[1] The train consisted of 106 cars that carried multiple chemicals and explosives, including styrene, toluene, propane, caustic soda, and chlorine.

On the 33rd car, heat began to build up in an improperly-lubricated journal bearing on one of the wheels, resulting in the condition known among train workers as a "hot box".

Residents living beside the tracks reported smoke and sparks coming from the car, and those who were close to Mississauga thought the train was on fire.

As the flames were erupting, the train's brakeman, Larry Krupa, 27, at the suggestion of the engineer (also his father-in-law),[2] managed to close an air brake angle spigot at the west end of the undamaged 32nd car, allowing the engineer to release the air brakes between the locomotives and the derailed cars and move the front part of the train eastward along the tracks, away from danger.

"[2] After more explosions, firefighters concentrated on cooling cars, allowing the fire to burn itself out, but a ruptured chlorine tank became a cause for concern.

As a result of the accident, rail regulators in both the U.S. and Canada required that any line used to carry hazardous materials into or through a populated area have hotbox detectors.

[7] "Trainwreck 1979," a 2014 rock single by Canadian band Death From Above 1979, is about the derailment: It ran off the track, 11-79 While the immigrants slept, there wasn't much time The mayor came calling and got 'em outta bed They packed up their families and headed upwind A poison cloud, a flaming sky, 200,000 people and no one died And all before the pocket dial, yeah!