Friday, December 24, 2010

A chilly trip to Shirdi and back.













































I had planned a family trip to Sainagar Shirdi (SNSI) after we railfans had visited the brand new station in 2009/10 as a special Janshatabdi was run by CR during the day time. After 2131 and 2132 were announced, in the recent budget, it was introduced as a Superfast with excellent arrival and departure timings at SNSI.

The beauty of the timings of 2131 was that one could go to office and then board a train late in the night, have a sound sleep and then get down at SNSI , have darshan and come back by 2132 and reach home well before evening the very next day. So effectively, it meant only one weekly off needed to be spared. Of course having a Sleeper accommodation helped as one could rest while returning back too. Plus the excitement of a day journey added to my interest.

I had booked tickets for a Monday night departure by 2131(Dadar-Sainagar Express) on 20th Dec 2010 and return by 2132 on the very next day for my mom, dad, aunty and yours truly between Kalyan Junction and SNSI. As the scheduled departure of our train from Kalyan was 22:25, we left home at 21:00 and boarded a Kalyan Slow local which terminated on Platform no 1 at Kalyan. I asked Shantanu Kulkarni for the expected platform and he messaged me back by saying that in all probability it will be pf no 5. I decided to take his advice and came down the steps of the Brand new Wide FOB at KYN. This FOB has truly done wonders in terms of crowd management and dispersal. I wonder when Thane will get something like this!

As I was accompanied by my family, the chances of doorplating were next to impossible. I very well knew this at the outset and hence had booked tickets for 2LB, 1MB and 1UB berths so that railfanning continues unhindered. I checked the reservation charts for our names and the coach position. We were in S3 which was 11th from the engine. There were announcements of Saket Express and CSTM UP local from Kasara being regulated for some time in the North-East line as there was some technical glitch in the UP line towards CSTM. Thank God, down line was clear!
There was a continuous stream of Locals arriving and departing from the platforms 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Platform no 4, 5, 6 and 7 were additionally handling Mail/Express trains. The section controllers were doing a fantastic job of maneuvering each train to their respective platforms. The station was swarming with commuters of all kinds.

Though 5 digit numbering was supposed to start from the morning of 20th Dec 2010, KYN was still using the old 4 digit system. 2527, CSTM –Latur Express came behind a KYN WDM on platform no 5. Next in line to enter was 7057 CSTM-Secundrabad Devigiri Express behind a WCAM3 on pf no 4. After 2527 departed, 7057 made its way out. The next parade of M/E trains started with 1017 Chalukya Express arriving on Pf 5 and 2322 Kolkatta Mail arriving on Pf 4 behind a customary WCAM3. The CR rake of Chalukya was extremely dirty. I was having apprehensions about the cleanliness my train 2131 will have as it was commencing its journey from Dadar too. Again, 1017 was cleared first followed by 2322.
Finally, the coach position indicators on pf 5 indicated that 2131 was indeed scheduled to arrive albeit late by 10 minutes. Surprisingly, Pune WDM3D 11176 was doing the honors of hauling our train. It was indeed heartening to see that the coach was extremely clean. We boarded the S3 coach and settled down peacefully. The train did not move till 22:47 after which we were cleared for departure. They late night food options available on the train were Veg-biryani and non-veg biryani. The TTE came and checked our e-ticket and didn’t even bother looking at the Photo-ID proof. In the meanwhile our WDM3D cleared the points out of KYN station and started speeding up really fast with our rake. As my parents were all set to sleep, I had no options, but to go to the UB and try sleeping. None of us wanted the fans working as it were very cold inside the coach. We shut the glass panes of our window as it was increasingly becoming chilly in the compartment. We were carrying enough sweaters and blankets to protect ourselves. I had dared not to wear any sweater and just lie on the UB with a blanket. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sustain myself for too long in that condition, I disturbed my mom to bring out the sweater. At 2:30 am, we came to a halt at Manmad Junction on pf no 6.

