I was off to a worrying start on a journey to a place that I never had been to. I realized that I had forgotten my Debit card only after I reached the ATM. I had already run out of time, and had to get into a train very soon. I called up my parents and arranged for money at the other end of my journey and I rushed to get tickets for my EMU journey to Panvel. Damn! The Queue was too long that I was sure to miss my EMU! I then jumped queue and purchased a Coupon booklet. A huge chalk marking near the Coupon Validation Machine suggested that the new-age ATVM is on the anvil at Belapur! I validated coupons for the amount required, and I rushed off to platform 1 – just to seen my EMU already pulling in to the station. That was a close connection!

I jumped into the first coach. I had light luggage, much to my pleasure. I reached Panvel at around 1209. My train was still 50 minutes away! Just as I walked in, the PA system came alive and announced that the Madgaon bound Mandovi Express would arrive soon on Platform 1! I jumped up in joy! I walked towards the rear end of the platform and took positions to take a photo. Announcements were repeatedly being made, and the train was to run with 24 coaches on the day! At around 1225, an “orange” colored loco was visible at a distance. My vision was blocked buy a WCAG1 hauled BLCA rake standing on the adjacent line. I first thought that the loco was an Ernakulam loco, but as she came closer – the livery looked a bit different.

The loco came closer, and I was in for the real new-year surprise! That was a Kazipet WDM3C! The loco was #18893 in her new livery (Kazipet's Rajdhani special livery). The loco pulled in with a 24 coach heavy load (includes 6 AC coaches!). The train had one extra Sleeper coach (this coach would probably be regularized since the train enjoys a very good patronage). The train left after a 15 minute long halt at Panvel. The loco was refueled here. The arrival of my train was announced at around 1240. The train was to arrive on platform 3 (As usual). I walked over to Platform 3. Just as I made it there, a JNPT bound BLCA/B rake standing on Platform 2 was cleared. Another round of announcements began for my train. Later, the Dadar bound KR3 passenger, and the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express too were announced to be running late.

My train showed up at 1302. The loco in charge was WDM3D #11207 of Erode – the one with a crown on the Short hood! I almost jumped up again in excitement on getting a new WDM3D! My coach was the third from the loco – A1 (WGACCW 96067, based at Trivandrum). The coach looked pretty run down. The coach was fully booked with about 6 passengers in RAC! AC Three-Tier had quite some vacant berths, and I regretted booking a Tatkal ticket for 2A – the service seriously wasn't worth the amount that I spent! The train pulled out of Panvel at 1315 – delayed by 20 minutes! The run out of Panvel was smooth – and the fact that the crossovers were cleared for 30kmph made the run out of the station pretty fast! We over took a twin Tuglakabad WAG5 hauled Container train at the station. The train picked speed quite quickly. We then stopped at Somatne home. I was sure of what was in store for me! I remained at the door, and the TTE came around asking for my ticket. I asked him to wait, and remained focused on my camera! We crossed the Dadar bound KR4 passenger at Somatne. The loco in charge was WDM2 #18579 of Pune!

I then produced my ticket for inspection. I had forgotten to purchase water from the station, and I was now feeling pretty thirsty. I did not have my lunch too. I then decided to make a visit to the pantry – but met a bearer on the way itself! I asked him for a lunch packet, and he quickly delivered it at my seat. I had the lunch quickly, and got back to the door. We crossed a Kalyan WDG3A (#13381) hauled BCNA rake at Apta. We had a pretty good run upto Pen. We were sent to the loop line at Pen. Kalyan WDG3A #13382 was seen waiting here! We, thus, crossed two consequently numbered locos! The Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express was the reason why we entered the loop line. WDM2 #16671 of Ernakulam was in charge of Mangala Express. We left the station soon after the crossing.

