New Train To Chennai Has A Short Journey

Just four days after the South Western Railway Zone created a special train for Chennai-bound passengers from Bengaluru, it has withdrawn it from service. This rake will now be sent to replace the train damaged in the derailment suffered on November 24.

In the accident that took place at Manikpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh, three passengers lost their lives and 13 out of 24 coaches of the Vasco Da Gama Express suffered extensive damages.An emergency replacement was required for the Vasco train. “We have been asked by our Headquarters (Hubballi) to send the new ‘Scratch rake’ (train created using available spares) to replace it. So, we sent it yesterday,” said a top railway official of the Bangalore Railway Division.Deputy General Manager of SWR, E Vijaya, confirmed that the ‘Scratch rake’ was taken yesterday from the Bengaluru Division to be converted into the Vasco Da Gama Express.

The new rake was introduced only on November 25 and its run from Bengaluru came to a halt of November 29. “The original plan was to be use it temporarily for 1.5 months until severe winter conditions disappear from North India,” a top railway official said. “Heavy fog made the Karnataka Express run late during winters. It is converted into Chennai Mail after it reaches Krantivira Sangolli Railway station. So, to remove the dependence on the Karnataka Express to run the Chennai train, we created a special train,” he added. Read More…

Chennai, South Western Railway Zone