Risks On Rails

[Passenger]

From Risks digest which is published by the Assocaition for Computing Machinery (of which I am a member).

http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/25.70.html#subj7

In 2004, a politically controversial decision was made to cease operations
of BCRail, and sell a 999 year lease to CN.

A section of the line near the town of Lillooet is known as one of the
longest continuous mountain grades in Canada. BCRail used dynamic brakes.

CN used air brakes, and confirmed this decision in early 2006, despite
concerns raised by employees.

On June 29, 2006, a train derailed on that section, and two employees died.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has now ruled that the failure was
caused by an inadequate braking system used in the steep mountain canyon.

...

Would it necessarily be the case that air-brakes are inadequate in such a situation? Or what other factors?

Thank you.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Here is a link to a recognized newssource regarding the 2006 Lillooet derailment incident:

http://www.canada.com/news/Inadequate+b ... story.html

I must say I am surprised to learn that CN assigned a locomotive without dynamic braking for service in that area.

I never got to ride the PGE Budd cars that provided passenger service until fairly "late in the game", but from those I knew along the way that did, I heard the route was "spectacular".