New coupling in long-distance WR trains to prevent mishaps

Mumbai: To prevent coaches from colliding in case of derailment at high speeds, Western Railway (WR) has started using coupler technology in long-distance trains plying to and fro Mumbai.

A coupler holds two coaches together. Until now, most long-distance trains used screw-coupling where two flat tops were attached to the end of a rod such that if the train stopped suddenly, the two flat tops would meet and keep the coaches from crashing into another.

Explaining the advantage of the same, an official said, “Screw-coupling basically pulls other coaches forward in the event a train derails which is bad because coaches pulled from the back would ram into each other, causing further damage, injuries, and even deaths. Centre-Buffer coupling has a big advantage in this scenario as it comes apart in case of derailment.” Consequently, the number of fatalities and injuries goes down. WR has ordered this coupling for almost 50 per cent of its long-distance coaches. Currently, only Rajdhani, Duranto and Shatabdi mail express trains under WR use Centre-Buffer coupling. WR runs more than 40 long-distance services every day.

WR chief PR officer Ravindra Bhakar said, “The decision was taken by railway board and we are currently waiting for the exact cost. The process will take a few more months.”