Trains resume in Repentigny as investigators work to determine derailment cause
Posted July 7, 2026 5:19 pm.
Last Updated July 9, 2026 2:36 pm.
The first train passed through Repentigny Wednesday morning, travelling slowly over the repaired section of track where CN railcars derailed just days earlier.
For many residents living along the railway, the return of trains marked progress in the cleanup. But it did not bring answers.
“I couldn’t believe it. I just, of course I didn’t experience it personally but the fact that it happened in my town, it’s always a horrific situation. People have to go through and have to live through that,” said one resident.
Another neighbour, who lives only a couple of houses from the tracks, recalled hearing the derailment Sunday afternoon.
“We were like two houses from here and we heard like a big noise. So after that, like 10 minutes after, we found some people like crying… the power went off for maybe almost a day.”
He said cleanup has gone well, but many residents are still waiting to understand what happened.
“We need maybe to know what’s the real reason of this incident.”
Federal investigators continue search for answers
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says it is too early to draw conclusions regarding what caused the derailment, which sent CN railcars off the tracks Sunday afternoon near the edge of the Le Gardeur neighbourhood in Repentigny, northeast of Montreal.
The southbound CN train was travelling from Joliette, Que., when it derailed around 5 p.m.
The TSB said no dangerous goods were released and no injuries were reported.
Investigators remain at the scene collecting information, including examining train handling, rolling stock and track conditions, reviewing inspection and maintenance records, analyzing locomotive voice and video recordings, and conducting witness interviews.
The agency said the information collected will help establish the sequence of events leading to the derailment and identify its causes, contributing factors and any safety deficiencies.
Crews restore rail service after days of cleanup
CN crews and contractors have spent the past several days clearing wreckage, removing damaged equipment and repairing the track.
The railway said there were no injuries, leaks or fires following the derailment.
CN added that railcars that had previously carried diesel fuel were empty at the time of the incident and have since been purged and removed from the tracks.
The company said trains would initially travel through the area at slower speeds — around 15 km/h, instead of the regulated 80 km/h — following the reopening of the track, followed by qualified inspections.
CN apologized for disruptions caused by the derailment and said the cause remains under investigation.
Jean-Marc Picotte, assistant director of operations with the Repentigny Fire Department, said CN crews brought equipment to the site shortly after emergency operations ended Sunday night to begin dismantling the derailed locomotives.
Picotte said there are no longer any locomotives remaining at the derailment site. He said crews then turned their attention to restoring the railway line.
“This morning, around 8:15, the first train passed through at a reduced speed under the supervision of CN personnel and city workers. The passage went smoothly.”
He added the the city has been monitoring the work closely, while recognizing that CN — as a federally regulated railway — is responsible for decisions about when trains can resume operations.
“It’s important to understand that this is a federal responsibility, and CN is king and master of the decisions. They decide when the train will pass. However, the city has been involved from the beginning. I would say we’re keeping a close eye on what’s being done.”
He said the city will also oversee repairs to municipal infrastructure damaged in the derailment.
“We have to remember that some of the infrastructure was damaged by the derailment. The city will ensure that the repairs are carried out properly, whether it’s the damaged bike path or all the approaches to the railway.”
Picotte also thanked residents living near the tracks for their patience during the cleanup.
“I know that a situation like this is quite exceptional. My thoughts are with the people who were near the railway tracks. I want to thank them for their resilience. The reason the work is progressing so smoothly is that it was carried out over 24 hours. So people were certainly inconvenienced by the noise. But they were very resilient.”
He said the city has also been in contact with Quebec’s Health Department to ensure psychological support is available to anyone who needs it.
“If people feel the need, they can simply call 811, option 2. And there will be psychological support available to help them through this event.”
Mayor says city will keep pushing for safety measures
Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour addressed the return of train traffic in a social media post Wednesday.
Dufour said the first train had just passed through the area and that CN crews were on site to assess the situation and make sure operations were carried out properly and safely. He added that City of Repentigny teams were also present.
He added that the city would remain vigilant and continue calling for safety measures, including regarding train speeds, until the final recommendations from the Transportation Safety Board investigation are released.
He also directed residents with questions to contact CN directly.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, CN said it recognizes concerns from Repentigny residents following the resumption of train service.
“CN recognizes and understands the concerns of citizens in Repentigny following the resumption of train service at the site of Sunday’s derailment. We want to reassure the community that safety remains our top priority,” the railway said.
CN said the cause of the derailment remains under investigation by both the railway and the Transportation Safety Board. While the investigation is ongoing, the company said it is currently focused on track and mechanical factors and will conduct additional inspections beyond regulatory requirements until the cause of the derailment has been definitively determined.
Residents say derailment brought back memories of Lac-Mégantic
For some residents, the derailment immediately brought back memories of another rail tragedy.
The incident happened one day before the 13th anniversary of the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster, which killed 47 people in 2013.
One resident said the tragedy remains in the minds of many people whenever a train derailment happens.
“We always have Lac-Mégantic tragedy in mind. And the government, the Canadian government hasn’t done anything to reroute the railroad. It’s still going through the town of Lac-Mégantic from what I heard on the news. And I guess they don’t value human lives. They need to do something, you know?”
She said some neighbours are reconsidering living so close to the tracks.
“Somebody said, you know, I think I’m going to move away from the railroad track. I think that I might want to do something like that.”
Another resident said seeing trains resume service has not eased all concerns.
“I think it’s too soon.”
Investigation continues
The Transportation Safety Board says investigators will continue documenting the site and analyzing information gathered during the assessment.
The agency says if it identifies a safety issue requiring immediate attention, it will communicate that information to the appropriate stakeholders before the investigation is complete.
