A trip to the Garden City on the Chalukya
Sunday, October 30, 2005 A day I had been waiting for. As night fell for that day, I left from my house on my loco, a Maruti WagonR, hunting for an autorickshaw. We (Myself, dad and mom) had 6 pcs of baggage in all, and it was too heavy to carry all the way to the rickshaw stand. After a lot of searching, I managed to find a rickshaw, about 2 Kms away from home. We reached the station at about 7.55 pm. I rushed to the counter to book three tickets to Vadala road. We boarded a CSTM bound local coming from Panvel at 8.06 pm. We finally got down at Vadala road at about 8.40 pm. Took a taxi to Dadar Terminus. We had a tough time avoiding porters and finally managed to enter the terminus area. As soon as I entered the platforms, I saw the SLR of a train on Platform 7. The time was just 9pm. Guess what??? That was the rake of our train, 1017 Down - Dadar Terminus - Bangalore City Chalukya Express. The rake was on the platform a full 1 hour and 45 minutes before departure. There was already a long queue for unreserved second class coaches. The doors were opened at close to 2130. We boarded our coach AS1 (CR 01118/A manufactured by RCF-Kapurthala in December 2001, based at Dadar). The coach was the third from the loco. The coach positions were as follows: Loco-SLR-GS-AS1-A1-S6-S5-S4-S3-S2-S1-GS-LDS.
By around 2145, the rake of the Dadar-Amritsar express was shunted onto platform number 8. This train has slip coaches to Dhuliya. The queue for unreserved coaches was much longer for this train. A lot of trains were slowly making their way out of Mumbai while some ones like the Udyan Express, Tapovan Express, Indrayani Express and TVC-CSTM express were coming in. Our loco came in at close to 2205 hrs itself. The loco was WCAM3 #21942 homed at ELS Kalyan. I kept wandering about the loco, preparing myself for the first journey on a train hauled by an electric after close to 3 years. Soon I was back in my coach. The AC had just kicked in and the coach was just getting cool.
Sharp at 2245 the loco gave a sharp toot and the train slowly pulled out of Dadar terminus, marking the beginning of a very magnificent journey. RPF personnel came in and locked all the doors from inside. The Coach assistant made his appearance and gave out the Bed-rolls to all passengers. Soon the train pulled through Matunga and joined the main line. The loco-pilot quickly picked up speed and the 4600hp loco made mince-meat of the puny 12-coach rake of Chalukya express. Stations like Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, etc were passed as mere flashes of light accompanied by merciless honking of the loco's horn. The TTE appeared by the time we reached Ghatkopar. Soon after this, the Coach Assistant took orders for Breakfast. We kept going through Thane, without even slowing. We were made to wait outside Kalyan for about 5-10 minutes. We pulled into Kalyan Junction at about 2344. Solapur bound Siddheshwar express was waiting on the adjacent platform. Soon later, Siddheshwar was given the go ahead. We left Kalyan at 2357 hrs with a delay of 17 minutes. Though I wanted to keep myself awake atleast until Pune, Sleep overpowered me and I went to Sleep. My berth was 26, Middle berth. The AC was cool enough, considering the climate. The bedding provided by CR, was good. The bed sheets were white & clean.
I got up at about 0630. I rushed to finish my morning chores, before the toilets are crowded. By then, we were already at Takari. After finishing all my morning chores, I decided to be at the door. The climate was too cool. We soon pulled in to a station. The time was 0657, and the station was Kirloskarvadi. We were on the main line, and the rush at the platforms showed that it was a crossing. The signals were Semaphore and the station had two platform lines, one loop line and one main line both lying between the platform lines. The layout shows off that the station is regularly used for crossings. At around 0710, the outer signal turned to caution for loop line. A loco was seen approaching. The train was 1610 Miraj Pune Passenger. The loco was WDM2 #17444 based at Pune. The train had an unusual load: A dead Ratlam Loco! (WDM2 #18654, in original Maroon livery, with Ratlam' and WR' Markings). We were permitted to leave the station at 0716, immediately after the passenger came to a halt.
We pulled into Sangli at 0745, delayed by 37 minutes. A Pune WDM2 hauled freighter welcomed us to the station. We left the station at 0747. After Sangli, we had a non-stop run and the loco pilot let his machine loose. We pulled into Miraj sharp at 0755, early by 15 minutes. The loco pilots changed here. Crew from CR, Pune division, who took charge from Pune, hand-over their duty to their counterparts from SWR, Hubli Division. At this station, I decided to have a look at the power, which took over duty from Pune. The loco was WDM3a #18651R based at Pune, and in true Krishnarajapuram colours. A 3100hp loco for 13 Coach Rake (1 Extra sleeper coach was added from Pune). While the train stayed at Miraj, a Freighter rake headed by twin WDM2Bs from Kazipet (Lead by #16575 and #16701 trailing) went past our train through the adjacent platform line. We left Miraj sharp at 0815, On-Time. Breakfast was loaded from Miraj, and consisted of Idly, Medu-Vada and some Coconut Chutney. The breakfast was good.
