Video: Vande Bharat Express Breaks Down Mid-Journey, Old Engine Pulls Train

Etawah: Passengers aboard the Vande Bharat Express, traveling from Delhi to Varanasi, were left stranded for several hours on Monday after the train experienced a traction failure. The incident occurred near Bharathana railway station in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, leading to major disruptions along the route.

Railway authorities reported that the Vande Bharat Express came to an unexpected halt shortly after crossing Bharatna station at around 8:50 am. Despite efforts by engineers to resolve the technical issue, the train could not be restarted, leaving approximately 750 passengers stranded. The breakdown also caused delays for other trains, including the Shatabdi Express and Neelanchal Express, which were halted as a result.

Many social media users and media reports are erroneously calling it as an engine failure. However it may be noted that Vande Bharat Express trains do not have engines like conventional trains, instead, they are powered by traction motors placed in alternate coaches. The entire train powers itself and hence this incident was a traction failure rather than an engine failure.

A video of the old Indian Railways engine pulling the modern Vande Bharat train has surfaced online and quickly gained traction on social media, showcasing the efforts taken to resolve the situation.

Old Engine Rescues Vande Bharat Express Train After engine failure Mid-Journey In UP; Passengers Stranded For Hours
byu/Kuhn__ inindianrailways

To clear the tracks and restore rail traffic, an old Indian Railways freight engine was dispatched from Sarai Bhupat station. The old engine successfully towed the Vande Bharat train off the main line and onto a loop line at Bharathana station, allowing other trains to pass. The main track was cleared by 12:10 pm, bringing an end to the disruption.

Passengers, already affected by the delay, reportedly faced further discomfort when the train’s air-conditioning system stopped working following the engine failure. Some of the passengers were transferred to alternative trains, including the Shatabdi Express and the Ayodhya-bound Vande Bharat, which transported them to Kanpur. From there, arrangements were made for onward travel to Varanasi via the Shram Shakti Express.

The incident caused delays for several trains along the busy Delhi-Howrah route, but services resumed as normal later in the day. Rail authorities are investigating the cause of the engine failure to prevent future occurrences.