I decided to get down from my Upper berth and take the Side Lower Berth as nobody was occupying it. Also ventured out with my Dad to find the elusive Chaiwalla. Tea was literally a cup of hot sugary syrup. But that was a life saver. I enquired with the station staff, if we will be put on SCR line or sent back with reversal on the old CR line. Nobody was able to give me a clear picture, finally the starter was given and we were allowed to proceed onto the SCR line after a halt of 25 minutes.

The Ankai Killa looked stunning in the moonlight and I was happy that I will be able to catch it soon in the broad daylight again in a matter of few hours. It was freezing cold and felt like temperature was in single digits. For people like me, who has lived all his life in humid conditions of Mumbai, this was a refreshing change. We stopped at Kopargaon for 3 minutes and then a few of our fellow commuters started making a beeline to the loo to freshen up. I saw the Manmad-Daund line moving away from us after Puntumba. The next 21 kms were undertaken at a very slow speed. In all probability we were cruising at speeds below 60kmph and sometimes even 30kmph. Finally, the Night sky was getting brighter over the horizon as we were nearing the temple town of Shirdi. In fact, at 04:20, when we alighted at SNSI, it seemed like the whole city was awake. There were so many neon lights advertising the motels and lodges. We took an 8 seater auto rickshaw to the temple road. The Station is about a Km from the temple. They charge Rs 10 per seat for this 5 minute ride.

As we got down, we were swarmed by a host of sales guys from various motels for accepting their offer for wash and change facility. We decided upon one guy and followed him all the way to a small lodge where we got a decent accommodation for Rs 350 for 7 hrs as we were supposed to return back at 10:00 am to the station after the temple visit. After completing the morning chores, we entered the main decorum of the temple by 05:30 and had a peaceful darshan by 06:15am. As we had nothing else to do, we visited the museum and other related artifacts in the vicinity. We finally returned back to the station after a rather early morning breakfast. The chill in the air was still persistent.

The return journey was what I was waiting for as it was a day journey. We reached Sainagar Shirdi Station which is still clean. I managed to click a few photographs of the station, before entering the lone platform of SNSI. The only train at the station was that the one which we were supposed to board. The loco had reversed and the rake was in one of the two siding lines at the station. The platform line was empty and it had washable apron. I decided to soak in some sun and walked to the loco and clicked a few more pics of our train. One thing I like about this miniscule station is that the signages were all there and the lone canteen served some hot bread patties with branded tomato sauce. They also served batata wadas and veg sandwitches. The owner of the canteen seemed to be very optimistic with the prospects of this station growing in stature over the next few years. He believed that in a few years time, he will have trains coming to SNSI from all major cities in India.
At 09:30 the 2132 stabled on the siding line started moving ahead, only to reverse back with the rake onto the platform line. Some non reservation passengers had already occupied their seats in 2S coaches while it was idling on the siding line. Exactly at 10:00 we departed from SNSI with some devotees chanting Saibaba’s bhajan. We were running at a sedate speed. There were many speed restrictions enroute to Puntumba. A few minor bridges, a RUB had speed restrictions of 30kmph. As we joined the Mainline from Daund to Manmad Jn at Puntumba, the late night CSTM-Shirdi Passenger’s loco Pune WDM2 17987R had reversed and waiting for us to clear the single line. Look at the irony of IR, here we were returning back and there was a train which had almost left from CSTM around the same time we left KYN and it hadn’t yet reached SNSI.

As we came to a halt on the beautifully curved platforms of Kopargaon, the other platform had Howrah-Pune Azad Hind Express behind a Pune WDG3A 14810. Both of us departed in the opposite direction simultaneously. At the next unscheduled stop, we were held up for crossing by a Twin Diesel hauling the Nizamuddin-Goa Express with 187XX leading the loco pack. I turned on the GPS on my phone to just check the speeds at which we were running and it was clocking a good speed of 102-105kmph.(let’s not debate the speed as I know GPS are not very accurate in reading out speeds of moving trains). Soon it was time to spot the Ankai Killa. I am simply spell bound by its beauty and monstrous standup in an almost plateau region. I also spotted the single line diverting to Aurangabad. We were again taken on the SCR line to enter Manmad and were berthed on pf 5. Orders were being taken for food on board, but we decided to not buy anything as my mom had carried some fruits and nuts while boarding the train.

