a. "The prestige of Southern Railway, 2639 Brindavan Express pulls out of Platform 3 at Central...". Then, the old gentleman goes on to add another one thousand words to make his story complete with an arrival at Bangalore City.
b. A 10-year old boy watches a puny YAM-1 with an equally puny load of Rameswaram Passenger through the Market gate at Saidapet, on a daily basis, from a rickshaw loaded with school children in the mornings. Evenings are filled up with watching YAM-1 hauled Chengalpattu Passenger, Kanchipuram I and Kanchipuram II along with Nellai Express and Quilon Mail in the same LC.
c. A distant, melodious, heavenly twin-tone of a WAM-4 hauling Chennai or Brindavan or Kovai or Saptagiri fills the ears of a boy travelling in a horse-cart (jadkaa) at Tiruninravur, when going to the Bakthavatsala Perumal temple after a ride in the gundu-electric train.
Now, what is a+b+c?
Ans: A rail-fan in me!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Friday, April 6, 2007
A Sonnet on RF
Some people have an interest in car racing
Some ponder over coin collection
Surprise! There is a vintage wood-work collection
Further some in deep sea diving.
Travels to capture temple towers
Here we have one who loves mountains
Brows rise for decorative pumpkins
High regards for those who follow choppers.
But when it comes to my own hobby
There are only steel plates and numbers
Offers more than a television!
Wonder why you have a turn-down lobby
Hearing stories on blood red monsters?
After all, it is just my passion.
Some ponder over coin collection
Surprise! There is a vintage wood-work collection
Further some in deep sea diving.
Travels to capture temple towers
Here we have one who loves mountains
Brows rise for decorative pumpkins
High regards for those who follow choppers.
But when it comes to my own hobby
There are only steel plates and numbers
Offers more than a television!
Wonder why you have a turn-down lobby
Hearing stories on blood red monsters?
After all, it is just my passion.
Getting Bathed in the Donkey Brown Dust of Renigunta : A day in the Deccan Plateau
Warning: Rail stuff!
Ashwanth and I went to RU this Saturday (Sept. 9, 2006). Trip details are as follows:
1. The trip:
2164 Chennai Central (MAS) - Dadar (DR) Express from MAS to Renigunta Jn. (RU)
440 Ongole - Tirupati (TPTY) Passenger from RU to TPTY
Bus from TPTY to RU
6011 CSTM - MAS Express from RU to MAS.
2. Platforms at MAS:
Well, the trip started with a treat of Wappies. As we entered MAS, we decided to board the first UR compartment of 2164. The reason -- (i) the UR compartment at the last might get crowded with last minute rush boarding the train and (ii) Chance to see all the locos - incoming and standing ones. It worked. We were welcomed by a party of wappies (WAP-4) from the southern sheds of AJJ (Arakkonam Jn.) , ED (Erode Jn.) and LGD (Lallaguda). The following locos were spotted:
* Pf 1 - Circar Express hauled in by WAM-4 20623 BZA (Vijayawada Jn.) in its standard uniform - what a beauty! This train was later shunted out to Basin Bridge Jn. (BBQ) yard by a granny, WDS-6 36021 TNP (Tondiarpet). Pretty long train with usual Blue coaches and one dark blue compartment at the last.
* Pf 2 - Empty
* Pf 2A - BZA Jan Shatabdi Express with WAP-4 22646 AJJ in the lead.Waiting to depart.
* Pf 3 - WAP-4 22255 ED with Alappuzha - MAS Express. It would have just arrived -- the crowd from that platform was high.
* Pf 4 - WAP-4 22559 ED had arrived with Mangalore (MAQ) - MAS Mail.
* Pf 5 - WAP-4 22354 LGD entered with 2754 Hyderabad (HYB) - MAS Express
* Pf 6 - Navajivan Express had arrived with WAP-4 22358 ED. This train was later shunted by another granny WDS-6 36022 TNP to BBQ.
* Pf 7 - WDM-3A 16603 GTL (Guntakal Jn.) with the rake of 2164. Waiting for 0700 starter. This is only diesel hauled daily train from MAS and is one of the four diesel hauled trains in Perambur (PER) - AJJ section, the others being GTL diesel hauled Chennai Egmore (MS) - Kacheguda (KCG) Express, KJM hauled Vasco-da-Gama / Hubli Weekly Expresses.
* Pf 8 - Light loco WAP-4 22370 ED
* Pf 9 - Unknown Express
* Pf 10 - WAP-4 22568 ED hauled Cheran Express
* Pf 11 - Poor 2639 Brindavan Express - at last this erstwhile 'prestigious' train is bullied to Pf 11 along the stinky Buckingham Canal with WAP-4 22548 ED at the lead. Happy that this ignored train is not asked to start from Pf 14.
3. MAS - AJJ section:
The starter went off exactly at 0700 hours. The diesel hero whistled a sweet high tone announcing the departure. The train pulled out slowly from the platform and had a snake like crawl from one line to another to catch the line to Basin Bridge Jn. The home signal at BBQ was an amber with the top right feathers lit. What an impressive shot to look at!! To our left side (West) was the Salt Cotours Goods Shed where two WAG-5HBs from Jhansi shed were 'busy' idling! (24049 and unknown). A WDS-4B from TNP shed (19221) had taken the honours of shunting an empty BCNA rake to the siding. The two WAGs were standing like a hungry tiger ready to pounce on a puny rabbit. Just as the train entered the fast lines, it accelerated a bit. One thing was very clear at that point of time -- It is going to be smokes, smokes and more smokes all the way. The Assistant Pilot looked like a determined person - not to take his hand from the horn unless he finds it very boring. It was smokes and horn all the way through the wires.
