A refresher for hidden memories!

On a hot summer morning, I got up to go to my college. My last examination for the Third Year at Bachelor of Pharmaceutical science was scheduled! Though I was a bit tensed, I couldn't hide my happiness. I was literally day-dreaming while I drove my car to the college! I quickly finished off the exam. The questions turned out to be very easy. I reached back home at about 1500. My mom was busy getting ready for a long journey, while my Dad returned early from office. We had about 5 pieces of luggage and the stay was expected to last for about 16 days! Since the luggage was heavy we decided to call a taxi. At close to 2000 hrs, the taxi driver rang the calling bell at our door! We left our home about 10 minutes later. Interestingly the Taxi driver did not know the way to reach the station! We some how managed to reach the station. The station – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – was crowded as usual. This station had about 6 departures in the next 3 hours, and of the 5, three were to Patna , One to Howrah , one to Gorakhpur and one to the south. That was our train – 1013 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Coimbatore Express. Soon, I confirmed that our train would be departing from Platform 1 and accordingly, we were seated on one of the many benches on the platform. A holiday special bound to Patna soon made its way out while the PA system was continuously announcing that the Howrah “Crawler” Express would be departing from Platform 4 at 2150. The station was chaotic (As usual) with passengers sleeping on the platforms, under-lit platforms and the heavy crowd waiting for the rake of the 3202 LTT-Rajendra Nagar Express which was expected on Platform 2 soon.

The rake of the Rajendra Nagar Express was shunted in at about 2130. People barged into the rake and the train was full within minutes! The staff in the Pantry Car was busy preparing for their dinner! It was 2145 and still there was no sign of our train! Just a few minutes later the rake of our train was shunted in! The Coach position of this 20-Coach train was (From the Engine) SLR-GS-A1-AS1 to AS3-S1-PC-S2 to S11-GS-SLR. As the rake backed up, we slowly started walking towards the loco since our coach was the third from the loco! Just as we were walking, my eyes spotted a 04-built 3A coach! I still continued negotiating the crowd to reach our coach – A1, 98061/AB based at LTT. The coach was too old but the AC was too powerful! The windows were badly colored because of which I couldn't even see the platform! At about 2210, the loco was attached. The loco that would be taking us across the ghats that day was WCG2 #20124 (from Kalyan…Of Course!). By now the Rajendra Nagar Express slowly started moving out. Minutes after the Rajendra Nagar Express left, the rake of 2141 Rajendra Nagar Super fast was shunted in! With this I could conclude that there is atleast one train to Patna every 80 minutes!

At about 2235, the loco gave a sharp and long toot and slowly pulled out! Just a few metres down the line, the train stopped abruptly. The loco gave a characteristic two short & a long toot indicating a “Chain Pull”! About 5 minutes later, the train starting moving again. Again within metres, the train stopped with the loco blowing the same code! Finally at about 2250, the train started moving and joined the main line minutes later. The coach was almost full with about 7-8 berths vacant which was expected to be occupied at Pune. Surprisingly, most of the reservations were for Coimbatore with only a handful to Bangalore ! The train zipped across most stations at good speed. We slowed down for a signal at Dombivli, regaining speed soon after the platform. Our train was now being competed by a slow local bound to Kalyan. The local overtook us at Kalyan Outer where we had to wait for a signal. The train pulled into the platform at about 2326 hrs i.e., a delay of 10 minutes! We left 2 minutes later. I had a Side-Lower Berth, and by now my eye-lids were dropping and sleep was overpowering me! But the cabin lights of the nearby berth disturbed me. The curtain-rod was short and this allowed a gap which let the light in! I slept through the Bhore, and woke up as the train was pulling into Pune. I didn't notice the time, but could hear sounds of Diesel locos as the door of the coach was opened by some-one (Probably the Coach Attendant!). I slipped back into sleep even before the train left Pune.

