An alert gangman, who noticed a fracture on the track on the main line between Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Koil railway stations, stopped an express train, bound for Chennai, minutes before it was to cross the stretch, on Tuesday morning.
Sources in Government Railway Police and Southern Railway at Tambaram said Nagarajan of Chengalpattu (48) was on morning duty and inspecting the railway lines between Chengalpattu and Maraimalai Nagar.
Ahead of the level crossing at Peramannur (LC No. 45), he noticed a fracture on the main line towards Chennai. He informed his colleagues on duty at the level crossing and ran towards Chengalpattu direction, anticipating Sethu Express (towards Chennai) to cross the stretch in a few minutes.
On seeing the train approaching, he stood on the track and waved the red flag. The driver on seeing him slowed down, bringing the train to a halt well ahead of the fracture.
The incident took place at 7.40 a.m. Staff from Tambaram and Chengalpattu rushed to the spot and set right the problem around 8.45 a.m, after which the train left for Chennai. Express and passenger trains from Tiruchendur, Villupuram and Puducherry and even suburban electric trains towards Chennai Beach crossed the stretch at less than 10 km per hour, the sources added.
