-occurrence examination, according to the report, “found that the yoke had internal porosity in a high-stress area.” This porosity, the TSB says, was not detected during manufacturing, as the Association of American Railroads (AAR) does not require non‑destructive testing for couplers. The in-train forces before the failure were found to be within AAR specifications.
