No engine, no driver, 6 km journey: Seven empty train coaches roll away from Tamil Nadu yard, derail near Tirupattur

Seven empty railway coaches reportedly rolled away unattended from a railway yard in Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district and travelled nearly six kilometres before derailing near Thamaleri Muthur. The incident disrupted train services on the Bengaluru-Chennai route and triggered an emergency response from railway authorities. The coaches had reportedly been stationed at the coach maintenance yard at Jolarpettai Junction. Railway officials alerted their counterparts at different locations to stop trains approaching Jolarpettai from Bengaluru to prevent a possible collision. According to an ANI report, a major accident was averted after the gatekeeper on duty heard an unusual noise from the derailed coaches and immediately informed railway authorities.

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Seven empty coaches roll away from Jolarpettai railway yard

According to preliminary information, the seven empty coaches were kept at the coach maintenance yard for repair-related work. They were reportedly pushed by an engine but were allegedly not secured properly or brought under control by railway staff.


The coaches then started moving on their own, crossed the railway yard limits and travelled nearly six kilometres along the Bengaluru-Jolarpettai main railway route before derailing near Thamaleri Muthur.

The incident raised an alarm among railway officials, who took steps to stop trains approaching the junction from Bengaluru.

Railway authorities launch clearance operation after derailment

Following the incident, railway personnel reached the spot and began work to remove the derailed coaches from the main track.

Gas-cutting equipment was used to separate the connecting portions of the coaches, while JCB machines were brought in to move them away from the railway tracks.

The operation was aimed at clearing the affected section and restoring normal train movement.

Bengaluru-Chennai train services affected after incident

The derailment disrupted train services on the busy Bengaluru-Chennai route, with several trains reportedly delayed.

Jolarpettai Junction is an important railway hub in Tamil Nadu, with 16 railway tracks and one of Asia's largest railway yards. The incident affected passenger movement on an important route connecting Bengaluru and Chennai.

Jolarpettai train derailment raises railway safety concerns

The incident has raised questions about safety procedures at the Jolarpettai railway yard, particularly the steps taken to secure coaches kept for maintenance work.

The circumstances in which the seven coaches began rolling without an engine and travelled nearly six kilometres are also likely to come under scrutiny.

Passengers and members of the public have called for a detailed inquiry into the incident and action if negligence is established.


Inputs from ANI