The loco of Grand Trunk Express was 22219 - again a WAP-4 from ED. Just as we were nearing BBQ, Tamilnadu Express was patiently waiting for the outer signal to go off, with WAP-4 22287 ED at the lead. The loco looked like as if we were the main reason that it was put on hold! I could very well see a stiff face on the wappy. No smiles, only compressor sound (like an angryface) just to show us that we were the culprits :). Our loco came to full power just past BBQ. A unit on slow line towards MAS meant a looonnng horn for us - virtually the horn lasted from Basin bridge (the bridge, not the station) to the point where one can clearly see the lines coming from Washermanpet and Korrukkupet. Vyasarpadi Jiva is the point where all trains, irrespective of age, gender etc. pick up speed on their way to Arakkonam Jn. (AJJ). Our train was no exception - it was a swift travel upto Pattabiram. The entire Perambur would heard the horn of the Guntakal loco: reason - trespassing.We spotted WDS-4* 19220 TNP and WDM-7 11007 TNP near Villivakkam. 11007 is in Ernakulam Jn. (ERS) livery. Another interesting thing that caught our attention was a CBC rake - 0623* series.
A 6-car rake from Anna Nagar (ANNG) to Chennai Beach Jn. (MSB) entered Villivakkam Pf 1. ANNG trains normally have 3-car rakes only. Twin WAM-4 with a leading AJJ - 21258 and a trailing AJJ - 21350 near Ambattur in the sleeper sidings was the only loco to be spotted during our stretch upto Tiruninravur (TI - which was crossed at 0730 hrs with ease), where trespassing near the Level crossings made the Asst. Pilot even more happier! WAP-4 22248 ED with Thiruvananthapuram (TVC) superfast express entered the loop line at Avadi, towards MAS. This loco has a pair of blue colour spectacles and has the number marking like Kanpur (CNB) WAP-4.
I believe 2164 is the only train to change from Fast lines to slow lines well before Tiruvallur (TRL). I have seen many times this train entering slow lines just past Pattabiram. Can anyone confirm this?We spotted a loco-less BCNA rake at TI, another loco-less container rake just past TI and WAG-5HA 23245 AJJ with a BTP-N rake near Putlur. Reached TRL by 0745 - this station saw a high-speed pass by as our 2164 just whizzed past. A cream-blue-cream MEMU was on the MAS line. An unknown express flew past with WAP-4 22274 ED at the helm near Kadambattur (KBT).WAG-7 27736 KZJ in blue livery was in Thiruvalangadu loop line with a BCNA rake. Only KZ were visible -- J was not painted at all.After a beautiful run of 65 minutes, we reached AJJ at 0805 hrs with a unit and a BCNA rake to welcome us there.
4. AJJ-RU stretch:
There is no halt for 2164 at AJJ - so, the uninterrupted run (well, lots of people entrained and detrained as it was crawling at some 15 kmph) continued with spottings of WAG-5HA 23783 AJJ, 'Barbie Doll' WAM-4 21319 AJJ (light) and a pair of RDSO/MoR Spurt Cars belonging to NR (# 8152 and 8153) at AJJ. Then it was a slow snake like entry to the branch line towards RU.
Spottings:
* Blue WAG-7 27759 NKJ with a BCNA rake came towards AJJ in the curve.
* Blue WAG-7 27472 ED with BCNA near Tiruttani (TRT)
* WAM-4 21232 AJJ with an unknown Express just after Tiruttani
* Beautiful C curve after Ponpadi station
* WAG-5 23957 NKJ with MU-ed 23913 NKJ with a BCNA rake before Vepagunta (VGA)
* Blue WAG-7 27607 NKJ with a BCNA rake at VGA
We were made to enter the loop line at VGA as a tiger WAG-7 27384 KZJ was waiting in the main line with a BOX-N load. It was 0845 and the pilot was trying to make up the lost time by having a higher notch in the section where an up gradient kept the AJJ line at bay. It looked as if the two lines had a fight between them and were keeping distance between them, sometimes playing Hide and seek!Finally the halt came at Pudi - one station before RU. A late running Sapthagiri made us wait at Pudi. We were able to see AJJ-RU passenger waiting in the loop at the station. The line was under Absolute Block. So, we estimated a minimum wait of 15 minutes and it did happen. The time was 0900 hrs. The outer signal went off to an amber at 0912. We entered Pudi platform only to stop there! The passenger had WAM-4 21336 AJJ as the leading loco and WAM-4 21275 AJJ in Barbie Doll livery as the trailing loco. The advanced starter and starter went off at 0925 hrs and we finally entered RU and South Central Railway borders at 0945 hrs.
