Part - 2 : Looping, looping and looping.
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For those who have not read part - 1 : /blog/post/5963414
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As I board the train and went to my berth to see that...
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my bay was still not changed into seats from berth and all were sleeping tight in my bay. I was not ready to sleep and wanted to enjoy the day journey in mainline after a very long time (could have been more than 3 years from now), went to a next bay where a track sided side lower and side upper remained unoccupied. As I occupy the side lower, felt a jerk customary for LHB rakes, indicating departure of our train that halted for less than 2 minutes here.
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After clearing multiple points and entering the main line, the white stallion, which was towing our train for that day, accelerated quite well and attained MPS within we cross the city limits. Our train traversing through lush greenery in the orangish yellow early morning sunlight at full speed, was a visual treat for me. As I was enjoying this, our train crossed thittai, pandaravadai in no time and skipped papanasam in just 20 minutes after departing from Thanjavur. After few minutes of crossing papanasam, our train started decelerating steadily, and I realised that our train was looped at sundaraperumal kovil, only after our train was looped at platform 2. Reckoning that it was for crossing with Salem express from mayiladuthurai, checked it's running status at WIMT, and it deciphered that it has just crossed thiruvidaimarudhur by then, and this having around 5 halts before it reaches the crossing station where our train is looped, took its own time to arrive at platform - 1 with some random WAP - 4 in lead, which was around 20 minutes since we were halted for a crossing. Our train gave a customary jerk after this arrived, indicating the departure.
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Once we cleared the line and picked up speed, crossed suburb station of Kumbakonam and our train gave a speedy entry at mainline platform of kumbakonam, and it was 2 minutes, 5 minutes and there was no signs of our train to take off from Kumbakonam. As I was sensing that it should be for the Thanjavur bound passenger from mayiladuthurai, and it made entry in a short while at platform 2 with an off link, a raipur based WAG - 7, with same locomotive that i spotted the same train a few days back. People deboarding that passenger train, being lazy enough to cross the platform through the foot over bridge, crossed through our train which halted in a double discharge platform. Just imagine the scenario if our train has immediately taken off from the mainline and double discharge platform immediately after arrival of Thanjavur passenger. Anyways, even after arrival of Thanjavur passenger, our train stopped for few more minutes before taking off, sensing that the crew understood this. So the 2 minute halt at Kumbakonam now extended easily to more than 5 minutes and due to a crossing, it took the time which is usually taken by a passenger train between Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
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The train kept maintaing full speed, after our train sprinted from mainline platform at Kumbakonam steadily, skipping stations enroute at maximum speed, untill we slow down and slowly loop at platform 2 of kuthalam. This time, it was 0805 hrs at the morning. Reckoning that it should be the RSA of the same LHB train i witnessed in the morning when I entered the station, checked the WIMT for the running status. Still there was 5 more minutes for the same to depart from the source. So, realising that it should take 20 more minutes for this crossing, hopped down the train, strolled towards pantry car. They had two options for breakfast, either Pongal - sambhar or Upma with tomato sauce. I opted for the latter, which sounded quite weird, got it along with the water bottle and a snack platter, that contained a samosa, an aalu bhaji and dhal vada, and went back to my coach. Took some time to savour all the food i brought, except for the tomato sauce. After 20 minutes of halt, Erode diesel shed based brand new WAP -7 was strolling with the RSA of the LHB train i met early this morning when I went to the station, departing from platform - 3 of Thanjavur. After that train arrives, we get starter and our train was slowly making its way towards mayiladuthurai junction.
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As we maintained a decent speed till mayiladuthurai outers, after which we decelerate steadily as enter the vicinity of the station and enter platform - 3 of mayiladuthurai junction at 0841 hours with a delay of more than an hour. As of now, it took 1hour 55 mts for just 70 kms, with an average speed of 37 kmph. Our train made a customary jerk just after a minute of halt, indicating departure. But, this time, after departing mayiladuthurai, our train accelerated steadily, but did not attain maximum speed. Meanwhile our train skipped ananthathandavapuram, and thereafter steadily decelerated and made an unscheduled halt at outers of vaithiswaran kovil. Wondering who is it this time, checked the running status of trains that's supposed to arrive mayiladuthurai. So, it was daily passenger from Villupuram to mayiladuthurai that is supposed to cross us this time, indicating that it departed sirkazhi.
