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)
2 comments:
Aravind,
Nice report about 2639. U hv mentioned that you have travelled 15 times by this train. I would have have done atleast 50 to 75 trips during my school days. Even if we get leave for 2 to 3 days, we are off to SBC and in those days it was only by 39/40 as i was not comfortable with night travel. Have u seen the SR markings on the wooden seats of 39/40. I remember even now. 5.00 hrs was the travel time then with a WDM2 and 12 coaches.
Regards,
Vimal (reply to me at manasa1107@gmail.com)
Adding to my comment,
Have you seen the Sky Blue ED WDM2 locos in those days? It was a treat to watch the Sky Blue WDM2 hauling the Dark Green liveried 39/40 Brindavan Express from the windows and some of the windows did'nt have the railings in between. A treat for somebody like us who are rail fanatics. The locos were usually parked next to PF 1 at MAS where we could see a Diesel tank from which it was loaded to the locos. It perished when MAS area was brought under wires.
Regards,
Vimal
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