We had a rather slow run after Pen. The train crawled most of the distance and we finally hit the brakes at Nagothane Home. The halt was a couple of minutes long. The starter then turned green, and the train notched its way into the station. Our pairing train – 6346 Netravati Express – was waiting there. Ernakulam's WDM3A #14076 was doing the honors on our pairing train. Incidentally it would be the same rake that would be ferrying me back from Trivandrum. I quickly checked the age of the coach that I would be traveling in. We had a “not-so-bad” run from Nagothane to Roha. We slowed down at Roha home, and crawled into Platform 1 at Roha (which is on the loop line). I spotted Grandma WDM2 #18041 of Kalyan taking some rest on a loop line with the rake of the Roha-Diva Passenger.

My train left Roha at 1458 – with a delay of 13 minutes. I spotted a good looking orange colored loco standing a bit away from the station as we slowly moved out! The loco turned out to be WDM3A #16283 of Ernakulam! We then crawled into KR territory, and the train picked speed quite fast. We stopped on the main line at Kolad station to pick up caution orders, and then continued our “hell-of-a-run”. The train kept going at good speeds most of the time. I was at the door at most instances. We pulled into Karanjadi for a crossing some time later. We crossed the Diva passenger here – WDM2 #16682 of Golden Rock did the honors of the 18 coach passenger train. We had a nice run after Karanjadi.

The train had to stop at the Home signal of Diwankhavati for some time. We were cleared into the loop line. I was anticipating crossing the Rajdhani at any time, and expected that we would cross here now! We crossed a twin Kalyan WDM2 hauled BOXN rake at the station. We moved back to the main line and continued our run! I felt a bit dejected but remained at the door for some more time. We slowed once again - at Khed outer. We were routed to the loop line! We slowly crawled into the loop line and barely stopped and by the time the starter on the main line was green! I heard an Alco horn by the time and could sense a train approaching us! I had no more time to frame a good shot, and that was the WDP3A #15535 of Golden Rock with the Nizamuddin bound Rajdhani Express! The Rajdhani was a good 17 coaches long!

There were no signs of my train moving even after the Rajdhani left! A couple of minutes later, the PA system at the station announced the arrival of the Mumbai bound Mandovi Express! I had a walk upto the loco of my train to get a few images of the loco, and then rushed back to my coach in time for the Mandovi Express. Just as I reached the door, I heard the ever familiar donkey's bray – the LT horn of the WDP4. The loco got visible and slowly crawled towards the station. She was WDP4 #20044 without any shed markings working the Mumbai CST bound 0104 Mandovi Express from Madgaon. She pulled in, and our starter turned amber (we were on the loop line).

The run got faster after Khed. We entered Chiplun station at 1733 – our first scheduled halt on KR. My train was running late by 48 minutes then! We left Chiplun at 1740. We had a normal run after Chiplun. We were put to the loop line at Sangameshwar road – to cross the king of KR, The Dadar-Madgaon-Dadar Jan Shatabdi! The JS rushed past my train at around 1828 with WDM3A #18700 of Ernakulam doing the honours! We left the station just minutes after the crossing. We finally pulled into Ratnagiri at 1913 – late by 28 minutes. We crossed the Ernakulam-Dadar Holiday special here – WDG3A #14981 of Kalyan did the honors on this train. We finally left Ratnagiri at 1929.

Dinner was served at 2000 – and consisted of the normal “Netravati” affair. Usually, two chapattis too were served! I had a quick dinner and prepared to sleep when the train stopped on the main line at Kankavali! We crossed the 0112 Konkan Kanya Express bound to Mumbai here – WDP4 #20029 of Krishnarajapuram did the honors. I went to sleep shortly after the train left the station. The AC was running pretty low, and it was getting hot during the night. To add to my misery was the “unusually” narrow side berth, and the uneven joint of the berth made matters worse! I had a bad back ache by the time it was morning – Though I did not have a peaceful sleep, I did not see even a single station at the night!