As the SCR line joins the CR lines from Bhusaval, one comes across the Passenger yard at Manmad, filled with lot of rakes and blood red liveried accident relief train. I could spot one WAP7 20207 and many WCAM3s, WAP4s and some WAMmies. Tapovan Express was already waiting with a huge load of unreserved passengers to Nanded. My view was blocked by the presence of a Container rake on the adjacent track. It was headed by a twin Diesel pack with the leading loco being the Green beauty, WDG3A 13457. By now we were delayed by 10 minutes. We had vada pav from Manmad which were too salty. I was feeling sleepy so decided to take a power nap before Igatpuri arrived. I woke after an hour to see us waiting at Nasik Road. As we were approaching Igatpuri an emergency chain pulling (ECP) brought our rake to a standstill. I could spot a few men getting down from the coaches and making their way to the adjoining villages. After a halt of 10 more minutes, we entered pf 4 at Igatpuri to see the Rajendranagar Express being cleared ahead of us from pf 3. LTT-Gorakpur 2541/2 arrived on Pf no 2. We waited at Igatpuri for more than 20 minutes and then proceeded slowly down the gradient over the majestic Thull Ghats.

We halted for the customary brake testing halts. I managed to photograph the catch siding and the famous viaducts enroute. As there were no brakers attached to our trains we were given a run through Kasara, where I could see 2 sets of WAG5 bankers awaiting duties. As we passed Umermalli cabin, saw the ERS –NZM Mangala Express cross us. Next to follow it was an MRVC rake to Kasara. We crossed the Mumbai Jabalpur Garib rath near Vasind behind the customary WCAM3.

Surprise visitor of the North-East line was the Pune-Nizamuddin Duranto Express, as it might have been diverted due to Gujjar agitation on the WR line. (Information courtesy Mumbai IRFCANs) We crossed the Aurangabad Janshatabdi behind a diesel link at Titwala. We entered Pf 6 at KYN at 15:29 delayed by 40 minutes. I was more than happy to arrive on pf 6 as pf 7 had an MRVC local waiting to depart at 15:33 for CSTM.We boarded the local without wasting any more time. After 2132 cleared the points we were given the go-ahead. I could see the Sinhagad Express to Pune arriving on Pf 4 at KYN. Got down at Dombivali and took an auto to reach home.

It was a fulfilling trip and I expect more and more people to chuck the dangerous road trips to Shirdi and take the pleasant journeys to SNSI via the 2131/2. More importantly the timings are excellent for an overnight journey and return back the next day by afternoon.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

4 days, 2 trains, 1 rake and 1 faithful loco


Dear Friends,
Have been very busy in the office lately, so couldn’t blog my journey properly. I have tried to note down all the points of my journey. Some pictures have been uploaded on the Openline.

The plan was to board the 2201 LTT-KCVL Garib-rath from LTT and travel till Trichur(TCR) and return back by 2202 on the very next day with my aunt. I start with the afternoon shift in office the previous night.


