Quick-thinking loco pilot prevents mishap on Tamil Nadu passenger train

A potential mishap was averted on Saturday night at Chitteri railway station in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district when the loco pilot of the Arakkonam–Katpadi MEMU Passenger Train (No. 66057) responded swiftly to an unusual sound by bringing the train to a halt.

Eyewitnesses reported a loud noise shortly after the train had departed from Chitteri, sparking initial fears of a derailment.

Visuals from the site showed apparent track damage, further fuelling concern.

A senior police officer at the scene, however, confirmed there were no injuries or casualties.

Southern Railway has since clarified that no coaches were derailed, and the incident occurred on the Yard Road 1 loop line, a section already under a 20 kmph speed restriction due to ongoing maintenance precautions.

In an official statement, Southern Railway explained that the loco pilot stopped the train at 9:15 PM after detecting an abnormal sound. Upon inspection, a weld fracture on the track was discovered. Importantly, this defect had been previously identified and was already reinforced with joggle fish plates as a precautionary measure.

The train remained stationary for about an hour before the track was declared safe. It later resumed its journey through the same section. All train services in the area have since returned to normal, with no disruptions reported.

The incident briefly reignited safety concerns, as Chitteri had witnessed a tragic collision in 2011 that claimed 11 lives and injured over 70. However, this time, the alertness of the loco pilot and existing safety protocols ensured the situation was handled without incident.

Southern Railway reassured passengers that all appropriate safety mechanisms were in place and functioning effectively.