At 0900hrs, after halting for 10 minutes, heard a shrill honk, indicating the take off of our train at mainline, and as we steadily accelerate through vaithiswaran kovil, we witnessed the erode based WAP 1, towing the daily passenger from Villupuram, was taking a small rest at platform 2 after sprinting quickly from sirkazhi.
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For this leg of thanjavur to vaithiswaran kovil, for just 84 kms, it took 2h18m with an average of 38 kmph.
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Did our train recover the delay in the remaining leg of the journey? Did any more crossings remain for us in the remaining leg of the single line? Stay tuned for the next part.
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Thanks for reading this patiently.
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Part - 3 : /blog/post/5965012

For your opinion please..

CBE BNC VB is not yielding desired patronage levels which may be due to :-
1. Inconvenient Timings
2. Slow TT
3....
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Presence of other trains.

As such trued to create a TT extending this VB till Guruvayur which will not only ensure occupancy but also provide a convenient time for CBE pax.

PART - 3: Special getting special treatment.
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For those, who have not read
Part - 1: /blog/post/5903996
Part - 2: /blog/post/5913406
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As there used to be gap between the two freight bogies, which was exactly present near the track sided window seat of mine, I was checking the running status of amravati express, eager to see it's link. In a short while, I was able to hear a loud honk following which amaravathi express bound to howrah slowly strolled into platform 2 of Dhone Jn, lead by some WAP 4 locomotive. Could not figure out the shed.
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After this, went to the platform, strolled towards locomotive and came back, there was some shop selling only idlis and vadas, got some and had my dinner. Cost was 60 rs for 4 idlis and 2 vadas and taste was decent. still 10 minutes was there for departure of my train, and announcement was made for vijayawada bound amaravathi from hubbali at platform 2.
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Our train departed dhone bang on time. since the whole day for me went in continuous journey and two transits already, was tired enough and laid down bed and started sleeping immediately after the train departing dhone. Actually had an idea that there will be a huge lineup for crossing thereafter till mahabubnagar post which will be double line, and expected that will wake up post kamareddi. Slept for a while and started sweating after some 10 - 15 minutes of sleep to find out that our train has been looped at Bogolu, the very next station of Dhone junction.
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Wondering that is it looped for crossing with some goods train, started to check the line-up on the opposite that is supposed to cross us within mahabubnagar, and surprised to see that the Passenger train from Kacheguda to Guntakal is more than 3 hours delayed as of now is yet to reach dhone and this is the one that was supposed to cross us. After some 10 mts halt, was able to hear a loud honk of alcos and their chugging and lights started to come closely. It was diamond twins (Guntakal based WDG - 3A twins), powering the puny rake of 12 coaches.
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Now the status of on time has gone to the status of "delayed by 20 minutes", and again I resumed my sleep. Again, I woke up when my train was stopped at kurnool. When I checked the time in my phone, it was 2215 hrs, so the delay increased from "20 mts" to "1hr20mts". Anyways i expected this to happen due to huge line up at the opposite direction is supposed to cross our train within our train reaches the third double line section we are supposed to witness, and expected to make up the lost time at Kacheguda, and started sleeping again.
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Woke up for the third time, this time it was 0220 hrs when i woke up and opened the windows to find that my train has just arrived kacheguda with the delay of 40 mts, indicating it had recovered it's delay in third of four double line section this train passes. Surprising to see that there were some deboarding and boarding in this train even at this odd hours. Then, i continued my sleep again.
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Woke up for the fourth and the last time, this time it was 0510 hrs, and anticipating that our train should have crossed atleast kamareddy by now, opened the window to find that our train has been looped at akanapet platform - 2. So the delay has been increased to 1h40m now. Then, started refreshing myself for the next day, brushed my teeth and heard a distant honk, indicating that it is some EMD hauling the train. As it slowly arrived at platform 1, i actually expected it to be Nanded - Tandur express, but train board indicated it as Krishna express. Now it is getting electric traction till its destination all the way from adilabad.
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Our train started moving after Krishna express departed akanapet. Since I was travelling after long time in that section and that trains started plying on 17 km new railway line to medak, I was eager to see the bifurcation of line to medak from akanapet, even at those cold dark hours, went to the free left sided window and when i saw, the Kacheguda bound morning passenger train from medak with Guntakal based WDG - 3A in long hood front, was patiently waiting for our train to clear the line to enter the akanapet.
