The 2696 Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai superfast train was nearing Bhagalpatti station in neighbouring Dharmapuri district around 7 am when the driver noticed the boulder on the track.
He immediately applied the emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt, they said.
The driver then informed the Salem Railway Division authorities who rushed to the spot and removed the boulder with the help of passengers.
(Published 08 October 2010, 16:55 IST)