The evening sun lowered at the horizon, as the train ran through the green fields. The WAP1 of Erode Shed was in lead, taking with it a sleeping WAP7 . The coaches swayed at the speed as the darkness started to spread. The coach was almost empty with exception of very few passengers. LB, LB , SLB ticket was the booking for three of us . The 2 halts passed by without adding much to crowd, thanks to non presence of UR. 2S was packed with multiple bookings, as even short distance require booking now

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overbridge crossed over as we passed through the entire PF-1 at good speed , the driver applying the brakes in the end to bring it to the halt. Being in the 3rd coach from loco has ifs own benefits of enjoying such rides.

About 30% of coach for our train boarded here, noone in our bay. After a few minutes halt, we left soon from Kumbakonam

The motormen special DMU waited for us as we sped through the mainline . Darkness had completely enveloped us and the lights of the highway and streetlights joined us for company. We had a few slow runs enroute, giving us a slight delay. The bridges over the tributaries and canals.of Kaveri, fed by the Aadiperukku water released from dams were despatched in the darkness.


The line joined us from the left indicating the arrival of Thanjvaur junction. Slowly entered into PF-1 and a huge crowd was waiting for the train, delayed by almost 10 mins . Our bay was occupied with a couple with 2 children . We slowly started moving out , and we craned to see the Brihadeeshwara temple , well illuminated with the lights, as the train picked up speed.


The younger of of the two suddenly took a liking , calling Mama , Mama for every inch of activity, that for sometime I forgot there was a window and I need to gaze out. Gulped down the last sip of tea and went to throw the paper cup, ensuring from my eye to prevent the child from following. The father ensured the same, but when I returned, I found the 2 little eyes still searching for me . Back to square one

We soon crossed Budalur , and the empty rake of Uzhavan bound to TJ post maintainence crossed us fast. Opened our packed Idly - onion chutney from home and gulped it down in meantime, as my little friend gulped down her dinner. We proceeded to Thiruverumbur in meantime and after a quick stop go, proceeded slowly past the Golden Rock station .

An elderly uncle came straight and asked us if it was S-12. Yes we replied, for which he kept the luggage in the SUB and said he will return shortly. We slowed down shortly to pull into TPJ PF-2 at 2015, 10 mins ahead of schedule

Waited for the boarding crowd to clear and got off the train. Advantage of being in last bay to have relaxed deboarding. Passengers seemed to board more orderly at TJ where it was 10 mins delayed and had only 2 mins halt. There was a chaotic boarding at TPJ

Searched for plain milk on platform with vendors, but met with negative reply. Went all the way till S3 searching with vendors and stalls and returned back when as last option decided to try one opposite to S11. The stall was crowded while going but now it was empty.

Milk available sir was downed by announcement for Rockfort being shunted onto PF-1 and Pallavan to enter on PF-5. Announcement went for the arrival of Kollam Chennai express on PF-4. WAP7 still stayed sleeping and coupled with us, while the WAP1 was detached and went off to PF end. The hot milk was served to mom while me and dad stood near window

Maaaaama... The voice came from window and I looked back. The smile was fresh as to having found something but suddenly turned dejected . Unable to recognise .. Of course , she saw me all the while with the mask on ( dinner time she was on other side ) and now with mask down she felt I was not same. Gulped down last sip of milk and put on my mask again, bringing the smile .

Oh you should have seen the tension, said my Mom. Maama has gone away somewhere without even informing and Thatha also went ( My dad ). I was like oh you missed me so much.

The signal moved to green and me and Dad boarded . A diesel now joined us at the other end, and we would be farthest away from the loco for some time .

A young couple had boarded at TPJ and had seated in the main bay and now my friend had become their friend. To stay put for sometime , I occupied the SLB SUB berth . There were already 8 people in our bay & plus uncle... Any upgradation?? Wrong ticket ??

Dad then said the uncle came and there was an arguement while I was on the platform. The Uncle was overconfident that the last berth at the end would be only 72, while in reality it was 8. 2 passengers claiming hold over same berth and then one had to return.

My little friend was now too engrossed with new found friends that she forgot about me. We slowly chugged into Trichy Fort station, the stairs of the Rockfort slightly visible. Not many boarding here and RPF instructing everyone to close the doors

We slowly started and I went to the door to position myself for witnessing the Gopuram of Srirangam. After a small hide and seek with the trees , the gopuram came into full view across river Kaveri, as the Road crossed the river. Illuminated in the night light, a beautiful sight among the darkness. Stayed at the door still the view disappeared and back to seat after latching same

Time to put up the berths, put them up and settled in the SLB, as Dad replied we will stay awake till Karur. Watched through the night lights, enjoying the speed , as the buses on the Highway gave us company. " Salem" beamed a TNSTC bus on highway .

After a quick stop start at Kulithalai, we were going at good speed. For some unknown reasons , S8 to S12 of this Mysore express always lacks a TTE on return . RAC passengers adjusted themselves in SLB , as confirmed passengers went off to sleep.

My friend was in no mood to sleep, and with train rocking, she found it better to enjoy than sleep. Offered them the SLB in place of MB, which they politely refused. My daughter won't sleep till 2AM, they replied

Saw the line joining on our right coming from Dindigul, indicating our arrival into Karur , about 10 mins before schedule. Dad offered to take SLB citing height issues for me, while I settled in LB.

We were past our scheduled time of departure, but hadn't got the proceed yet. A pulling sound was heard, as a freight train proceeded in opposite. The announcement went for the arrival of Coimbatore Nagercoil express, indicating the reason for our delay .

Passengers Kind attention please... Train number 06188 to Ernakulam is ready to leave PF-3 blared the announcement waking me up. The time was 2315 and we had arrived into Erode 20 mins ahead of schedule as the Karaikkal Ernakulam express was given the starter . We were allotted PF-2

Erode & night announcement always go together and loud speaker was blaring loud with advertisement. But sadly though , the changed name of Chennai Central created a essay of words, for most trains were bound to Chennai. So came in the first of announcement for 02602 " Dr. Puratchi Tahalaivar MG Ramachandran Central " bound express from Mangalore to Dr. Puratchi Tahalaivar MG Ramachandran Central arriving shortly in 3 languages , followed by the coach position for the train with the same repitition, the train entering, standing and departing with the same repitition. Even a person who stayed during MGR era wouldn't have heard the name so many times. Immediately after this came the announcement for the Allepey Chennai express with all the repitition as above

The announcement went on for the entering of 06235 Tuticorin Mysore express onto PF-3 , again 20 mins ahead of schedule. The loco has now positioned ahead of our coach again and gave a loud honk, our time to proceed. We departed slowly and I waited for the crossing of Kaveri bridge . Dhung dhung dhung dhung the bridge crossed at high speed as I went off to sleep. The time was ticking close to midnight..


Screeech screeech screech... The braking was getting released as I woke up sleepily. Time was 435AM and lights shown over. We were slowly picking up speed on mainline at Baiyappanhalli . Saw SLB and my dad was awake. Shall we get down at BNC I asked him

Yes yes, entrance will be closer, we will get down, for we have weight of sambhar onions , cashew also to tbe dragged , said my dad. Woke up mom as we approached BNCE. Why so early , she asked. Well to go home and sleep I said. Atrocious reaching early she said and got up, as we folded the bedsheets. The tracks points has cleared and we came to a halt on PF-1 of BNC. Saw the opposite berth, my little friend still fast asleep, as her mom asked " which station "?? Cantt I replied dragging the suitcase..

Thanks for reading !!