Trip Report- The shortest distant SF
Ever since we came to Bangalore in 1998, visiting Mysore was always on cards, majorly for sightseeing. Though various trains were used for the same, the Legendary Superfast since MG days, and the connector to the Southern Metro of chennai via the Brindavan, the Tippu Express, was never used
On 08th May, while my sister had to join the PG course in Mysore, I chanced upon the idea to drop her and catch the SF for return to enjoy a chance. So a KSRTC bus journey...
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in morning to Mysore and dropping her in college by 9:15AM, ensured I still had 2 hours with me. After a small Busfanning session at Mysore bus stand and winessing the parade of buses to Bangalore for an hour , took a City bus at 1030 and reached Mysore sttaion by 10:40
Went to the ticket counter and paid Rs. 75/- for the ticket, costliest among the ordinaries on this section but still cheaper than the ordinary KSRTC by Rs.50/-. Tippu, the priority train for Mysore, was on Pf-1. Named after the Sultan of Srirangapatna, Tippu Sultan, and a connector for the SF Brindavan, Tippu always had only one goal- One stop at the district HQ/Sugar Belt of KA, Mandya on its 140kms run compared to 7 halts for all other regular expresses. And the pioneer, sharing rakes with 2 other intercities at SBC end, 16205/06 and 12725/26 has its PM at Mys. And Pf-1 its regular allotment, which post Tippu departure will be reserved for the incoming 12007 Shatabdi from Chennai
PF-1 had me in shock. Tippu, the least contender for passengers except for end to end passengers was completely occupied. And there was still 30 mins to departure. I walked ahead to the loco, and the 1st UR (behind the SLR) still had the windows unoccupied. boarded the coach and setlled in a window on the 3+3 seating arrangement. WDP-4D of KJM 40246 was the lead. On the pitline 20007 waited for shunting the 17307 Basava rake. D1 was fully occupied and C1 had about 40% occupancy
The display board indicated the late running of incoming 16536 golgumbaz and 56214 TPTY Fast passenger. at 11:10 the engine start up was head.. notching up slowly burning its fuel. at 11:18 we got the starter and the loco gave its twin horn and proceeded
We proceeded slowly clearing the points and started accelerating, crossing a SWR sleeper coach cut below the windows with markings near the door stating "to be scrapped" only to stop at a red ahead. The signal quickly changed and we accelerated but maintained a steady 60 to Naganhalli. Cautions welcomed us nearing Palahalli and we maintained a slow speed to almost a stop when the signal indicated a go ahead. As we entered Palahalli, UBL WDP-4 200xx went past with slight late running 16536 from Solapur
As we cleared Palahalli points, we ventured into the last of the remaining single line section, which is also nearing completion. After a speed restriction on Paschimavahini bridge, the engine beaming sound was heard as we met the Station board of Srirangapatna. LP wasted no time in accelerating and the Srirangapatna was glided through by the Tippu. The armoury of the sultan, now lying a bit away from the platform was crossed across
Post Srirangapatna, the LP were in high notch. We quickly crossed the Lokapavani and entered into the Pandavapura, a stop for all long trains which cannot be accommodated at Srirangapatna owing to bridges at both the ends of the station. We curved past, as a Flat bed rake with sleepers and a OHE equipment occupied the sidings. Men were standing over the OHE, fixing the wires to the poles. Work in full progress. Gulped down a cup of tea in the meantime. the TV's were showing some comedy scenes but the picture tube seemed to have been spoilt and the dialogues couldnt be heard in the train speed.
The tracks literally burnt under the wheels and the loco honk blasted through the ears. KJM WDG-3A came on the opposite side with the late running 56214 from TPTY running full. We quickly blasted the region, filled with fields from the little water that Kaveri and its canals gave and true to the name, it as Sultan setting the tracks on fire. at 12:05, 50 mins into the journey, we pulled into the only halt of our section, Mandya, 45 kms run from Mysore
Mandya to had its share of crowd, thanks to the summer holidays, All coaches were now filled with standees.The display board showed 16558 arriving at 12:34 while 56232 arriving at 13:34. For a second i was in shock.. A passenger getting delayed on this route was highly impossible.. 1 hr late is surely something wrong for this passenger is a reason why 12007 reaches Mysore 10-15 mins late as SWR doesnt allow an overtake
Post Maddur, and track giving full clearance, we were at full swing. Hanakere was blasted past with the opposite signal still red. We slowed down to glide through Maddur where WDP-4 hauled 12007 shatabdi from Chennai went past at lightning speed. Post Maddur, we crossed the Shimsha bridge, a reason why Maddur Settihally took a longer time for doubling compared to Mandya Maddur section.
Maddur marked the completion of half distance and time was 12:25..We went through Settihalli and as we exited the station, KJM WDG-3A twins came in with tthe 16658 Rajya Rani, running terribly late. The Cauvery tributaries crossed, so with lesser bridges, Tippu was the actual king now. MPS on this section is higher compared to Mysore Maddur(Majorly restricted to 75-80) and we now neared the 3 digit marked. As we approached the "Land of wooden toys Channapatna" 17307 Basava following the 2 priority trains with WDP-4B 40057 went past. The 76526 Kolar Channapatna DMU was resting on PF-1
As we went blasting, we approached the silk town "Ramanagaram" more famous for Gabbar Singh and Basanti of sholay movie. The 56232 waited here with the WDP4 at lead slowly moving out. At Ramanagarm outer, KJM WDG-3A went light towards RMGM, may be in search for a replacement for some train.
The SH-17 came close as we thundered past km 31 mark into Bidadi and for once again, the road was on our right. We overtook all the vehicles on the road and as we came past a KSRTC bus, i was wonderstruck. KA-10-F-0333 doing Mysore-Bangalore and KA-13-F-2213 doing K.R.Nagar-Bangalore. Both these buses had left Mysore before I had taken the city bus to Railway station, (ALmost an hour before Tippu departure) and here was Tippu, racing past both of them in quick succession. So much for paying a fare at 50% of the bus charge. As i was thinking , Rajarajeshwari college and NICe Road came into my view signalling our approach into KGI. I looked at the watch.. 1:07PM.. 1hr 50 mins run for 125 kms seriously a good run @ 60+ speed. We slowly went past KGI and came to a stop at Nayandahalli for signal clearance, while i got down and made way to the ring road to catch the bus home
Tippu the Sultan!!!! for Mysore-Bangalore section!!1