Toy train mishap again.........

Toy train mishap again raises safety concerns

 KALKA/SHIMLA: After Saturday's accident that killed two foreigners, serious questions are being asked about the safety measures taken on the 112-year-old Kalka-Shimla heritage railway track, given that at least two serious accidents have taken place in the past seven years prior to this one.

The train started its journey from Kalka railway station at 12:45pm on Saturday and it derailed 10 minutes later. Despite the slow speed, the impact of the derailment was such that at least one of the passengers crashed into a glass window, shattered it, and was thrown out of the bogey.

His body was recovered from under the bogey ahead.

Sources added that the train may have gained a little speed on a curve not far from Kalka station, which may have caused the accident. Kalka station superintendent V K Arora said, "This train runs at a maximum speed of 28 km per hour with an average speed of 18 km per hour. We had the driver and guard medically examined for alcohol but they were clean."

Ambala divisional railway manager Dinesh Kumar who rushed to the spot said, "It's impossible to tell the exact reason for the derail right now but I have ordered an inquiry to find out the reason."

Shimla-based historian Raja Bhasin, who was accompanying the tourists to Shimla, said, "I had just finished my lecture and had occupied my seat when I suddenly heard a loud noise; and before we could understand what was happening, there were cries of injured people all over and two were dead."

The driver of the train, Dhan Singh, said, "I felt a sudden jolt on the curve and hit the breaks. I rushed to the derailed bogeys after %informing the authorities and took out some of the passengers with the help of the guard."