Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Railway Board Orders Probe Into Shatabdi Wet-Track Wheel Skid
On July 13, cattle appeared on the railway tracks near Rathdhana and Sonipat.
The driver of a New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi used the emergency brakes to avoid them.
The rails were wet, and one of the train’s WAP-5 locomotives skidded and was damaged.
The damaged locomotive was later replaced.
The Railway Board has asked RDSO to find out why the skid happened and suggest ways to prevent it.
Northern Railway will also check the fencing to learn how the cattle got onto the tracks.
The review will look at both braking safety and keeping animals away from railway lines.
A WAP-5 locomotive on the New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi skidded while braking on wet rails on July 13.
The loco pilot applied emergency brakes after cattle appeared on the track between Rathdhana and Sonipat.
The Railway Board directed RDSO to investigate the skid and recommend corrective measures.
One locomotive was replaced after significant damage, and an abnormal sound was detected in its frame.
Northern Railway was asked to examine fencing and determine how cattle entered the tracks.
- Who
- The Railway Board, RDSO, Northern Railway, and the crew of the New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express.
- What
- The Board ordered an investigation into a WAP-5 locomotive wheel skid during emergency braking on wet rails, and asked for a review of track fencing.
- When
- The incident occurred on July 13; the Railway Board discussed it at a meeting on July 22.
- Where
- Between Rathdhana and Sonipat in the Northern Railway zone.
- Why
- Cattle entered the track, prompting emergency braking; the Board wants to establish the cause of the skid and identify measures to prevent recurrence.
Questions under review
Areas of response
Wet-track braking
Questions under review
The cause of the WAP-5 wheel skid during emergency braking on wet rails has not yet been established.
Areas of response
RDSO has been asked to investigate and recommend technical, operational, or braking-practice measures and guidelines.
Cattle access to tracks
Questions under review
Cattle entered the line and triggered the emergency braking that preceded the locomotive damage.
Areas of response
Northern Railway has been asked to check fencing and determine why the animals were able to reach the track.
- Train
- New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express
- Incident date
- July 13
- Location
- Between Rathdhana and Sonipat, Northern Railway zone
- Locomotive
- WAP-5, operating with two locomotives in multiple-unit formation
- Trigger
- Cattle appeared on the track, leading the loco pilot to apply emergency brakes
- Investigation
- The Railway Board directed RDSO to study the skid and recommend corrective action
- Additional review
- Northern Railway was asked to examine fencing and how cattle accessed the tracks