Sun Oct 13 05:16:02 UTC 2024: ## LHB Coaches Prevent Major Casualties in Chennai Train Derailment

**CHENNAI:** A near-tragedy was averted on Friday night when 12 coaches of the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derailed after colliding with a stationary goods train near Kavaraipettai station, 50 km north of Chennai. While the impact could have resulted in significant loss of life, the advanced features of the Linke-Hoffman-Busche (LHB) coaches prevented a major disaster.

According to authorities, the LHB coaches, designed and manufactured in India, possess three key safety features that minimized casualties despite over 1000 passengers onboard. These features include:

* **Anti-climbing couplers:** These strong couplers prevent coaches from climbing over each other during a collision, ensuring they scatter on the ground, reducing the risk of crushing.
* **Stronger integration:** The bogie and coach body are more securely integrated, providing enhanced stability and impact resistance.
* **Reinforced shell:** The coaches are built with a robust stainless steel shell and reinforced structure, minimizing crumpling or tearing in the event of a crash.

“If these had been older ICF-design coaches without the anti-climbing features, we could have witnessed a significant number of casualties,” remarked Shubhranshu, former Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.

While five of the 12 derailed coaches capsized due to the impact, the LHB design effectively absorbed the energy of the collision. Furthermore, the Bagmati Express’ electric locomotive collided with the goods train’s brake van, a hollow structure that effectively absorbed much of the impact, further reducing the force transferred to the passenger coaches.

Southern Railway officials and experts attribute the lack of fatalities to the combination of these advanced features, hailing the LHB coaches as instrumental in preventing a potential disaster.

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