Short circuit in coupler delays Chennai–Mumbai express by an hour

CHENNAI: Rail passengers aboard the Chennai – Mumbai (Train no 12164) superfast express were in the grip of fear briefly at Vyasarpadi station after an alleged fire (minor) broke out in the electric link between the power car and locomotive.

Around 30 minutes after the train started for Mumbai from Dr MGR Chennai Central at 6.20hrs, smoke bellowed out and sparks flashed in the under gear between the locomotive and the power car in the front end of the train at Vyasarpadi Jiva station.

Video captured by eyewitnesses showed thick black smoke billowing out of the coach and sharp flashes of fire from beneath the train.

Passengers, who caught a glimpse of the smoke and fire emanating from the train halted a few minutes after its departure, were seen jumping out of the coaches and rushing to the rear.

A few anxious passengers even boarded an EMU occupying the track along the express line.

Inquiries revealed that the electric coupler between the power car and locomotive suffered a short circuit, triggering billows of smoke and sharp sparks. Divisional railway officials, in a clarification issued after near a couple of hours, denied fire and said, "Fire did not emanate and only smoke was reported from HOG connector between loco and power car of Mumbai Express near Vasarpadi Railway Station at 18.50 hrs. The smoke emitted due to trouble in the HOG coupler. It was immediately attended on the spot and the train resumed journey at 19.15 hrs."

The train left Vyasapardi Jiva station around 7.15pm. At the time of filing of the news around 8.53pm, the Mumbai bound train was 9kms ahead of Puttur, running late by 57 minutes.