Woke up at about 0530 the next morning! I kept the window curtain open and saw a marvelous sun rise. Just then I noticed that my mom was awake. I finished my morning chores before it gets crowded. I stood near the door to have some breeze and to have some photos of the sun rising! The climate was cool and the train was charging across open fields! We crossed the 6012 Chennai – Mumbai Express somewhere before Solapur. The run was interesting and we were soon pulling into Solapur. We pulled into Solapur at about 0642. Pune bound Hutatma Express was readying for a departure with an Erode WDM2 in charge. Just as the train pulled in, the Coach Attendant got down with two huge piles of Bedsheets, Pillow covers and Napkins. The Bed-rolls are supplied by the Solapur division of Central Railway. Soon their duties changed and a new Attendant took charge. One thing that I love of Central Railway is that their staff usually wears a clean uniform with a name-plate clearly mentioning their name, position and base! The toilets were being cleaned. One more new thing that I noticed was that, the windows of the AC coaches on the platform side was being cleaned! I decided to have a look at the loco. Just as I neared the loco, I noticed that a “Stop – Danger” board being hung from the Guards window informing the loco pilots that some work is being done and don't proceed even if the signals permit! The loco was in DCW livery, and I thought that it would be a recently converted loco from KJM. I was totally surprised when I saw the “SCR” marking on the loco! The loco was WDM3A #18913R from Guntakkal! The loco pilot and his assistant were busy checking the loco. After taking a snap of the loco, I returned to the coach. At about 0655, announcements regarding the departure of our train were made. Just following this announcement was the announcement regarding the arrival of 330 Hyderabad -Bijapur Passenger. There was a huge crowd waiting for that train. We left minutes later.

Just as the train cleared the crossings and picked up speed, I spotted a Pune Loco (WDM2 #17713) waiting for our train with the Bijapur passenger in tow!) Our train picked speed soon, and we had a good run. The section from Solapur to Akkalkot Road has been doubled. The new and old lines are far apart at many placed. We crossed the Yeshwantpur-Bijapur Basava Express hauled by a Krishnarajapuram WDM2 somewhere before Akkalkot Road. We were put to the Loop line at Akkalkot road at about 0720. A long Freight was also waiting on the other loop. Soon, Karnataka Express to New Delhi came charging down with Itarsi WDM3A #18725 leading the Twin locos! We left the station at about 0730. We overtook the freighter which was hauled by Pune WDM2 #16219. It was getting hotter as the train approached the border. We were put into yet another loop line by now. This time we crossed a long freighter hauled by WDM2B #17402 from Moulali and a Pune WDG3A. The locos were not MU-ed. The crossing took about 15 minutes. I returned to my seat as it was getting hotter outside. Our breakfast was served a few minutes after this crossing. We had ordered for Masala Dosa. The Dosas were packed in an Aluminum Casserole and were tasty! After about an hours run, we reached Ganagapur road at about 0845, delayed by 45 minutes. Here we crossed the 550 Wadi – Solapur Passenger hauled by Pune WDM2 #17987 in its traditional Maroon Livery! We reached Gulbarga by about 0930 where we crossed the Mumbai bound 6530 Udyan Express. I couldn't see the loco since the view was blocked by a freighter parked on the line in between! After Gulbarga , we had an uneventful run, and we pulled into Wadi sharp at 1000, early by full 15 minutes! Our coach stopped right outside the Railway Police Station. We crossed the 546 Raichur – Bijapur Passenger hauled by WDM2 #18672 from Pune.