On 9th Dec left office late @ 23.00hrs.Reached Cstm by 2315.The last Ambarnath fast was late,came in at 2325, and left at 2328.
Crawled from Parel 2 Dadar behind the Konkan Kanya Express.
We were put on slow track from Thane.
Reached Dombivali at 00.30 and managed to reach home at 0040 and went to sleep at 0200 after packing bags.
Got up at 0445 & left at 0545 for office again !
Abhishek Tamhankar smsed me about a ACDC local getting stuck at Nahur.
I took the 0611 local and got down at Thane.Crossed to platform No 1, and boarded 6.52 slow to cstsm, reached at
0750.
Saw the cylinder blast site near the concourse.
Reached office by 0810.
Work was normal.
Copied some movies to my new cell for watching during my night travel in Garib-rath..
Had lunch and left at 1420.
Took the 1451 Karjat fast to Kurla.
Saw some slewing and alignment work near platform 5,6 at CSTM.
Reached Kurla at 1510, decided to walk to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
Took 15 minutes to do so.
Saw the erstwhile pf 9 and the still existing phatak near Kurla startion on the way.
Saw the first double decker flyover in India under construction.
Bought platform ticket 4 my colleague, who accompanied me to LTT.
2201 LTT-Kochuveli Garib Rath was on pf 1.
Wdm3a 17894 alongwith a Wcam3 was seen idling on pf 3.
We walked the entire length of pf to see coach configuration.
Messaged the details of coach configuration to Shantanu Kulkarni.
My Dad was supposed to give me a 2nd bag @ Thane.
Mom was also supposed to come to Thane by commuting by the 0430 fast from Cstm bound for Badlapur.
The real scare was of Dad not picking up his phone even after more than 10 calls.
In the meanwhile Mom called up my neighbour to check the lock on our door.
It was locked. Then finally Dad called up to say that he was at Thane and coulnt hear the phone as it was in his pants
pockets and in a silent mode.
We left at 0459pm and came to a halt at the outskirts of Vidyavihar.
After a halt of 5 minutes, we soon joined the mainline and speeded up.
Reached Thane at 5.25pm.Finally, met mom and dad.
After a good lesson on safe travelling, and then I boarded the train back.
The next shocker was awaiting me. While shifting my clothes from office bag to travel bag, I recollect seeing my e-ticket but somehow it got misplaced.
I was of the opinion that I had a bad omen to start with.
After searching for more than 15 minutes,i gave up and decided to reproduce only my id card and pay a fine of Rs.50.
I had never done such a thing in my life.
I was sweating in an AC compartment.
Finally after sitting on my window seat, i just decided to resign to my fate.
Then out of the blue, i decided to look on the side of my seat.and there i found it, finally bringing some peace to my mind.
I couldn’t bother doing railfanning during this period.
I did see the DMU at Diva Jn.
Also when we reached Panvel, saw Trivandrum-Nizamuddin Rajdhani arriving on pf 7.
We were berthed on pf 6 and stayed put from 1825 to 1840.
Reached Pen at 1910 for a crossing. I think it could have been Mandovi Express. Left Pen at 1920 and again came to a stop @ 1940 for an overtake by unknown express.
Came to halt at Kolad at 20.30 for 2052 Madgaon-Mumbai Janshatabdi crossing.
Getting blankets was a task as people had already ventured to G1 to collect it as it was chilly in the Ac compartments.
By the time i could procure one, only bedsheet was available,rented it for Rs.10.
Had my dinner of Chicken biryani and gave my lower berth to an elderly couple.
Chill was acceptable as AC temperature was kept high on request of passengers.
We were continously hitting good speeds on the KR section in the night.
Could fainty here tunnels and viaducts passing by.
Finally after 4-5 fake waking ups from sleep, finally my alarm rang at 0530.
Got up and saw Bhatkal going through without stoppage.
I decided to freshen up and by the time I was ready to hit the door,it was 0600.
By that time,Shiroor and Byndoor must have passed.
We were slowing down to halt at Bijoor for a 2 minute halt.
