Title - Train pilot sees crack in time,averts accident

Trichy: A train accident was averted just in time on Saturday when a loco pilot of the Vaigai Express bound for Chennai from Madurai noticed a crack on the track near Mannaparai.
According to sources,a rail over-bridge-cum-subway was being constructed for vehicles at the Ranga Vilas railway gate near Manapparai.However,due to the recent spell of rain,construction along the subway was stopped.Since the soil in that area had eroded and the ballast having fallen into the subway,the fishplates on the track started becoming visible underneath.
On Saturday,the Vaigai Express,which passes along the route at 8.15am,was about to cross the stretch and had slowed down due to the speed restriction.The loco pilot suddenly noticed a small crack next to a fish plate that prompted him to stop the train a few metres before the spot.He alerted the railway authorities who came to repair the stretch.The welding work was completed in 20 minutes.The Vaigai Express finally reached Trichy station at 9.30am after a 30-minute delay.