5. RU - Forenoon session:
RU had its own treat of freight electrics to welcome us. This feast was like an oasis in that desert - literally, the scorching sun, as early as 0930 hrs, was hot like a sun!!! As we entered the junction, we spotted two WAG-5s from BSL (Bhusawal Jn.) shed - 23606 and 23503. There was also one Pa-Ma-Re WAG-5 23608 from TKD (Tughlakabad) waiting with a BCNA load. We were received in Pf 1 (the eastern-most). To our left was Saptagiri Express going towards TPTY from Pf 2. Synchronised application of brakes paved the way for a smooth sailing entry into the platform. As if the train was in a hurry, the starter turned amber with 'M' light on above the signal marker at 0935 hrs. M - means the Main line to Cuddapah (HX) and B means the branch line to Gudur Jn. (GDR). The diesel finally started at 0940 with a crew change. As dutiful railfans, we were under a duty to thank the Pilot and his Assistant for giving us an audio-visual treat, and we did! He was surprised to see our enthu for trains and was really happy in meeting us. I made a point to record the horn in my mobile - as there was no interruptions of gentle breeze, unlike recording it in a moving train. It lasted six seconds. In a shortwhile, the longest running train entered the same platform from AJJ side. Yes, it was the Himsagar Express! WAM-4 21266 AJJ was doing the duties. Personally, I was happy to see to that train after a big gap of exactly 20 years! It was in the Dusshera season of 1986 (I was six years old then!) that I travelled in that train from ERS to TVC in a jam packed unreserved compartment. Let us travel in time again to 2006 -- We had a light tiffin at the VLR stall and went to Pf 2 to check the 100+ pictures and a dozen videos that we took and we heard an announcement in Telugu, Hindi and English that TPTY-MAS Express will be arriving on Pf 2.Frankly, we felt that we were in the state of AP only after that :). The announcement had something similar to "mari kodhdhi se patlo" for "in another few minutes". The train arrived with a MEMU type driving cab at the front and a trailing-live WAM-4 20508 AJJ in Saptagiri livery. The starter turned amber with M - light lit. This M means the mainline to AJJ and B represents Branch line to TPTY. Just as the train left with a loud horn announcing its departure (may be, it was feeling sad to leave us there at RU), we saw an unusual combo coming in -- WAP-4 22594 LGD with WAM-4 20535 ET. This WAM-4 was in the new WAM-4 livery of BSL shed. These were just doing a sight seeing of Renigunta junction and were not there when we came back. A (usual, duh!) long BCNA rake was hauled by tiger WAG-7 27384 KZJ onto Pf 4. Our plan was to take the 1330 MAS express and we had a full two hours in our hand. Economics came into play - "Economics is a science which deals with human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses" - Prof. Lionnel Robbins must have been a rail fan: Ends - Insatiable want of railfans - 'more trains'; Scarce means - Time; Alternative uses - Try a trip to Tirupathi!!!!!
As the eyes swiftly browsed the TT of Southern Region, the Ongole - TPTY passenger was made a perfect fit as the alternative use. We bought a ticket to TPTY and boarded the Passenger. It was hauled into Pf 2 at 1130 by WAM-4 21277 BZA in its uniform. Another long pending wish of myself got quenched - To travel in a BZA WAM-4 hauled train.The train started at 1140 hrs and was actually occupying the roads of Pf 2, 3 and 4 along with the loop line to TPTY at the point where it was crossing the LC after RU. A GY (Gooty Jn.) liveried WDM-3A 14034 of GTL shed came in with a milk van and a SL compartment in tow. Had the diesel did not give a huge cry of warning with its melodious twin tone, there would have been names of atleast three to five persons in the Obit. column of RU local newspapers that evening.
Sharp curves marked all the way upto TPTY. Majestic view of the Eastern Ghats was distracted only by another melody - the twin tone of the BZA hero. The train entered Pf 3 of TPTY station at 1155 hrs hauling a mixed load containing five milk wagons and 10 compartments. We took a bus back to RU after quenching our throat-thirst with a Pineapple juice in a hotel opposite the old bus stand.
6. RU - Afternoon Session:
WDM-2 17476 KJM was shunting a rake for POH (at CRS) in Pf 4. The other end was shunted by the same old 14034. Tiger WAG-7 27460 ED arrived with a BCNA rake on Pf 3. This loco went all the way with the load to the point where the KZJ tiger was standing. After taking some pictures with the WDM-3A, we decided to challenge the hot sun and venture north of the platforms. It was rewarding. We were able to capture both the tigers standing side-by-side with their loads in one frame. They were amazingly sparkling clean! GDR - TPTY passenger arrived on Pf 2 (as we were venturing out in Pf 3 / 4) with WAM-4 20446 BZA in the lead. It was a 5-coach train with SLR in the middle. As we were heading north, the main line to HX and branch line to GDR were clearly visible.
Other spottings:
* Blue WAG-7 27657 LDH (Ludhiana Jn.) with BOX-N rake from HX
* Stationary MU-ed WAG-5HAs from AJJ - 23773 and 23806 (towards HX)*
Blue WAG-7 22667 LDH with a freight rake
* Stationary normal WDG-3A 14570 KTE (Katni Jn.) in pit line off Pf 1 / 2 (HX side)
* Five Milk wagons - one was covered with wet cloth
* Power for 6011 - WAM-4 20536 AJJ in pit line off Pf 1 / 2 (AJJ side) with LED onAs we wrapped up our proceedings at RU, we saw 6011 coming at a distance with GY liveried WDM-3A 14023 GTL diesel as the power. The train arrived on Pf 1 at 1330 sharp. The scheduled departure was at 1345 hrs. But there was a delay in the loco change and finally, the train decided to leave the Eastern Ghats and the valleys of the Deccan Plateau by 1405 hrs - a 20-minute delay.