I woke up at 0620 in the morning. Just as I reached the door, I noticed that my train was standing at Kasaragode station. We left Kasaragode at 0624 – delayed by 59 minutes! The toilets were yet to get crowded, and I rushed off to finish all my morning chores before starting rail fanning. I was at the door for a pretty long time then on. The train kept good speeds all the time. We pulled into Kanhangad at 0646, and left at 0648. As we were moving out, I spotted WDM2 #17339 of Golden Rock (this loco is ex-Ernakulam) pulled into the station with the Charvattur-Mangalore Passenger. We then stopped at Charvattur (0703). We crossed the Mangalore bound Maveli Express sometime after Charvattur – WDM2 #17474 of Ernakulam did the honors.

We pulled into Payyanur at 0718 and left at 0721. Netravati Express runs more like a Fast Passenger from Kasaragode to Vadakara – stopping at most stations en route! We crossed the Chennai-Mangalore Tri-weekly express just after Payyanur – WDM2 #18491 of Erode did the honors. The train kept her “good” running all the way till Kannapuram. We arrived Kannapuram at 0739 and left at 0741 (late by 56 minutes). We crossed the Mangalore bound Malabar Express shortly after this station – Golden Rock WDM2 #16880 did the honors on the Malabar Express. The train slowed down on approaching Pappinisseri. We stopped at Pappinisseri home, and then slowly crawled into the station. As we kept crawling ahead, the starter went amber, and we continued crawling ahead towards Valapattanam River. I knew what to expect ahead, and it appeared as if it was a re-run of what happened during my last trip on the same train in April!

My train stopped just short of Valapattanam Bridge. Doubling works are yet to be completed in the Valapattanam-Kannur section. The train changes tracks after the Bridge and then continues on the newly laid “Down” line. We crossed the Kannur – Mangalore passenger near the bridge. It was WDM2 #18374 of Golden Rock (ex-Ernakulam) doing the honors on the train. We overtook a light Erode WDG3A at the station. We pulled into Kannur at 0808, late by an hour and 3 minutes. The Trivandrum-Mangalore Express pulled into the station simultaneously as my train too pulled in. WDM3D #11194 of Erode did the honors on the Mangalore Express. We left Kannur at 0814. I remained at the door for some more time expecting a crossing soon. We crossed the Kozhikode-Kannur passenger near Dharmadam – WDM2 #16857 of Ernakulam did the honors.
Breakfast was served sometime after Dharmadam. I had ordered for Masala Dosa, and the serving was pretty good. I remained at the door for most of the time. We had a short halt at Thalassery (arrived at 0840 and left at 0843 – 1 hour and 11 minutes late). The run was smooth after Thalassery. The pilot was keen on making up as much time as possible, and the train was running at MPS for most of the time. We then stopped at Vadakara, and left at 0906 – now late by an hour and 6 minutes. The Pilot kept his good show on, and the train was rocking! The loco had her horn blowing most of the time since this section has a Level crossing every now and then. We crossed the Mangalore bound Mail somewhere after Vadakara. It was Ernakulam's WDM3A #14140 doing the honors on the train. It was all normal as the train crossed Quilandi station. The speed was around 90 kmph, when I noticed something flying off from the train. I was seated inside the coach when this happened, and the train came to a screeching halt – within a Kilometre from where I saw “something” flying off. The coach attendant jumped out of the coach to check if it was all right with his coach.

My train was now standing across a Level cross – with about 3-4 coaches still to cross the gate. It was unclear as to what happened. More and more passengers got down to see what was wrong. The TTE of my coach rushed towards the loco to get details on what went wrong – The inevitable had happened! A man was run over at the level cross – so bad an accident that very little remained of the poor soul! The scene was so gory that eye-witnesses had heartburn instantly. The train remained there till the Loco pilots ensured that there was nothing under the loco and the train was fit to run. The entire process ate about 15 minutes. The train then crawled forward from the place. The pilot was a bit cautious as he negotiated another level cross – the frequency of blowing the horn just increased. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased person – May his soul rest in peace.

