New Delhi/Lucknow, Nov 24 (IANS): The Jammu-Patna Archana Express' engine detached from the train in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district thrice within a span of three hours on Friday while on its way to the Bihar capital, though there was no untoward incident, officials said.

A Railway Ministry official said the engine of the train, that began its journey from Jammu Tawi, was finally replaced, but not before it was delayed for a couple of hours.

The first decoupling occurred around 2.30 a.m. when it passed Sarsawa town. After the engine was recoupled with the train it commenced its onward journey at 3.17 a.m.

However, the engine again got detached near Pilakhni around 4.25 a.m. The process of recoupling was repeated and the train moved again at 5.10 a.m., but there was another decoupling at 5.35 a.m.

"After consultations with senior divisional railway officers, a new locomotive was provided to ensure the problem did not recur," the official said. The train later resumed its journey without a hitch.