7. The Return Journey:
Spottings:
* Barbie Doll WAM-4 23007 AJJ with a BCNA rake near Vepagunta
* WAM-4 20663 AJJ with 6012 CSTM Express near Vepagunta
* Twin WAG-5s 23503 and 23606 AJJ with BCNA rake near Vepagunta
* An ASN (Asansol Jn.) WAG-5 with BCNA rake at Nagari
* WAG-5HA 23743 AJJ with a freight rake near Ponpadi station
* AP / TN border at around milepost # 90/5
* Saptagiri liveried WAM-4 20508 AJJ as the trailer-live in TPTY Express just before TRT
* Blue WAG-7 27270 CNB with a BOX-N rake near AJJ loop
* Twin WAG-5s from AJJ - 23781 and 23709 with BTPN rake near AJJ
* WAG-7 27028 MGS at AJJ
* WDM-7 11011 TNP with an empty passenger rake in the platform for CGL (Chengalpattu Jn.) bound trains
* CBE (Coimbatore) Intercity Express with WAP-4 22255 ED near Manavur
* Twin WAG-5s of JHS shed (23052 and unknown one) after Senji Panambakkam
* Twin WAG-5s of BZA shed (23770 and 23649) with BCNA rake in suburban train platform at TRL (Thiruvallur)
* WAM-4 21300 AJJ with an unknown express before TI
* Lalbagh Express with an unknown WAP-4 near Annanur
* Tiger WAG-7 27489 ED at Korattur (with BCNA??)
* Tiger WAG-7 27392 ED in slow line near Perambur with BOX-N rake - must be coming from Salt Cotours!
* WAM-4 20578 AJJ with Mangalore Express near Vyasarpadi curve. This train was in new BSL livery
* WAG-7 27736 KZJ at BBQ* WDS-4 19228 TNP at BBQ
* WAM-4 21259 AJJ with TVC Superfast Express near Elephant Gate overbridge
* WAM-4 21235 AJJ with MAS-TPTY-MYS (Mysore Jn.) Garudathri Express at MAS outer
Platform Spottings at MAS:
Pf 11 WAP-4 22565 ED
Pf 10 WDS-4B 19323 TNP
Pf 9 WAP-4 22354 ED
Pf 6 WAP-4 22557 ???
Pf 3 WAP-4 22294 ED - had arrived with Navjivan Express.
8. Time Keeping:
Wonder how we were able to note down all the numbers and other stuff -- It was due to a fact that our camera batteries were about to die (we had a few spares, though) and Ashwanth had made a resolution not to touch his camera! Frankly, he must have got fed up with my tortures like. "ayyo - there is an interesting loco coming in, Ashwanth - please leave me the door and let me take the picture!!" :) He managed to record the performance of his favourite loco, the AJJ WAM-4. He is a full-time WAM-4 fan and a diesel part-timer. Here are the excerpts from his notebook:
Place - Time - Distance from MAS
RU 1403 - 134
RU outer 1406 - 133
Pudi 1415 - 125
Taduku 1431 - 117
Puttur 1438 - 111
VGA 1443 - 105
E.Kuppam 1452 - 97
Nagari 1454 - 95
Ponpadi 1500 - 88
TRT 1507 - 81
AJJ 1528 - 68
TRL 1554 - 40
TI 1604
AVD 1610
PER 1625
BBQ 1625
MAS outer 1635
MAS 1645.
The WAM-4 was made to start 20 minutes late and it arrived 21 seconds before time!!! The distance / time chart revealed that this loco had hauled us at more than 100 kmph in certain stretches in the down gradients.
9. Moral of the Story!!
The trip was nothing short of being an excellent one.This trip will remain in our memories and cherish our brains in the years to come...I thought of writing something like that -- it would be a routine ending.
A rail fan's journeys should not come to an end. His wants are insatiable. Typically, this trip ended with lots of donkey brown dust on our head and diesel smoke in violet-black colour in our face.Needless to say that it invited attention of all those who were travelled in the unit from MPK (Chennai Park) to Saidapet (SP). For us, they were the marks of victory and complete satisfaction. So, no moral of the story for this one. Let us hope to see many such trip reports in the months to come.
Thanks for your patience in reading this long note. We decided to keep it short and crisp, but this is what we managed to paint at the end.
Many thanks to Ashwanth for his inputs and proof-reading.
Ashwanth and I went to RU this Saturday (Sept. 9, 2006). Trip details are as follows:
1. The trip:
2164 Chennai Central (MAS) - Dadar (DR) Express from MAS to Renigunta Jn. (RU)
440 Ongole - Tirupati (TPTY) Passenger from RU to TPTY
Bus from TPTY to RU
6011 CSTM - MAS Express from RU to MAS.
2. Platforms at MAS:
Well, the trip started with a treat of Wappies. As we entered MAS, we decided to board the first UR compartment of 2164. The reason -- (i) the UR compartment at the last might get crowded with last minute rush boarding the train and (ii) Chance to see all the locos - incoming and standing ones. It worked. We were welcomed by a party of wappies (WAP-4) from the southern sheds of AJJ (Arakkonam Jn.) , ED (Erode Jn.) and LGD (Lallaguda). The following locos were spotted:
* Pf 1 - Circar Express hauled in by WAM-4 20623 BZA (Vijayawada Jn.) in its standard uniform - what a beauty! This train was later shunted out to Basin Bridge Jn. (BBQ) yard by a granny, WDS-6 36021 TNP (Tondiarpet). Pretty long train with usual Blue coaches and one dark blue compartment at the last.
* Pf 2 - Empty
* Pf 2A - BZA Jan Shatabdi Express with WAP-4 22646 AJJ in the lead.Waiting to depart.
* Pf 3 - WAP-4 22255 ED with Alappuzha - MAS Express. It would have just arrived -- the crowd from that platform was high.
* Pf 4 - WAP-4 22559 ED had arrived with Mangalore (MAQ) - MAS Mail.
* Pf 5 - WAP-4 22354 LGD entered with 2754 Hyderabad (HYB) - MAS Express
* Pf 6 - Navajivan Express had arrived with WAP-4 22358 ED. This train was later shunted by another granny WDS-6 36022 TNP to BBQ.
