Cont'd
Error rectification- WAP7 RPM with Brindavan on PF-5 awiated proudly- Now was the time for her departure and in the process leading over the Dhanbad- in 2 hrs 15 mins accomplishing the descent, she gives a proud horn and leaves
Well 17313 was a Mail/Express- and has taken 3 hrs 25 mins to cover 210 km averaging at 60 kmph- Which meant we were ahead of schedule at JTJ by full 25 mins...
Few...
more... minutes into our arrival, came in the stallion WAP7 of RPM-7 hauling the close to time running Sanghamithra onto PF-2- the SWR rake looked at the zone mate who had made her follow for 210 kms was now proud... Caterers proudly went through our train and had a gulp of vadas.. Sanghamithra gave me confidence to run to nearest shop for a bottle of limca to gulp down after the long blistering afternoon... Signal was as red as a tomato and freights occupied the every available corner of JTJ
2 mins after arrival, Sanghamithra departed. Simultaneously bells went and 13352 too got the starter- Well it was only a time being before the other comes chasing the crawler down
Barely had 13352 crossed the points that the announcement went again- Came in the agressive schedule superfast at 17:37 hrs behind the White stallion of RPM again.. 12679 in 3 hrs 7 mins for 214 kms A schedule if given to legend Brindavan would have reached SBC in 5.5 hrs flat giving shatabdi a run for money... The priority beauty entered slowly onto PF-1 with muthoot finance corp ads all over and exactly 2 mins later was given the starter to proceed.. At 17:50 hrs, we too got the starter and WAP1 started pulling us towards the West having to ascend almost 500 mtrs more in the given 150 kms...
As we pulled out, the sun decided to call it a day and started pulling itself down to take rest. As we cleared the points, ED WAP4 pulled in with the 22620 TEN-BSP Superfast with my dad asking "What""""- where did a train from TEN land at JTJ?? then gave him the explanation for the route of this train to which he grinned considering all possiblities of shorter routes to JTJ from TEN- WAP1 showed power as we crossed the points while my whatsapp tone honked- Manoj a RF from SBC messaged that 22618 TPTY-SBC has reached km 210 and is barely 8 kms away from us - Well now someone again to prove we are an Express...
Somanayakkapatti was blazed past and as we slowed down, I understood we have reached for the next encounter.. Patchur was the approaching station and we were asked to get into the loop line, the main line showing red..A dog on the opposite track happily munches something scaring me of approaching train. time was 1815 hrs and 5 minutes post our arrival Main line starter turned green... i went to the door to wave at Manoj who was all set to take over me
Paaaaam... Paaaaammm.. echo all sides- I leaned forward- light visible at quite a distance but honk was louder- Wait..... I immediately turned my neck to opposite- RPM WAP7 again blasted past with 12007 MAS bound shatabdi on opposite descending the plateau.. Same time ED WAP4 came in opposite side behind our tail with the 22618 SBC superfast and blowing dust all over us and waving to Manoj, it was all over in secs.... Time was 1827 hrs
5 mins past the blasting king, starter still remained red... checked out trainenquiry and go to know the culprit- 22351 Pataliputra (Danapur)-YPR had left JTJ at 18:22 hrs meaning within next 10 mins he was supossed to be here,,, Well resigned to fate in the interiors stretched my leg on the LB.. Dad asked- "What happened""-Said 22351 Pataliputra coming- Dad- "Oh Sangha clone- Bagmati slot right" I nodded- Bagmati was seen on the day we went by 12658 to MAS and dad has now added 1+1=2
Time ticked-- kept moving- 1838 hrs mainline starter turns green again- 1843 hrs come in the honk again- Again a WAP4 again a SF- 22351 blasts past us and leaves the silence that was present earlier.. The dog returns back and munches- No idea where it went in the gap
Time ticked... LC open.... LC closed now- WAG9 blasts on opposite side with a BCNA- LC opens again.... after 5 more minutes Lc closes- 18:55 hrs.. Pitch dark all over.... Twillight is now street light..... Signal turns green... We get to proceed...
WAP1 is now completely lost the cool- sons and grandsons have overtaken ... WAP1 needs to show who he is...Accelerates- compl;etely from nowhere- 0-30-45-55-60-75 no mood to stop- Uphill terrain- I dont care attitude.. the SWR stations are left baffled thinking a Gatimaan has suddenly jumped over them- TN crossed- AP entered- borders crossed- maintaining steady speed of about 80... Crossed Kuppam 19:18 hrs... Still moving... WAP4 hauled 16315 Kochuveli goes in opposite- tata bye bye... WAG5 freight occupies the available space in middle.... Tiem needs to be made up... Unknown loco crosses with the 16520 Jolarpettai Express...Slow down... Line from MKM joins from right- slowly moves onto the Island platform.. puff puff... 1937 hrs and we are at BWT....
the crowds have taken all available trains to SBC and barely handful of people left- Majorly BWT-DVG/UBL bookings... 2 minutes later and we are off.. Leaving BWT late by 45 mins but then thats why slack is for
Blasts starts again.... All stations seriously wondering- BWT outers getting blasted.... Malur again.. MKM bound Swarna pass pulls across- Devangonthi, whitefield flies past.. slkow down at Satellite.. sedate run... pull,.. change tracks... PF-4 of KJM- Fantastic run... Last 45 kms was an awesome run....Time 2016 hrs delayed by 7 mins.... Train empties itself onto Pf-4 as people waiting for UBL leg board.... Bye bye KJM.... Bye 17313 it was wonderful... PF-3. sees arrival of 12864 HWH Superfast jam packed to its max thanks to Durga pooja... Came outside... Bus waiting...
Thanks for reading.....
Foot note.. 22618 was trolled in this way and as we got down at KJM news came in that 22618 had just cleared BNCE and proceeding towards BNC... So much for waiting 30 mins after the SF went....