We crossed the newly extended Thrissur-Kannur Passenger (This train used to terminate at Kozhikode earlier) somewhere near West Hill. The loco in charge was none other than Golden Rock's Jumbo WDM2 #17835 working her Short hood forward! We slowed down as we crossed Vellayil. We crossed a twin Golden rock WDM2 hauled BCNA rake (rather only half of the rake) just before Kozhikode Home. The locos were WDM2 #16875 (leading) and #16864. Doubling work is still to be completed from Kozhikode Outer to the station. A Level cross gate and some other structures are still a bottleneck for the doubling job. We entered Platform 3 of Kozhikode station somewhere around 1012 – We were now running late by an hour and 23 minutes! WDM2 #18485 “-0” of Erode was standing in the yard with a hopper rake. The loco had a huge marking “For departmental Use Only” painted on the cabin – The same loco had worked by 1081 Express from Ernakulam to Changanassery way back in August 2006.

I had a walk upto the loco at Kozhikode to see what exactly was wrong, but the loco stopped much beyond the platform, and I was a bit scared to venture out so far. I was then busy hearing to a newly introduced FM Radio Station in the city. That was my first experience hearing a Malayalam FM station, and I enjoyed every bit of the telecast. The train left the station at around 1029 – now late by an hour and 29 minutes. I was at the door as the train slowly crawled out of the station, and then changed tracks to enter the UP line. The platform that we occupied was on the Down line. The train slowly picked speed. The railway line runs through the city for quite a distance. I noticed that a new rake was dropped by an unknown loco at the Kallayi Goods yard, and hence remained at the door to see if there were any locos around.

The train slowed down as we approached Kallayi station. I noticed an Erode Loco standing at a distance. That was WDG3A #14798 of Erode. The loco was then moving out from the loop line to the main line. Just as we crossed the loco, I noticed another train on the mainline! That was the Ernakulam-Kannur Intercity Express waiting near the Outer Signal of Kallayi – The loco in charge was WDM2 #17711 of Golden Rock! It was then an eventless run there on. We kept stopping at frequent intervals (all scheduled halts). We arrived Parapanangadi at 1104 instead of 0928, and Tirur at 1122 instead of 1000. I was expecting a crossing all the time and remained at the door most of the time. The train finally slowed down as we approached Kuttipuram. The crossing took place here!

That was the Coimbatore-Mangalore Fast Passenger - WDM2 #16865 of Golden Rock did the honors on this train. We left Kuttipuram at 1146 – delayed by an hour and 21 minutes. We ran non stop till Pallipuram. We were made to wait for a crossing at Pallipuram. We crossed a tanker rake here – Erode WDM3D #11105 coupled to an Ernakulam WDM2 did the honors for the train. We had a sedate run from Pallipuram to Shoranur. The train pulled into Shoranur at 1230 – delayed by 55 minutes. Lunch was served while the train stopped at Shoranur. I had opted for a Veg Biriyani – It seriously was a poor choice! I gulped it down as quickly as possible and reached back at the door. The Indore bound Ahilyanagari Express was standing on Platform 3 (my train was on Platform 6). Two WAP4s - #22217 of Erode and #22627 of Arakkonam occupied the sidings at Shoranur.

My train was finally allowed to leave at 1240. The loco of Ahilyanagari Express – WAM4 #21319 of Arakkonam – had now reversed and taken charge of the train for its journey ahead. My train slowly negotiated points and entered the line towards Ernakulam. We slowly crossed the Bharathapuzha Bridge and crossed over to the main line towards Ernakulam. Just as the train curved towards the Outer signal, I saw a Wappie waiting on the other line! That was WAP4 #22380 of Erode with the Shoranur bound Venad Express. The run after Shoranur was eventless. The train kept good speeds all the way without having to slow down anywhere. I was at the door most of the time. We crossed Punkunnam at good speed. The Mangalore bound Parasuram Express crossed my train somewhere near the Thrisur Home signal – Erode WDM3D #11179 did the honours on this train. We made a fast entry into the station.

The train left Thrisur at 1320 – delayed by a full hour. I continued to remain at the door for the journey ahead as well. The train rushed through areas that I've seen in much detail. We crossed the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express sometime after Thrisur. Erode WAP4 #22508 did the honors for the train. The train was pretty long, and I got tired counting the number of coaches in the train!!! We crossed a twin WDM2 headed tanker rake somewhere close to Irinjalakkuda. We crossed the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express near Chalakudi – WDM2 #17108 of Ernakulam did the honors for the train. We then made a brief halt at Divine Nagar.