I was mostly sitting inside the coach for most of the distance owing to the unbearable heat out side the coach making is difficult to stand at the door. We crossed the Bangalore-Nanded Link Express at Nalwar. I did not see the loco. After Nalwar, I had a short nap to make up for the sleep that I had to sacrifice the previous day! By the time I woke up, we were pulling into Raichur. The time was 1217. Raichur used to be station from where lunch was loaded in the pre-pantry days of this train. It was unbearably hot outside the coach. We left Raichur at 1221. We overtook a freighter hauled by WDG3A #14680 (leading) & #13040 both from Pune. The locos were being inspected by a new set of crews! We reached Mantralayam Road at 1249 where we had a two minute halt. Shortly after Mantralayam road, our lunch was served. The lunch consisted of two rotis, an accompaniment for the roti, some Jeera Rice, Dhal, Curd, a Papad and a sweet. The food was disgusting. I really wished it they could give a hammer to break the lump of rice. The food that was served the last time I took this train was excellent, and I was expecting food of that type! Our seat being at the end of the coach, no waiters from the pantry even passed by any time! We pulled into Guntakkal at 1445, delayed by 20 minutes. I had doubted if the loco would be changed at the station. Just as the train came to a halt, I rushed to the front of the train, to see that the loco has already been disconnected, and is waiting for the proceed order! The loco finally went to the yard at about 1455. At this time, there was a pair of KJM Shaktis #13031 & #13038. Spotting this pair grew my anxiety regarding the loco that our train would be getting for the journey ahead! By this time, a new Shakti WDG3A #13263 from Krishnarajapuram pulled into the station with a long BCNA rake. At about 1506, our “new” loco came in. It was WDM3A #14028 ‘Baldie' from Krishnarajapuram! This loco had probably failed on the up journey and the GTL loco was a replacement!

Finally at 1515, we left the station. The delay had already swelled to 40 minutes by now! The train quickly picked speed and we soon rushed across Timmanacherla and we pulled into Gooty by 1540. After the normal 2-Minute halt, the train left the station. It cleared all ‘hurdles'…err! I mean points…to enter the branch towards Dharmavaram. The loco smoke up marvelously as we took the sharp curve. The loco soon showed off and picked speed. We crossed the 9775 Mysore-Jaipur Express hauled by a GTL loco at some unknown station. We pulled into Anatapur by about 1630. Just as we left the station, we crossed a Metre Gauge train proceeding towards Guntakkal. We crossed our pairing train at Zangalapalle. The loco in charge was WDM3A #18904 from KJM. We were put into the loop at Chigicherla. Here we crossed a long Freighter hauled by Twin Erode WDM2s! We finally pulled into Dharmavaram at 1730, sharp ON-Time! Here the pilots changed and the train is formally handed over to South Western Railway. After Dharmavaram, where I filled my belly with the famous Dhal Wadas which is a specialty of the station, I settled in my seat reading a magazine. I unknowingly slipped into sleep once again. This time, the sleep was relatively long. While I woke up, we were pulling in to a station called Thondebhavi. The station was too small and the platform was at ground level. We were subject to about 3 crossings at the station. We had ordered Dinner which was served just after the train left this station. The dinner had the same menu as that of the lunch. This time the Rotis had become thicker and harder. I really would have been happy if he had given an axe to cut them! The rice was hard as usual. The dhal would have been better if it was more liquid! Somehow managed to finish it off, and had a sleep.

I woke up later at about 2200, and found that we were at Yelahanka then! Later the train cruised into Bangalore east. I called up my brother who was by then at Bangalore City station waiting for us. He said that the train was rescheduled to arrive by 2240. We pulled into Bangalore Cantonment by about 2245. I called up my bro once again to confirm as to which side the platform is expected, and he said – Left! The train was scheduled to arrive on Platform 3. After Bangalore Cantonment, we picked our luggage and kept them near the door, and I stood by the door. The breeze was cool. The coach attendant, who was sleeping in his berth till now, got up and went to collect the Bed-rolls of Bangalore passengers! The loco charged across a territory that is very familiar to the loco. As we neared the Station, I saw an Erode WAP4 crossing us with a few coach bearing the boards “ Bangalore – Chennai”. Those were the coaches of Kaveri Express that this added at Bangalore ! The loco entered the platform line, and Erode WDM3D #11108 was waiting on the adjoining line to take this train to Coimbatore . The platform was crowded with people waiting to board this train. The train came to a dead stop by about 2315, delayed by an hour and 10 minutes! On platform 2 was the rake of the Bangalore – Coimbatore Intercity Express. We walked out of the station, took bro's car and went home. I was still sleepy, and really couldn't understand anything as my bro drove the car!!!

Wait…The report isn't over! You'll have to read some more…about the rail fanning trip to Hennur and Baiyappanahalli with Naveen and Shailesh! That just follows!

I am eager to know how you liked this report! Please send in your comments and suggestions (brick-bats also welcome) to binaiks@gmail.com