On Oct. 15, incoming trains were halted for about an hour near Boyle after a woman high-centred her truck on train tracks near Millar Western.
On Oct. 15, incoming trains were halted for about an hour near Boyle after a woman high-centred her truck on train tracks near Millar Western.
Boyle RCMP Constable Matt Lapointe said the driver accessed the railway via a CN service road that runs parallel to the railway line. The driver was picking up her husband, a contractor who was building new railway siding just south of Boyle.
"Apparently she went in there to pick her husband up, and then decided she was going to take a shortcut when she left and ended up hung up on the tracks," said Lapointe.
He said he believed the spot where she crossed will be a crossing for internal use for Millar Western and was never meant to be a public crossing. He noted that there was not even a real crossing in place yet as the stretch of tracks -a siding to the main line -is still being built.
"They've just put in the actual railway ties between the tracks," he said. "It's just basically railway tracks with wood between them."
Boyle RCMP called CN Police immediately.
"As soon as there's anything on the tracks, we automatically notify CN Police," said Lapointe. "They automatically stop any train that could potentially end up on that line."
Though no trains were slated to run on that stretch of line, any in proximity had to be stopped, said Lapointe, adding, "There were live trains on the main line."
The tracks were cleared within an hour with the help of a local tow truck and CN crews.
Warren Chandler, CN's regional manager for public and government affairs in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, said he had not heard about the incident.
He noted in general, "Every rail crossing that is there has safety markings, and that's governed by Transport Canada."
As for whether there would be markings or warnings on the crossing in question, which was under construction, Chandler said, "I can't confirm that at this time."
A press release issued by Boyle RCMP stated, "RCMP are reminding the public to only cross railway lines at designated marked crossings, and to immediately notify police if you see anything that may affect the safe operation of trains."
