The Hindu : Front Page : Empty train overshoots buffers

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Monday, Aug 01, 2005

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Empty train overshoots buffers

Staff Reporter

OUT OF CONTROL: The brake van of Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express, which rammed a compound wall in Madurai on Sunday. — PHOTO: S. JAMES

MADURAI: : The empty rake of the Hazrat Nizammuddin-Madurai Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express overshot the buffer and rammed a compound wall near the eastern entrance of the railway station here on Sunday. The rake protruded precariously over the thoroughfare. No one was injured.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. when the empty train was being rolled back to the yard. Passengers and railway employees heard a screeching noise followed by a loud thud. The last vehicle ploughed into the compound wall and came close to the no-parking zone.

Because of a down gradient, the rolling stock gained momentum and could not be halted. A similar incident occurred in the same place six months ago. "The shunting was done properly with a points-man piloting the rake from the rear. Though the train was moving at stipulated speed, it gained momentum suddenly. An enquiry has been ordered," a senior railway official told The Hindu .

The train arrived here early on Saturday and was being backed after routine maintenance. A special team of engineers was engaged in restoration.

The official said normal traffic and shunting operations were not affected. There would be no change in the running of the Madurai-Hazrat Nizammuddin Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express, scheduled to leave here on Monday.

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