Train Moves Without Driver, Chased On Bike By Staffer In Filmy Style

Kalaburagi: An electric train engine took off on its own without its loco pilot over a distance of 13 kilometres from Wadi station in Karnataka. In true filmy style, a staff member chased the runaway engine on a bike, jumped on to it and brought the train to a stop.

The Mumbai-bound train which started from Chennai reached Wadi on Wednesday afternoon around 3 pm, where its electric engine had to be replaced by a diesel one. As it turns out, the Wadi-Sholapur segment has not yet been electrified.

The electric engine which was disengaged took off after loco pilot got off and even as he was looking on, starting moving. As a stunned loco pilot looked on, the Wadi station authorities alerted the next few stations to clear the signals and tracks.

To prevent any possible mishap, trains coming from the opposite direction were also stopped, the officials said. As the electric engine ran, the railway staff gave a chase to it on a motorbike, managed to board it when it slowed down and stopped it near Nalwar but not before it had cruised for about 13 kms.

It was not exactly known how the electric engine began to move, the officials said, adding, an inquiry by a special team was underway. (Sakshipost with inputs from PTI)