Montreal

Canada gives new Montreal, Maine and Atlantic owner green light

The company that took over partial control of the railway at the centre of last year's disaster in Lac-Mégantic has been given the green light to operate in Canada.

Canadian Transportation Agency grants certificate of fitness following review of liability coverage

A logo for Montreal Maine and Atlantic railway is shown on a MM&A locomotive engine. The sale of the embattled railroad at the centre of the deadly Lac-Mégantic train derailment was finalized in May. (Graham Hughes/CP)

The company that took over partial control of the railway at the centre of last year's disaster in Lac-Mégantic has
been given the green light to operate in Canada.

The Canadian Transportation Agency granted the certificate of fitness for railway operation to Central Maine & Quebec Railway today after determining it had adequate liability coverage.

Central Maine & Quebec Railway has so far taken over the U.S. operations of Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway.

The sale of MM&A's Canadian operations was pending upon approval of the operational fitness certificate.

A runaway Montreal, Maine and Atlantic train loaded with fuel oil careened into Lac-Mégantic in the wee hours of last July 6 and jumped its tracks, exploding into a massive fireball that destroyed much of the downtown core.

Forty-seven people were killed.