Had been to Lonavla Station yesterday evening. This is one of my all time favorite station. The sun had set and cool breeze had started to enter the narrow lanes of this hill station. The station had is routine moderate chaos with people hurriedly running to catch their desired train. Just then DQ entered the platform with celebration mood. The loco was decorated with lights and the musically honking entry brought the dull station to life. The Queen was celebrating the retirement of some officer. After a short halt for a minute, the train proceeded to Pune. Indrayani was no less punctual in departing.
After the departure of both landmark trains, the station was left in the dark silence with pair...
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of 3 bankers. Bankers…Waggie 5 and 7 as they are suppose to be. Standing silent. And among that group of those typically brown painted and tiger-faced 6 locos one was different. I went close by and to my shock…it was a painted as "WCAM2P [AC Traction]". My heart missed a beat. Since my childhood I have been seeing WCAM`s as a AC/DC loco. I use to wonder on the amazing machine operating on AC and DC traction both. And to add, WCAM was a special exclusive feature of CR Mumbai region. With AC power reaching LTT and trail runs up to CSTM, everyone is happy. People are longing to see WAP7 and 5 at CST. But at the same time our unique dual mode friend is wiped out. The existing WCAM is also getting converted to AC only. A day will come when we will have fast running WAP7 or may be even 8 and 9. But the service of WCAM in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges, their blue yellow livery will be missed. Changing from AC panto to DC will not be seen. Neutral Zone will vanish. The towing of grand old historic trains like the Deccan Queen or the Punjab Mail or may it be Howrah Mail will no more be done by these Royals. Their domination over the historic station of CST will be over. AN ERA WILL BE OVER !!! I just hope that these gentlemen’s are not abruptly or rudely scrapped but retired respectfully just like the officer I saw being respectfully retired in the Deccan Queen few minutes back.