THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The engine of Chennai Mail (train number 12624) on Friday got detached from the bogies near Kochuveli station here creating panic. The incident occurred at 2.50 pm barely 15 minutes after the train left Trivandrum Central Railway station. The Railways has ordered an internal inquiry into the incident.
Railway engineers who rushed to the spot reattached the engine and the train soon resumed its journey. Railway officers said all passengers were safe and the detachment was due to a problem which occurred during coupling. A joint report by the loco pilot and guard has been submitted.
A Railway officer said the issue could not be considered as a major safety lapse. It had replaced conventional coaches with more secure Linke Hofmann Busch(LHB)coaches a year ago in Chennai Mail. While traditional coaches are connected using hook and screw, LFB coaches have better safety as it uses Centre Buffer Coupling mechanism. Even at high speeds or during collision this mechanism provides better safety, according to a Railway officer.