Last Updated: February 26, 2024, 23:45 IST
The Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot allegedly failed to properly stabilize the rake, neglected to sign the stabling register, and departed without receiving the necessary memo.(Image: ANI)
The diesel locomotive-hauled goods train travelled over 70 kilometres from Kathua station in Jammu and Kashmir to a village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district without its drivers and gained a speed of nearly 100 km/hr along the way
The preliminary investigation into a rail incident reported on Sunday, where a freight train travelled over 70 kilometres without its drivers, has unveiled a series of protocol lapses, with critical safety measures overlooked.
The diesel locomotive-hauled goods train travelled over 70 kilometres from Kathua station in Jammu and Kashmir to a village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district without its drivers and gained a speed of nearly 100 km/hr along the way before it was finally stopped near Unchi Bassi railway station in Punjab with the assistance of sandbags.
The Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot allegedly failed to properly stabilize the rake, neglected to sign the stabling register, and departed without receiving the necessary memo.
Additionally, the station master neglected to stabilize the rake, while the Pointsman applied wooden wedges but failed to secure safety chains and hand brakes on six wagons at the rear end of the rake. Consequently, the freight train travelled for over 70 kilometres without any pilot or assistant loco pilot before finally halting at Unchi Bassi station in Punjab.
A joint note, seen by CNN News 18, attributes responsibility for the incident to the aforementioned four staff members. However, Indian Railway officials have yet to confirm or comment on the report.
What Actually Happened to the ‘Driverless’ Train?
According to the initial investigation, a Divisional Material Train (DMT) with 53 BOBYN Wagons was stationed at Kathua Station, with communication relayed to the Loco Pilot by the station master to take the rake to Pathankot cantonment.
The Loco Pilot refused the order citing the absence of a Brake Van (BV) and Train Manager/Guard (TM). Subsequently, he was instructed to power off, and a private number was exchanged between the station master and Loco Pilot as per protocol.
The Loco Pilot’s statement reveals that two wooden wedges were applied to both engines, with hand brakes of only three BOBYN wagons from the engine end and no hand brakes were applied from the rear end, contrary to protocols.
“The primary responsibility of the crew is to secure the load in such conditions, which they did not fulfil. Furthermore, the station staff, particularly the station master, had the duty to cross-check, which was also neglected in this case. Hence, the incident occurred,” stated a senior rail official.
Rake Traveled For 85 Minutes Without Crew
The consequences of these oversights led to the DMT rake rolling unmanned, supported by the downward gradient of the track. Reports indicate the rake reached a speed of 60-70 km per hour and came to a stop after 85 minutes.
“The section controllers and operation staff performed well in the scenario. They cleared the route and set points in such a way that the train travelled around 80 km safely,” reported an official from Northern Railways.
According to documentation, the DMT rake began rolling from the line due to a power shutdown and improper stabling by the crew. The station master on duty also failed to ensure proper stabling of the DMT.
As per regulations, the Pointsman should have applied safety chains and hand brakes to six wagons at the rear end of the train.
What Next?
Railway officials from both Northern Railways and Railway Board were contacted for comment but have not responded to messages or calls.
Sources indicate that the Ambala Division of Northern Railways has initiated a special 15-day counseling drive, after the incident, for Loco Pilots starting from Sunday until March 10, aimed at advising them on adhering to standard operating procedures (SOP) through Chief Loco Inspectors (CLIs).