My coach was 12th from the engine, so I rushed in through the vestibules right upto the J2 coach, which was 2nd from the engine.
Scenary inside J2 was like a refugee camp.
People were sleeping, rather trying to sleep in all possible positions.
We saw a freight with twin WDG4 crossing us at Bijoor.
We passed blasting through the first station after Bijoor, Senapura in all glory.
At Kundapura, Ernakulam-Rajkot express was waiting for our crossing on the platform line behind an Ernakulam WDM3A.
As the expected crossing was already negotiated, we were not expected to halt at Barkur.
Both LPs were showing flasher lights to stations passing by.
The crossing was for Trivandrum-Nizamuddin Rajdhani hauled by the dual cab green WDP3A.
Again the rake was mixed livery of red,cream and BSNL3G Ads.
There were a lot of student crowd waiting at Udupi to board the Rajdhani.
We had reached Udupi late by 45 minutes and we were made to overtake a double headed bcna rake with WDG4
through a loop line.
By the time we reached kankanadi, we were almost on time reaching there by 0810.
After crew change we left at 0830.
We were made to wait as an unknown express had left before us.
Before the netravathi river we were made to stop and then proceed at slow speed, its still a single line.
Trusses are ready on the banks, waiting deployment. Soon we passed the triangle to Mangalore Central.
Now there was no stopping as we overtaked the rake which had proceeded before us as we were in a bouble line
section by now.
Reached Kasargod late only by 10minutes.
At Nileshwar saw BCNA-HS rake.
We reached Kannur delayed by only 15 minutes.
At Kannur, I had 3 Medu vadas at Rs18. the only options inside the train was Bread omlette and Upma. I dont like both
of them.
We were on platform no 1 and Yeshwantpur-Kannur rake was stabled on pf 2.
We left in 5 minutes.
At Etakkot, again saw blue liveried BCNA-HS rake.
Saw many freight rakes at West Hill
And we slowed down to enter Kozhikode to enter pf1 on right time at 1150.
Ordered for Chicken Biryani which came in as early as 1115.Food items sold at Kozhikode included parotha, egg curry.
Kozhikode had the Kannur_Kozhikode_Charavattur passenger in one of the pf lines.
We were made to travel at 20kmph over the infamous Kadalundi bridge.
Reached Tirur before time at 1235 and left at 1240.
Saw Trivandrum-Kozhikode janshatabdi coaches entering Tirur and they were vinyl warapped with Joy-Alukkas
Jewellary
I was sure of reaching Shornur before time as our line was clear ahead and only Karakad to Shornur was predominantly
single line.
We were made to slow down near Pallipuram and halt at Karakad as we were running before time.
I managed to click some wonderful pictures of trains on the curve.
we have Bharatapuzha for company on side and paddy fields on the other side.
After a halt of 5 min we were allowed to proceed on the single line.
Some sleepers have been laid near Shornur for the incomplete doubling work.
As we were entering Shornur, saw the Nilambur line joining us from the left.
On the right was a coach maintenance facility.
As we entered the pf, adjacent track had Venad express scheduled for departure towards Trivandrum from Shornur
after us.
The other pf had Mangalore_Chennai Egmore express which shared rake with Chennai Egmore_ Thiruchirapalli Express.
We had reached 10 minutes before time.
Food times were sold like hot cakes at 1330.
At Shornur saw a First Class coach and Janshatabdi styled AC ChairCar in Venad express.
We were welcomed by rains in Shornur which continued till Vallatol nagar.
Bharatapuzha had more sand that water as always.
Chennai egmore must have had a loco change as it left before us.
We had a crew change at Shornur and left late by 10 minutes.
The windows had a lot of dirt on them.
I did try to clean my window but there was moisture between the two glasses, making it impossible to have a clear
view.
We passed Wadakancheri at good speed and reached Trichur late only by 5 minutes.
I alighted right in front of the Station entrance, made my way out and took an auto to my place and in 10minutes
I was at home. Auto fares are very high in Kerala.



