CHENNAI: An empty coach of the Podhigai Express derailed at Chengalpattu railway station on Friday evening while the train was en route to Chennai Egmore for its scheduled night service.

The train, which operates between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai, had arrived at Chengalpattu in the morning for routine cleaning and maintenance.

As per standard procedure, it was stationed at platform 5 of the railway station.

Around 6 pm, while the empty rake was being moved back to Chennai Egmore, one of the coaches derailed after its wheels slipped off the track.

The loco pilot brought the train to an immediate halt, and railway staff and officials arrived to inspect the situation.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the derailment occurred due to the failure to release the sending lock before initiating movement.

Following the incident, railway officials detached the affected coach and proceeded to operate the train with the remaining 22 coaches.

The train later departed for Egmore without further issues.

Since the incident took place on a maintenance platform and no passengers were on board, there were no casualties.

Train services remained unaffected.

A departmental inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the derailment, officials said.