* Pf 7 - WDM-3A 16603 GTL (Guntakal Jn.) with the rake of 2164. Waiting for 0700 starter. This is only diesel hauled daily train from MAS and is one of the four diesel hauled trains in Perambur (PER) - AJJ section, the others being GTL diesel hauled Chennai Egmore (MS) - Kacheguda (KCG) Express, KJM hauled Vasco-da-Gama / Hubli Weekly Expresses.
* Pf 8 - Light loco WAP-4 22370 ED
* Pf 9 - Unknown Express
* Pf 10 - WAP-4 22568 ED hauled Cheran Express
* Pf 11 - Poor 2639 Brindavan Express - at last this erstwhile 'prestigious' train is bullied to Pf 11 along the stinky Buckingham Canal with WAP-4 22548 ED at the lead. Happy that this ignored train is not asked to start from Pf 14.
3. MAS - AJJ section:
The starter went off exactly at 0700 hours. The diesel hero whistled a sweet high tone announcing the departure. The train pulled out slowly from the platform and had a snake like crawl from one line to another to catch the line to Basin Bridge Jn. The home signal at BBQ was an amber with the top right feathers lit. What an impressive shot to look at!! To our left side (West) was the Salt Cotours Goods Shed where two WAG-5HBs from Jhansi shed were 'busy' idling! (24049 and unknown). A WDS-4B from TNP shed (19221) had taken the honours of shunting an empty BCNA rake to the siding. The two WAGs were standing like a hungry tiger ready to pounce on a puny rabbit. Just as the train entered the fast lines, it accelerated a bit. One thing was very clear at that point of time -- It is going to be smokes, smokes and more smokes all the way. The Assistant Pilot looked like a determined person - not to take his hand from the horn unless he finds it very boring. It was smokes and horn all the way through the wires.
The loco of Grand Trunk Express was 22219 - again a WAP-4 from ED. Just as we were nearing BBQ, Tamilnadu Express was patiently waiting for the outer signal to go off, with WAP-4 22287 ED at the lead. The loco looked like as if we were the main reason that it was put on hold! I could very well see a stiff face on the wappy. No smiles, only compressor sound (like an angryface) just to show us that we were the culprits :). Our loco came to full power just past BBQ. A unit on slow line towards MAS meant a looonnng horn for us - virtually the horn lasted from Basin bridge (the bridge, not the station) to the point where one can clearly see the lines coming from Washermanpet and Korrukkupet. Vyasarpadi Jiva is the point where all trains, irrespective of age, gender etc. pick up speed on their way to Arakkonam Jn. (AJJ). Our train was no exception - it was a swift travel upto Pattabiram. The entire Perambur would heard the horn of the Guntakal loco: reason - trespassing.We spotted WDS-4* 19220 TNP and WDM-7 11007 TNP near Villivakkam. 11007 is in Ernakulam Jn. (ERS) livery. Another interesting thing that caught our attention was a CBC rake - 0623* series.
A 6-car rake from Anna Nagar (ANNG) to Chennai Beach Jn. (MSB) entered Villivakkam Pf 1. ANNG trains normally have 3-car rakes only. Twin WAM-4 with a leading AJJ - 21258 and a trailing AJJ - 21350 near Ambattur in the sleeper sidings was the only loco to be spotted during our stretch upto Tiruninravur (TI - which was crossed at 0730 hrs with ease), where trespassing near the Level crossings made the Asst. Pilot even more happier! WAP-4 22248 ED with Thiruvananthapuram (TVC) superfast express entered the loop line at Avadi, towards MAS. This loco has a pair of blue colour spectacles and has the number marking like Kanpur (CNB) WAP-4.
I believe 2164 is the only train to change from Fast lines to slow lines well before Tiruvallur (TRL). I have seen many times this train entering slow lines just past Pattabiram. Can anyone confirm this?We spotted a loco-less BCNA rake at TI, another loco-less container rake just past TI and WAG-5HA 23245 AJJ with a BTP-N rake near Putlur. Reached TRL by 0745 - this station saw a high-speed pass by as our 2164 just whizzed past. A cream-blue-cream MEMU was on the MAS line. An unknown express flew past with WAP-4 22274 ED at the helm near Kadambattur (KBT).WAG-7 27736 KZJ in blue livery was in Thiruvalangadu loop line with a BCNA rake. Only KZ were visible -- J was not painted at all.After a beautiful run of 65 minutes, we reached AJJ at 0805 hrs with a unit and a BCNA rake to welcome us there.
4. AJJ-RU stretch:
There is no halt for 2164 at AJJ - so, the uninterrupted run (well, lots of people entrained and detrained as it was crawling at some 15 kmph) continued with spottings of WAG-5HA 23783 AJJ, 'Barbie Doll' WAM-4 21319 AJJ (light) and a pair of RDSO/MoR Spurt Cars belonging to NR (# 8152 and 8153) at AJJ. Then it was a slow snake like entry to the branch line towards RU.
Spottings:
* Blue WAG-7 27759 NKJ with a BCNA rake came towards AJJ in the curve.
