Another engine catches fire on Ranchi-Tori line

In yet another incident of fire on Ranchi- Lohardaga-Tori line, engine of an empty goods train caught fire early in the morning at Barkichampi station on Monday due to which the line remained disrupted for several hours.

Earlier, Ranchi - Lohardaga Passenger Train, connected for the first time with an electric engine on May 10, had also caught fire after the over head high tension wire fell over it at Nagjua Station, 47 km from here. “An empty goods train coming towards Lohardaga from Tori, caught fire between Barkichampi and Tori stations due to which movement of trains on the line was disrupted for over three hours,” said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Avinash Kumar.

The line, however, was immediately restored after the train was pulled back by another engine sent from Tori, he added.

“Following the incident, Additional Divisional Railway Manger Vijay Kumar has asked for a report so that the reasons behind the fire could be found out and action could be taken in this regard,” said the Senior DCM. No casualties took place during the incident, he added. 

Sources in Railways, however, said that the traction motor of the engine had caught fire which was immediately taken control by the Loco Pilots.  

Meanwhile, the passengers on board Ranchi Tori train annoyed with the delay, created ruckus at Barkichampi station after a decision was taken by the rail authorities to terminate the train and were not ready to get down of the train before reaching the destination. Finally, the authorities had to change their decision and the train was restored. 

Incidentally, electric engine fitted passenger trains on the  line are currently under suspension  after the a passenger train caught fire last month, but much to the disappointment of railway officials, even the diesel engine caught fire on Monday.

After electrification work was completed on Ranch-Lohardaga line, the new engine was being run on trial basis on May 10 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to flag it off from Dhanbad during his visit on May 25.

The electrification work on the Ranchi – Lohardaga line was started in March 2017 and was completed recently in March this year and is likely to cut short the distance between Ranchi to Delhi via Lohardaga – Tori by 106 km.