Loco engine derails during shunting at yard

A loco engine derailed during shunting at the Ernakulam Junction railway station yard on Thursday morning, after the loco pilot allegedly took it forward before receiving signal.

It took about two hours of effort to restore the engine back on track.

The engine that was being used for shunting derailed when the brake van of Ernakulam-Nilambur passenger train was being towed from one end to be attached to the other.

The engine derailed and fell into a trap – a pit into which wheels will fall into, if they derail, as the brake van was being taken from track six to track seven.

The derailment took place as the loco pilot took the engine forward before receiving the signal.

He was immediately placed under suspension and the Divisional Railway Manager has ordered a detailing inquiry into the incident.

Ernakulam Area Manager of Southern Railway R. Harikrishnan said that the shunting was on at very low speed.

“The brake van was intact though the shunting engine derailed,” he pointed out.

Train delayed

The Nilambur train was delayed by 90 minutes, while the Guruvayur-Ernakulam passenger was halted at Ernakulam Town station for nearly half an hour.