We crossed into South-Western Railway territory, at close to 0820. After a brisk run, we stopped at Kudachi. (0859, Delayed by 15 minutes) To my utter surprise, I found out that Miraj is the last station in Maharashtra! We continued a good run until Chikodi Road. We pulled into Chikodi Road at 0925 and stopped on the main line. After some time, 1606 Castle Rock Miraj passenger pulled in with WDM2 #16349 from Pune in charge. This train is housed by CR at Miraj and this train, surprisingly, runs hardly 2-3 kilometres in CR territory. We left the station at 0944.
We next stopped at Ghatprabha, a scheduled halt, at 1003 delayed by 35 minutes. Soon after stopping, a Krishnarajapuram Loco (WDM2 #17601) pulled in with 0674 Yeshwantpur Ajmer Holiday special in tow. We left the station at 1005. After Ghatprabha, the train gained speed quickly and we maintained it until Gokak Road. We were made to wait at the Outer Signal of this station. Soon, the signal turned Green and we pulled into the station. Kolhapur bound 6589-Rani Chennamma Express; hauled by Hubli-based WDP4 #20002 was waiting for us. My first sighting of an EMD loco that too a Loco manufactured by EMD itself. We passed through without stopping and the loco was notching up continuously. We pulled into Belgaum at 1059, with a delay of just 9 minutes. At Belgaum, we overtook the 1619 Miraj-Hubli Passenger hauled by WDM2 #17158 from Pune. We left Belgaum at 1111, delayed by 16 minutes. After Belgaum, a non-stop run awaited us. We crossed the 1632 Londa-Miraj passenger hauled by WDM2a #17775 from Guntakkal at Gunji. We pulled into Londa, sharp at 1210 delayed by 27 minutes. A Long BCNA rake hauled by Twin Erode locos and a BCNA rake hauled by WDG4 #12011 based at Hubli were parked at the sidings. Lunch was loaded from this station. We left the station at 1220. The Lunch (Veg.) consisted of 2 Chapattis, A vegetable curry, Rice, Dal and Curd. The Chapattis were very soft, much similar to the ones made at homes & hotels, and the vegetable curry was simply superb! The packing was outstanding and those accompaniments were packed in plastic-containers rather than the usual Aluminum Foil containers and hence gave a much better and hygienic look. Overall the lunch from Londa base kitchen gets 8/10 marks.
After Londa, we crossed an Iron-Ore rake hauled by Krishnarajapuram Triple WDG3As. That was my first sighting of so many powers coupled. There were a large number of speed restrictions in the section. The lowest speed being 20 kmph! We pulled into Alnavar at 1308 delayed by 50 minutes. After Alnavar, there was atleast one crossing per station until Dharwar. The first crossing was at Kambarganvi: A BCNA rake hauled by WDG3a #14972 from Gooty. The second at Mugad: A BOXN rake hauled by WDG4 #12058 from Hubli and banked by WDG4 #12013; Another BOXN rake hauled by Twin WDG4s lead by WDG4 #12030. The Third crossing was at Kyarkop A BOXN rake hauled by twin MU-ed WDG4s #12010 and #12049 both based at Hubli. We finally pulled into Dharwar at 1356, delayed by 33 minutes. Here we had the last crossing of the series.' The train was 1620 Hubli Miraj Passenger, hauled by WDM2 #17936 from Pune. We left Dharwar at 1358. After Dharwar, the loco pilot notched up aggressively and quickly picked speed. We crossed the next station, Navalur, at a speed of 78.86 kmph. (The speed was measured by calculating the speed required to cover 1 kilometre, measured using a stopwatch. The time taken was 45.65 seconds for 1 kilometre.) The train kicked up speed as we passed through Navalur and the Station Master had to use his flag to protect himself from dust! After Navalur, we crossed a small siding this siding is used as a maintenance pit for the Chennai Hubli Weekly Express!!! We were diverted the siding at Unkal, for a crossing. The main line was occupied by a WDG4 (#12036) hauled BCNA rake. The other Loop line was occupied by another BCNA rake, hauled by WDG4 #12034, working towards Hubli.