* Blue WAG-7 27472 ED with BCNA near Tiruttani (TRT)
* WAM-4 21232 AJJ with an unknown Express just after Tiruttani
* Beautiful C curve after Ponpadi station
* WAG-5 23957 NKJ with MU-ed 23913 NKJ with a BCNA rake before Vepagunta (VGA)
* Blue WAG-7 27607 NKJ with a BCNA rake at VGA
We were made to enter the loop line at VGA as a tiger WAG-7 27384 KZJ was waiting in the main line with a BOX-N load. It was 0845 and the pilot was trying to make up the lost time by having a higher notch in the section where an up gradient kept the AJJ line at bay. It looked as if the two lines had a fight between them and were keeping distance between them, sometimes playing Hide and seek!Finally the halt came at Pudi - one station before RU. A late running Sapthagiri made us wait at Pudi. We were able to see AJJ-RU passenger waiting in the loop at the station. The line was under Absolute Block. So, we estimated a minimum wait of 15 minutes and it did happen. The time was 0900 hrs. The outer signal went off to an amber at 0912. We entered Pudi platform only to stop there! The passenger had WAM-4 21336 AJJ as the leading loco and WAM-4 21275 AJJ in Barbie Doll livery as the trailing loco. The advanced starter and starter went off at 0925 hrs and we finally entered RU and South Central Railway borders at 0945 hrs.
5. RU - Forenoon session:
RU had its own treat of freight electrics to welcome us. This feast was like an oasis in that desert - literally, the scorching sun, as early as 0930 hrs, was hot like a sun!!! As we entered the junction, we spotted two WAG-5s from BSL (Bhusawal Jn.) shed - 23606 and 23503. There was also one Pa-Ma-Re WAG-5 23608 from TKD (Tughlakabad) waiting with a BCNA load. We were received in Pf 1 (the eastern-most). To our left was Saptagiri Express going towards TPTY from Pf 2. Synchronised application of brakes paved the way for a smooth sailing entry into the platform. As if the train was in a hurry, the starter turned amber with 'M' light on above the signal marker at 0935 hrs. M - means the Main line to Cuddapah (HX) and B means the branch line to Gudur Jn. (GDR). The diesel finally started at 0940 with a crew change. As dutiful railfans, we were under a duty to thank the Pilot and his Assistant for giving us an audio-visual treat, and we did! He was surprised to see our enthu for trains and was really happy in meeting us. I made a point to record the horn in my mobile - as there was no interruptions of gentle breeze, unlike recording it in a moving train. It lasted six seconds. In a shortwhile, the longest running train entered the same platform from AJJ side. Yes, it was the Himsagar Express! WAM-4 21266 AJJ was doing the duties. Personally, I was happy to see to that train after a big gap of exactly 20 years! It was in the Dusshera season of 1986 (I was six years old then!) that I travelled in that train from ERS to TVC in a jam packed unreserved compartment. Let us travel in time again to 2006 -- We had a light tiffin at the VLR stall and went to Pf 2 to check the 100+ pictures and a dozen videos that we took and we heard an announcement in Telugu, Hindi and English that TPTY-MAS Express will be arriving on Pf 2.Frankly, we felt that we were in the state of AP only after that :). The announcement had something similar to "mari kodhdhi se patlo" for "in another few minutes". The train arrived with a MEMU type driving cab at the front and a trailing-live WAM-4 20508 AJJ in Saptagiri livery. The starter turned amber with M - light lit. This M means the mainline to AJJ and B represents Branch line to TPTY. Just as the train left with a loud horn announcing its departure (may be, it was feeling sad to leave us there at RU), we saw an unusual combo coming in -- WAP-4 22594 LGD with WAM-4 20535 ET. This WAM-4 was in the new WAM-4 livery of BSL shed. These were just doing a sight seeing of Renigunta junction and were not there when we came back. A (usual, duh!) long BCNA rake was hauled by tiger WAG-7 27384 KZJ onto Pf 4. Our plan was to take the 1330 MAS express and we had a full two hours in our hand. Economics came into play - "Economics is a science which deals with human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses" - Prof. Lionnel Robbins must have been a rail fan: Ends - Insatiable want of railfans - 'more trains'; Scarce means - Time; Alternative uses - Try a trip to Tirupathi!!!!!
As the eyes swiftly browsed the TT of Southern Region, the Ongole - TPTY passenger was made a perfect fit as the alternative use. We bought a ticket to TPTY and boarded the Passenger. It was hauled into Pf 2 at 1130 by WAM-4 21277 BZA in its uniform. Another long pending wish of myself got quenched - To travel in a BZA WAM-4 hauled train.The train started at 1140 hrs and was actually occupying the roads of Pf 2, 3 and 4 along with the loop line to TPTY at the point where it was crossing the LC after RU. A GY (Gooty Jn.) liveried WDM-3A 14034 of GTL shed came in with a milk van and a SL compartment in tow. Had the diesel did not give a huge cry of warning with its melodious twin tone, there would have been names of atleast three to five persons in the Obit. column of RU local newspapers that evening.
Sharp curves marked all the way upto TPTY. Majestic view of the Eastern Ghats was distracted only by another melody - the twin tone of the BZA hero. The train entered Pf 3 of TPTY station at 1155 hrs hauling a mixed load containing five milk wagons and 10 compartments. We took a bus back to RU after quenching our throat-thirst with a Pineapple juice in a hotel opposite the old bus stand.
6. RU - Afternoon Session:
WDM-2 17476 KJM was shunting a rake for POH (at CRS) in Pf 4. The other end was shunted by the same old 14034. Tiger WAG-7 27460 ED arrived with a BCNA rake on Pf 3. This loco went all the way with the load to the point where the KZJ tiger was standing. After taking some pictures with the WDM-3A, we decided to challenge the hot sun and venture north of the platforms. It was rewarding. We were able to capture both the tigers standing side-by-side with their loads in one frame. They were amazingly sparkling clean! GDR - TPTY passenger arrived on Pf 2 (as we were venturing out in Pf 3 / 4) with WAM-4 20446 BZA in the lead. It was a 5-coach train with SLR in the middle. As we were heading north, the main line to HX and branch line to GDR were clearly visible.
