I had an opportunity to travel from Churchgate
to Dadar in a Driving cab of the EMU on WR. I had my camera with me so I decided
to capture this experience on the film. Unfortunately, the glass in front was
not ideal for photography and it fooled the auto focus mechanism at times.
Starting from Platform #1 at Churchgate. The structure on right is the former
Control Tower. New Control Tower was built little ahead, right after the double
orange signal on the left.
Starting from Marine Lines towards Charni Road. The building one left is one of
the several gymkhana built between tracks and Marine Drive.
Charni Road station is just next to the curve ahead.
Passing under former "French Bridge". (I do not know what the new name
is.) This piece is the bottleneck preventing further expansion of WR tracks.
Originally four tracks at Mumbai Central converged into three tracks and two
platforms at Grant Road, followed by two tracks to Churchgate. Later Churchgate
Station was rebuilt with 3 platforms and number of tracks between Marine Lines
and Churchgate increased to manage additional traffic. Finally, Churchgate was
rebuilt again with four platforms and tracks between Grant Road and Marine Lines
were quadrupled. As one can see, the four tracks between Opera House Bridge and Grant
Road station are sandwiched between buildings on both sides, preventing any addition in
future.
Platform #1 at Mumbai Central has been extended to accommodate 12 coach rakes.
The current plan on WR is to make all rakes with 12 coaches and add some rakes
with 15 coaches to accommodate increasing traffic. A fully loaded 12 coach rake
during peak hours can handle approximately 9,000 passengers.
We have a red signal. Mumbai Central car shed is on the left and train from
Mumbai Central is navigating switches to merge on down fast track.
Car shed structure can be seen on the left so does a burnt motorcoach that was
modified with two driving cabs, one on each side and was used for shunting
coaches in car shed. It was numbered "001".
A closer look at the passenger train.
We have just left Mahalaxmi station. The fifth track from main line passenger
trains can be seen at right. The track at left heads towards Mahalaxmi POH shop
that is a home for new (?) AC - DC EMU. Mahalaxmi POH is actually closer to Lower
Parel and employees use Lower Parel as an entry / exit point. Nevertheless, it
is Mahalaxmi POH.
Approaching Elphinston Road station. The cabin on right is Parel (South) manned
by CR. Sandwiched ahead between tracks of Western and Central Railway is Dadar
Yard that is also used to move traffic between two different zonal railways.
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