A surprising revelation emerged following a major disruption on the North East Superfast Express traveling from Anand Vihar to Kamakhya: the train engine failed due to being overloaded with two tonnes of eggs beyond permissible capacity. The unexpected incident brought the entire train to a halt and caused massive delays, with the Delhi rail route remaining blocked for nearly seven hours on June 4.
According to railway sources, the train—numbered 12506—had been carrying cargo in the SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coach that far exceeded its load-bearing limit. The coach in question was cleared to carry up to four tonnes of goods, but ended up with a load nearing seven tonnes, almost double its threshold. This included an unusually heavy consignment of eggs, loaded in special trays packed tightly into boxes, causing severe imbalance.
Technical Failure Due to Load Mismanagement
The excessive load resulted in a mechanical failure of the engine, particularly when it attempted to accelerate from a halt. According to maintenance crews, the SLR’s load imbalance triggered engine traction issues, leading to overheating and a shutdown of critical components. As a result, the train was stuck for several hours, creating a ripple effect across the route.
Railway officials confirmed the incident during routine checks on the stalled locomotive. The consignment was meant for delivery in Bihar, but poor handling and failure to adhere to weight protocols caused widespread disruption.