Other spottings:
* Blue WAG-7 27657 LDH (Ludhiana Jn.) with BOX-N rake from HX
* Stationary MU-ed WAG-5HAs from AJJ - 23773 and 23806 (towards HX)*
Blue WAG-7 22667 LDH with a freight rake
* Stationary normal WDG-3A 14570 KTE (Katni Jn.) in pit line off Pf 1 / 2 (HX side)
* Five Milk wagons - one was covered with wet cloth
* Power for 6011 - WAM-4 20536 AJJ in pit line off Pf 1 / 2 (AJJ side) with LED onAs we wrapped up our proceedings at RU, we saw 6011 coming at a distance with GY liveried WDM-3A 14023 GTL diesel as the power. The train arrived on Pf 1 at 1330 sharp. The scheduled departure was at 1345 hrs. But there was a delay in the loco change and finally, the train decided to leave the Eastern Ghats and the valleys of the Deccan Plateau by 1405 hrs - a 20-minute delay.
7. The Return Journey:
Spottings:
* Barbie Doll WAM-4 23007 AJJ with a BCNA rake near Vepagunta
* WAM-4 20663 AJJ with 6012 CSTM Express near Vepagunta
* Twin WAG-5s 23503 and 23606 AJJ with BCNA rake near Vepagunta
* An ASN (Asansol Jn.) WAG-5 with BCNA rake at Nagari
* WAG-5HA 23743 AJJ with a freight rake near Ponpadi station
* AP / TN border at around milepost # 90/5
* Saptagiri liveried WAM-4 20508 AJJ as the trailer-live in TPTY Express just before TRT
* Blue WAG-7 27270 CNB with a BOX-N rake near AJJ loop
* Twin WAG-5s from AJJ - 23781 and 23709 with BTPN rake near AJJ
* WAG-7 27028 MGS at AJJ
* WDM-7 11011 TNP with an empty passenger rake in the platform for CGL (Chengalpattu Jn.) bound trains
* CBE (Coimbatore) Intercity Express with WAP-4 22255 ED near Manavur
* Twin WAG-5s of JHS shed (23052 and unknown one) after Senji Panambakkam
* Twin WAG-5s of BZA shed (23770 and 23649) with BCNA rake in suburban train platform at TRL (Thiruvallur)
* WAM-4 21300 AJJ with an unknown express before TI
* Lalbagh Express with an unknown WAP-4 near Annanur
* Tiger WAG-7 27489 ED at Korattur (with BCNA??)
* Tiger WAG-7 27392 ED in slow line near Perambur with BOX-N rake - must be coming from Salt Cotours!
* WAM-4 20578 AJJ with Mangalore Express near Vyasarpadi curve. This train was in new BSL livery
* WAG-7 27736 KZJ at BBQ* WDS-4 19228 TNP at BBQ
* WAM-4 21259 AJJ with TVC Superfast Express near Elephant Gate overbridge
* WAM-4 21235 AJJ with MAS-TPTY-MYS (Mysore Jn.) Garudathri Express at MAS outer
Platform Spottings at MAS:
Pf 11 WAP-4 22565 ED
Pf 10 WDS-4B 19323 TNP
Pf 9 WAP-4 22354 ED
Pf 6 WAP-4 22557 ???
Pf 3 WAP-4 22294 ED - had arrived with Navjivan Express.
8. Time Keeping:
Wonder how we were able to note down all the numbers and other stuff -- It was due to a fact that our camera batteries were about to die (we had a few spares, though) and Ashwanth had made a resolution not to touch his camera! Frankly, he must have got fed up with my tortures like. "ayyo - there is an interesting loco coming in, Ashwanth - please leave me the door and let me take the picture!!" :) He managed to record the performance of his favourite loco, the AJJ WAM-4. He is a full-time WAM-4 fan and a diesel part-timer. Here are the excerpts from his notebook:
Place - Time - Distance from MAS
RU 1403 - 134
RU outer 1406 - 133
Pudi 1415 - 125
Taduku 1431 - 117
Puttur 1438 - 111
VGA 1443 - 105
E.Kuppam 1452 - 97
Nagari 1454 - 95
Ponpadi 1500 - 88
TRT 1507 - 81
AJJ 1528 - 68
TRL 1554 - 40
TI 1604
AVD 1610
PER 1625
BBQ 1625
MAS outer 1635
MAS 1645.
The WAM-4 was made to start 20 minutes late and it arrived 21 seconds before time!!! The distance / time chart revealed that this loco had hauled us at more than 100 kmph in certain stretches in the down gradients.
9. Moral of the Story!!
The trip was nothing short of being an excellent one.This trip will remain in our memories and cherish our brains in the years to come...I thought of writing something like that -- it would be a routine ending.
A rail fan's journeys should not come to an end. His wants are insatiable. Typically, this trip ended with lots of donkey brown dust on our head and diesel smoke in violet-black colour in our face.Needless to say that it invited attention of all those who were travelled in the unit from MPK (Chennai Park) to Saidapet (SP). For us, they were the marks of victory and complete satisfaction. So, no moral of the story for this one. Let us hope to see many such trip reports in the months to come.
Thanks for your patience in reading this long note. We decided to keep it short and crisp, but this is what we managed to paint at the end.
Many thanks to Ashwanth for his inputs and proof-reading.
Beware
Happened to see the movie 'Rhythm' yesterday for the nth time. I noticed a logical error this time. The train that Aravind and Jo travelled (should be probably Blue Mountain Exp. because Aravind was returning from Coonoor and Jo boarded at TUP) was hauled by none other than our blue-coloured grand old lady WDS-4B from Tondiarpet shed. The loco of the train that came and hit our train was also another WDS-4B shunter from TNP. Can't our movie makers get a WDM-2 or a WAP-4??
