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Yesterday, Transport Canada announced it’s requiring Canadian National Railway Co. to continue to meet several safety requirements during the next 60 days while operating trains on a Squamish, British Columbia, route.

CN recently completed a 60-day period during which the railroad had to abide by operational requirements instituted by Transport Canada in mid-December because of safety concerns raised by three derailments that occurred in summer and fall. No accidents have occurred since the agency imposed the requirements.

Transport Canada will allow CN to increase the length of distributed power-operated northbound trains from 99 cars to a maximum of 114. However, conventionally operated northbound trains on the Squamish route still will be restricted to 80 cars.

CN must continue to pose restrictions on how empty cars are handled, ensure distributed power is working properly, reduce the number of stops, and employ special stall and emergency-stop procedures, Transport Canada said. In addition, a CN supervisor must train any new crew member working on the route.

Transport Canada inspectors will continue to monitor trains on the route to ensure compliance with the Railway Safety Act, the agency said.