Now its time for plotting the return journey from Trichur to Thane by 2202 KCVL-LTT Garib rath. Here it goes...


I was returning back from Trichur (TCR) by 2202. Though our house is just 2kms away from the station, i insisted on leaving home by 1230pm for a 1415 departure of 2202, so that I could indulge in some railfanning at TCR.
After taking an auto to the station and reaching there by 1240, I saw that our train was scheduled to arrive on pf 2.
I had travelled by 2201 a day back and was fully aware of its coach configuration, yet checked G1 to be 3rd from the engine.
As we ventured on the pf1,6346 Netravathi express from LTT to TVC arrived at TCR behind WAP4 # 22619.
Kollam-Kakinada Spl came behind a WAG5.
Advertisements on stairs existed at TCR, which was introduced in Mumbai region a few months ago.
Washable apron was being made on pf 3 as Guruvayur Shuttles from TCR uses it as a terminal pf.
Parshuram Express came with behind a WAP4.
It had Non AC First Class and ACCCs, C1 & C2.
Next to come in was Sabari express behind another ED WAP4 @1332 and left at 1340.
A Sabarimala Spl bound for Secundrabad came behind a WAG7.Some swamis made last minute scramble to enter the GS coaches as they were caught unawares of the trains as it arrived without any destination boards and announcements.
Our 2202 came behind the same ERS WDM3A 17894, I had footplated a day back while coming by 2201.
It came and left dot on time.
I had booked 2 Lower Berth seats via IRCTC, so eased into them and bid goodbye to TCR.
We had a maharashtrian family of 4 besides us.
They were touring Kerala 2nd time in the last 5 years, it seemed that they had a liking for the God's Own Country.
We have a crew change at Shornur(SRR) and a stoppage time of 25 minutes.
We reached SRR at 1450 and left at 1515.
WDM18600 came to SRR with TVC Janshatabdi. Its got be one of the longest JS in India, if not the longest.
We reached Tirur at 1600 and left after a 2 minute halt.
As we reached Kozhikode(CLT) i ventured out to procure some Halwa and banana chips for office friends.
We were halted at Parapanagadi and Mahe before coming to halt at Kannur delayed by 15 minutes.
We left in 5 minutes.
We had stopped at Kanhagad too. It seemed that the train was not enjoying the priority it enjoyed while coming.
I thought we will be late in reaching Kasargod, but we reached there delayed only by 5min.
Had dinner of chk biryani. Aunty had veg biryani. The only other option available was chappati & korma.
We were ready to sleep as I went to G7 to procure blankets and pillow along with bedsheets.
We reached Mangalore junction at 2030. We have a crew change here.
We had a small mice for company, as it used to run around the coach every now and then.
Went to sleep on Middle berth as we had a older lady in the bay. Offered her my Lower Berth.
This family had a tour of kerala and were distant relatives of Chaitanya Gokhale.
As I was carrying Samit's Latest Atlas, i was doing great in predicting the next stations and the possible crossings. The father of the family was engaging with me in some fruitful conversation about IRFCA, what we do and how i bought this book online. Thats when his son told me that they had a railfan in their family called " Chaitanya" and i completed him by saying, isnt he, Chaitanya Gokhale, Pune. They were amazed.
I got up at 0545 and found myself at Ratnagiri. On the adjacent platform was a passenger. I think it could be the Ratnagiri-Dadar passenger.
We left at 0555 and passed through some fantastic tunnels and bridges on the way.
At savarde we crossed a WDM3D hauled Ro-Ro service.
Came to an unscheduled halt at Kamathe at km marker 138.
Though there was no crossing we left in 5minutes.
Crossed an unknown express at chiplun with 3AC coaches.
We blasted through Khed at 0723. It has a new FOB and a ROB.
I decided to do some prediction in terms of crossing we were supposed to witness before reaching Panvel.
I sticked my neck out and announced ttat we will have atleast 4 crossing before Panvel.
Came to a halt at Vinhere at 0745 for a crossing by WDP3A hauled Nizamuddin-Trivandrum Rajdhani. Soon after that we left at 0755.
Upma and bread omlette were the only options for breakfast.
We came to a halt at Roha at 0850. Saw a WDG4 12265 with BCNA rakes.
After a GOC WDM2A hauled in the Diva-Sawantwadi passenger, we moved ahead on our journey.
We slowed down at Nagothane. Saw some incomplete viaduct, rock cuttings,and then were halted at Kasu for a crossing by 20036 hauled Mandovi express.
There seems to be more work done in Pen- Panvel section than in Pen- Roha section.
We crossed Mangala Express at Apta.
Sleepers have been laid here.we crossed Diva-Roha passenger hauled by Kalyan WDM3G at Somatne.
Reached Panvel at 10.20am and left at 1030. bid fond farewell to Mr. Kulkarni's family with the promise tat they will inform Chaitanya Gokhale about our Journey.
I was ready to get down at Thane after Dativali Curve went past us.
Luckily we were given a run through Diva and managed to join the Mainline as the EMU was delayed.
We were crawling through the entire Parsik tunnel as a TSR of 20KMph existed at the mouth of the tunnel for track work.
By the time we came to a halt on pf 6 at Thane, the 1123 Badlapur fast from Pf 5 left. As we were not carrying a great deal of luggage, i managed to go to pf 2 and take a Kalyan local to Dombivli.
Thus bringing to an end of a whirlwind tour of Kerala in 4 days, 2 trains, 1 rake and ofcourse 1 faithful loco ERS WDM3A 17894.