For junta who cannot u/stand the abve paragraph...shunter engines are used only to push or pull empty rakes (train compartments) between the shed and the platforms. You can see them doing their duties at Chetput / Egmore and Basin Bridge Jn. / Central sections (Photo attached -- Took with thanks from http://www.irfca.org/). It is illogical that they are shown to haul Blue Mountain. This is like saying my son is studying LKG in Loyola college. Moral of the story: People should be able to distinguish between a shunter and a passenger loco, at the minimum!!
2639
When it comes to "what is your favourite train?" for a railfan, fetching an answer for that question is generally tough. My choice is none other than 2639 - Brindavan Express from MAS to SBC.
Pleasant memories of 2639 being hauled by a WAP-1 (? AJJ) upto JTJ and the loco change that happens there....twin WDM2x (Mostly ED - sometimes KJM?) - not to forget the typical green liveried coaches with a yellow stripe near the windows, starting from PF3 at MAS and entering PF1 at SBC as if that platform was built only for it to occupy in the chill afternoons of Bangalore (C shaped platform)....watching the loco change near the loco and getting into the first compartment as the train moved towards the Deccan Plateau towards Somanayakkanpatti, then coming to our compartment through the vestibules (as if it was a heroic act)...
The coffee at AJJ, Idli vada masalaaaa (a stretched!) dosai at KPD, Opening our meal parcels at JTJ, a Frooti at Kuppam station, masala vadai and cakes (what a combination?!?!) at BWT and an icecream near KJM - those are THE memories that I recollect whenever I think of 2639. btw - Walking to the pantry and getting stuff is reserved for elders!
Loud horn of the electric engine ruled until it crossed the suburban Madras gaining faster acceleration after KPD and a slow snake-like entry to one of the left most platforms at JTJ. If I remember correctly, SA bound trains used to take the Northern platforms while SBC bound trains take the southern ones at that time.The thick smoke (that those twin diesels emit) that comes and hits your face as he climbs up the hill, meandering through sharp and gentle C curves, U curves of the valleys of the Deccan, combined with the distant shrill and long honks of those diesels along with the gaba gaba gaba sound of accelerating engines, the typical WDM 'on-off-again on' pattern of acceleration of the throttles of those Alco diesels, sandy dry hills of the deccan, slight drizzle as it pulls out of Kuppam station (which again is a C curve).....crossing state express at JTJ - or eagerly waiting for it to reach JTJ, if it is late! --- I feel as if I am taken through a time travel to April end, 1989.
Finally, the C curves between BNC and SBC mixed with the frequent dond-dong-dong girder sounds at the bridges....It is a different, mesmerising experience altogether. hmmmmm....I wish I had a camera and a camcorder! I would have travelled fifteen times till date...each experience is a treat to relish.
GO 2639!!!
P.Ses:
1. I hate 2640 to the extent that I love 2639. I donno why!!! :)
2. The new blue livery and starting from PF6 instead of 3 are not OK for me and
3. The train now gets a WAP-4 from Erode shed, which adds more beauty to it (ofcourse, at the cost of diesels between JTJ and SBC)
Pleasant memories of 2639 being hauled by a WAP-1 (? AJJ) upto JTJ and the loco change that happens there....twin WDM2x (Mostly ED - sometimes KJM?) - not to forget the typical green liveried coaches with a yellow stripe near the windows, starting from PF3 at MAS and entering PF1 at SBC as if that platform was built only for it to occupy in the chill afternoons of Bangalore (C shaped platform)....watching the loco change near the loco and getting into the first compartment as the train moved towards the Deccan Plateau towards Somanayakkanpatti, then coming to our compartment through the vestibules (as if it was a heroic act)...
The coffee at AJJ, Idli vada masalaaaa (a stretched!) dosai at KPD, Opening our meal parcels at JTJ, a Frooti at Kuppam station, masala vadai and cakes (what a combination?!?!) at BWT and an icecream near KJM - those are THE memories that I recollect whenever I think of 2639. btw - Walking to the pantry and getting stuff is reserved for elders!
Loud horn of the electric engine ruled until it crossed the suburban Madras gaining faster acceleration after KPD and a slow snake-like entry to one of the left most platforms at JTJ. If I remember correctly, SA bound trains used to take the Northern platforms while SBC bound trains take the southern ones at that time.The thick smoke (that those twin diesels emit) that comes and hits your face as he climbs up the hill, meandering through sharp and gentle C curves, U curves of the valleys of the Deccan, combined with the distant shrill and long honks of those diesels along with the gaba gaba gaba sound of accelerating engines, the typical WDM 'on-off-again on' pattern of acceleration of the throttles of those Alco diesels, sandy dry hills of the deccan, slight drizzle as it pulls out of Kuppam station (which again is a C curve).....crossing state express at JTJ - or eagerly waiting for it to reach JTJ, if it is late! --- I feel as if I am taken through a time travel to April end, 1989.
Finally, the C curves between BNC and SBC mixed with the frequent dond-dong-dong girder sounds at the bridges....It is a different, mesmerising experience altogether. hmmmmm....I wish I had a camera and a camcorder! I would have travelled fifteen times till date...each experience is a treat to relish.
GO 2639!!!
P.Ses:
1. I hate 2640 to the extent that I love 2639. I donno why!!! :)
2. The new blue livery and starting from PF6 instead of 3 are not OK for me and
3. The train now gets a WAP-4 from Erode shed, which adds more beauty to it (ofcourse, at the cost of diesels between JTJ and SBC)
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