Oct 14 1989. Morning around 1245, kerala Express was given green signal to roll out from Kollam Jn to NDLS. Me and my Partner Mr Ranganathan were in charge of the loco and we were given caution order at 28 km to 30 km. for which the speed limit was 5 kmph. we were speeding up at 50kmph till 27km and then Mr Ranganathan LP ordered me to lower the speed and to make it 10 that we can reduce the speed to 5 on entering the 28km post. Speed was reduced and train moved at 10 when we entered the bridge the speed was reduced to 4 kmph and the Kerala Express mighty rolled slowly over the perumon / Ashtamudi Kayal .
The...
more...

scene was heartfelt and still fresh in my mind. The boggies were kept aside on the nearby banks. people were still around the 9 boggies of Island Express that had fallen off the bridge which is said caused by an unknown tornado. The train of 16 boggies slowly rolled of the bridge to the 30 km post and then it speeded up.
Kerala express was the first train that rolled out of Perumon bridge after the tragedy and me and my Senior Ranganathan Sir were in charge of it.
I still remember the incident clearly in my mind.. One of which still haunts me in my life... The terror Ashtamudi bridge smiles at each locos that pass by it and Only it became a grave of 8 boggies of Island Express.
Pic is from the net.