Transport committee  I don't think the weight of the cars is necessarily a significant issue as long as the track is in good condition. If there is a rail defect, of course, the heavier the train rolling over it, the more likely it is to fail. Aside from that consideration, I would say that the len

Transport committee  Well, with VIA Rail, it's pretty understandable. The equipment is much lighter and the trains are much shorter. It's primarily the explanation for lower accidents on VIA Rail trains. Of course, the longer a train is, the heavier it is, and the more likely it is to have an acciden

Transport committee  I have no idea. I haven't worked since 1989. But at the time I was working, if I was called for a trip and I didn't want to make it because I felt unfit, it was basically no big deal. I worked a lot. I always worked when they wanted me and I felt that I was fit, which was most

Transport committee  Neither am I, but I can say—this just occurred to me—that before CN took over B.C. Rail, I'm not sure I ever heard of a derailment on B.C. Rail. They certainly seemed to be quite rare, if they had them at all.

Transport committee  It's possible, but there would have to be clear motivation to implement them, a motivation that I believe would have to be provided by an external source.

Transport committee  It may very well have been happening, but running trades employees wouldn't be privy to that kind of information. They're just sitting on...what used to be the caboose, waiting to leave the yard, and they aren't really aware of the activity taking place with the carmen regarding

Transport committee  My impression, just from what comes out in the papers, is there seems to be a lot more CN derailments than CP derailments. But again, I believe Mr. Rhodes was a CP engineer. Is that correct?

Transport committee  Anyway, when this accident happened in Trail, that actually made me wonder whether CP's commitment to safety is any greater than that of the CN management, because--

Transport committee  Yes. If that train could have been kept under control, if the locomotive had been equipped with dynamic brakes, not only would it have prevented the derailment, it would have saved somebody's life. I haven't yet been able to establish whether that locomotive did or did not have

Transport committee  Some people here may be aware of a recent RCMP investigation into police brutality regarding the Vancouver Police Department. The RCMP concluded that there have been a number of serious incidents of police brutality. Jamie Graham, the chief constable of the Vancouver Police Depar

Transport committee  I think what Todd was saying about reducing speed limits around work crews certainly should be taken into consideration. Generally speaking, I'm familiar with pretty much all the track in western Canada, with the exception of the track formerly owned by B.C. Rail, and my impressi

Transport committee  My full name is George Kosinski-Ritmeester, as I appended my wife's name when we got married. Railroaders of my day knew me as George Kosinski. I worked for CN for five years as a switchman, breakman, and conductor, and then for the next 10 years until my resignation in 1989, I