We pulled into Hubli at 1422 delayed by 2 minutes. As we entered Hubli, our pairing train 1018 Bangalore Dadar Chalukya express was stabled at Platform #2, hauled by WDM3a #18858 from Pune. The train seemed to be too early since the train is expected to be there only by 1510! We pulled into Platform #3. Platform #4 had a BCNA rake hauled by twin MU-ed WDG4s. As soon as we stopped, a lone coach was seen approaching the Dadar Bound Chalukya express from behind. The coach was an Inspection car hauled by WDG3a #13051 from Pune. The rake of 284 Hubli Arsikere Passenger, coupled to WDG3a #14691 from Krishnarajapuram. The rake of this passenger has a very complex sign board indicating Mysore <-> Arsikere <-> Hubli <-> Shimoga Town <-> Birur. But I couldn't find any train running directly from Hubli to Shimoga Town!!! We left Hubli station at 1440 with a delay of 15 minutes. Hubli yard had a lot of locos in store for me! As soon as we pulled out, we overtook a BCNA rake hauled by WDG4 #12034 (The same loco which we overtook at Unkal); then came WDM2 #17437 From Krishnarajapuram lying dead and WDP4 #20025 from Krishnarajapuram coupled to an unidentified train. After these we crossed 357 Kanginhal Hubli passenger hauled by WDM2 #17269 from Guntakkal. After this we crossed a Pune WDM3a coupled to the rake of the Hubli Londa- Nizamuddin Goa' Link Express. After this was an unusual MU-ed pair of locos: WDG3a #14942 from Gooty and WDM2 #17117 from Krishnarajapuram. Both were live and were hauling a BCNA rake.
A new set of crew members took charge from Hubli. The loco pilot seemed to be too crazy and the person blows the horns for long time continuously. He seemed to be habituated to picking up speed quite rapidly and maintained speeds in the range of 80-90 kmph in almost all sections. The first crossing after Hubli was at Saunshi. We crossed long Tanker rake hauled by twin WDG3a from Krishnarajapuram. We kept maintaining speeds and we crossed small stations with continuous blowing of the horn. We crossed the 587 Bangalore Hubli Passenger at Savanur. The train was hauled by twin Krishnarajapuram locos led by WDM3a #17961. We pulled into Haveri at 1555 delayed by 27 minutes. We next stopped at Harihar at 1640; delayed by 20 minutes. Here we crossed 581 Bangalore Dharwar Passenger hauled by a WDG3a from Krishnarajapuram. At Harihar, watering was done. This delayed our train since the train has a scheduled halt of only 2 minutes! We left the station at 1655.
We next stopped at Davangere. Here we crossed a long BCNA rake hauled by Twin Gooty WDG3a. The leading loco was #13199 (looks much similar to a WDM3d, but differs in colour!) and #13141. We left Davangere at 1705. We crossed Chikjajur at close to 1730hrs. We were put to the platform line and we coasted through the platform line without stopping. At about 1745, I was taken by surprise The assistant loco pilot took out a hoop containing the Niele's Ball token!!! Wow! We were in a Token territory. The train approached a station, Hosdurga Road, at high speed by slowed down as we approached the end of the station for Guess What??? Token Exchange. My first sighting of a Token Exchange! The hoop was thrown away as the loco approached the signal man and the assistant collected the new hoop. That was a beautiful sight!!!
We pulled into some unidentified station for a crossing. The Hubli bound Siddhanganga Intercity express flew past with a WDP4 at helm. We reached Birur at 1848, Kadur at 1856 and Arsikere at 1925. Since I had an incomplete sleep the day before, I had a short nap immediately after Arsikere, only to get up at Tumkur. We reached Tumkur at 2116 delayed by 38 minutes. I regained sleep and decided to sleep further. I was wakened up by my mom as we crossed Yeshwantpur. I saw Malleshwaram going past as a flash of light. After this we readied for alighting. The coach was already half-empty since most people got down at Belgaum, Dharwar or Hubli. We slowly crossed the Rail-Over-Bridge and approached Bangalore City Junction. We slowly pulled into Platform 10 of the station by 2245, delayed by 15 minutes. On Platform #9 was 6227 Bangalore Shimoga Town Express. This train was crowded very badly. Our rake being very short, the loco stopped near the FOB itself. We got down on the platform and had to wait for my brother. Finally at 2300, we walked towards the FOB. By this time the doors of the AC coaches were already locked from inside. While on the FOB, continuous announcements were being made regarding the arrival of the Chennai bound Kaveri Express and Coimbatore bound 1013 LTT-CBE express. We reached Platform #1 where the rake of Bangalore-Gorakhpur Express was parked. We finally had dinner from a hotel outside the station and took our car to my brother's house along the Bannerghatta road in Bangalore.
Hope you all liked my trip report. Please send me your comments about this report to binaiks@gmail.com.