Some time later, I spotted Erode WDM2 #18600 rushing past my train with an 18-coach express train – I was dumbstruck about the train. Scrutiny of the images on my camera revealed that the train was the 6382 Mumbai Express! The train normally gets a WAP4 from Ernakulam to Renigunta! It was all a dry run after the crossing. We reached Aluva at 1417, and left at 1420 – now delayed by 68 minutes. I spotted a twin Ernakulam diesel hauled BCNA at the sidings of Aluva. Our pairing train – 6346 Netravati Express to Lokmanya Tilak terminus – rushed past my poor train somewhere near Kalamassery with WDM3A #14080 of Ernakulam in charge. My train, unusually, ran through Ernakulam North station at good speed leaving many passengers preparing to “jump” down at the station surprised! We slowed down outside Ernakulam Junction and slowly pulled into Platform 4 at 1444 – delayed by 39 minutes.

A huge crowd got down here. A WAP4 (#22258 of Erode) was seen shunting around, and she later ‘hooked' up with the Kayamkulam passenger. My train left Ernakulam at 1455 – late by 40 minutes. Golden Rock WDS6 #36003 waved bye to my train as we slowly crawled out of the station. It was a pretty eventless run after Ernakulam. We crossed a passenger train at Kumbalam. We had a short halt at Chertala (left at 1534). We finally made it to Alappuzha at 1601 – delayed by 36 minutes. Arakkonam WAP1 #22018 was preparing to depart with the Chennai Express, while Arakkonam WAM4 #21235 was preparing to take out the evening passenger to Ernakulam. It was an eventless run after Alappuzha. We stopped at Ambalapuzha and Harippad before reaching Kayamkulam.

A real surprise was in store for me at Kayamkulam – The Kerala Sampark Kranti Express bound to Chandigarh was still there! Ernakulam WDM3A #16295R did the honors! The train was running over 8 hours late, and she had covered hardly 100 kilometres of run from her origin! My train left Kayamkulam at 1706 – now late by 44 minutes. We crossed the Bikaner Express somewhere near Karunagapalli – Ernakulam WDM3A #14075 did the honors for this train. We had another eventless run after Karunagapalli. We reached Kollam at 1741 – late by 31 minutes. My train was taken on Platform 4. Platform 6 was occupied by the Madurai Passenger, while Platform 5 was preparing for the arrival of the Kochuveli-Bangalore Express. The Bangalore Express came in at 1748 with WAM4 #21304 of Arakkonam in charge. My train left Kollam at 1750, now with a delay of 35 minutes. The loco doing the honors on the Madurai passenger was WDM3A #14123 of Erode. I spotted WDM2 #17570 of Tondiarpet sleeping off inside the yard with a freight train.

It started getting dark as we left Kollam. I decided to remain inside the coach for the rest of the journey. There were hardly around 10 passengers in the coach now, and almost all the TTEs in charge of the train were inside my coach, along with half-a-dozen off-duty guys! We made a brief halt at Varkala (left at 1819) on our way to Trivandrum. It was pitch dark outside, and my train kept going fast towards her destination. My train finally reached Trivandrum Home at 1900. About a couple of minutes later, an unknown WAP4 pulled out with a late running Chennai Superfast on the UP line. The signal turned amber with the route indicator reading “1” at 1903, and my train slowly crawled forward. I spotted WDM3A #18596 of Ernakulam shunting around light, and WDM3D #11208 of Erode coupling itself to the Mangalore bound Maveli Express as the train slowly pulled into Platform 1. The train came to a complete halt at 1908 on Platform 1 of Thiruvananthapuram Central – with a delay of 28 minutes. My dad had come to the station to pick me up. We walked out of the station, and moved towards Hotel Chaitram – where my dad had booked room for us! There ended a long cherished dream – to visit the capital city of Kerala!

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