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Our train eventually started gaining speed once we departed akanapet and slowly, the sun started appearing for the day. Maintained at full speed till we arrived kamareddy platform 2 at 0600 hrs, which is a mainline platform, expected a quick takeoff during departure.Now delay of our train has become 2 hrs. Our train made a slow and a steady departure, though being in mainline platform, and the platform 1 and nearby sick line has been occupied by the goods train, facing towards nizamabad, hauled by gooty based EMDs. Slowly picked up speed and again decelerated this time, and got looped at uppalavai this time. Checked WIMT app to find that the legend of this route, the Ajanta Express is supposed to cross us at anytime and the weekly visakhapatnam from sainagar shirdi is also closely following us.
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Heard a loud honk, suggestive of ALCO locomotive, negotiating the upgrade towards uppalavai and made a quick entry with ajanta express, skipped at a very good speed. Moula ali based WDG - 3A twins was hauling it. No signs of departure even after ajanta express crossed us. Checked WIMT again to find that the weekly visakhapatnam could cross us at anytime now. This time, a shrill loud honk, and Moula ali based WDG - 3A twins was powering it, and it was sprinting through uppalavai towards its next scheduled halt at kamareddy. After it departed, our train got starter and entered the mainline. Witnessed the beautiful ghat like section that's present between uppalavai - sirnapalli section of Kamareddy - Nizamabad section, lush green forest, chill morning and speed restriction of 80kmph, this time as an extra addition could see electrical poles with wires. Yes, travelled in this section last time when only till medchal these were found.
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After crossing sirnapalli, our train picked up speed and maintained the MPS, till our train reached dichpalli, the station before nizamabad, and it is a crossing station, and as usual, our train was looped. After some 15 - 20 minutes, Gooty based WDG - 4 twins made a very slow and casual entry with BOXN rakes, entered dichpalli, and we were given starter after a long wait at dichpalli. Arrived nizamabad at platform - 1 around 0810 hrs, now delay increasing to 3 hours. Got down to get some snacks this time, and suddenly our train was given starter, for less than 2 minutes that it halted there. immediately boarded the nearby coach and went to my berth.
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As our train departed nizamabad, saw some WAG - 5 twins parked in station outers towards mudkhed side, was kind of surprise for me. Last time when i travelled in this section, it was pole free and diesels were dominating this section. Our train picked up MPS and skipped jankampet in a very good speed. Maintained good speed till basar and skipped basar at MPS, till where the electrification works were done when I was travelling, after that, it was a pole free zone, with just the foundation works complete. Crossed the state border and entered Maharashtra, and our train arrived Dharmabad within 30 mts of departing nizamabad, and made a short halt for a minute at platform 1 and departed.
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As I was heading to Sambhaji Nagar / Aurangabad, before booking, I checked the arrival/departure status at Nanded for a sequence of 4 weeks, indicating that maximum it reaches with a delay of 90 minutes, thought that if not for sachkhand, atleast I can manage to catch the tapovan express to Sambhaji Nagar. So, with the current pace of the train, thought that atleast we could be able to reach Nanded by 0930 hrs and atleast could able to catch Tapovan, and checked for current availability between NED and AWB. since there was no availability in 2S, booked in ACC.
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After Dharmabad, our train picked up speed and maintained MPS, and slowed down, again this time was looped at karkheli, a station devoid of electric poles at that time, now fully under wires. Waited for 10 minutes and a gooty based EMD twins made entry with BCNA rakes at a decent to good speed. After this crossed, starter was given and we depart karkheli.
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After giving way for so many trains right from Bogolu, this time, after departing, we maintained good pace till mudkhed outers, anyway after mudkhed it is double line till its only reversal point. I still had the hope to catch Tapovan by now. I went to the left side window and enjoyed our long train, hauled by ALCo twins, beautifully negotiating the huge curve before we enter the mudkhed junction. As we enter, i could see that even the wiring was completed towards adilabad side, and poles were laid in pole pits when i travelled.
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Unusually, our train made entry into platform - 4 of mudkhed at 0930 hrs, late by 2h40m as of now, taking much loops from the mainline, though the platform 1, 2 was free, this made me to wonder why. Some good amount of deboarding and boarding I was able to see at mudkhed for this train. Some LHB rake was parked at sick line and UBL based WDG - 4D and WDG - 4 was sleeping at platform - 3. After a brief halt of 5 mins, our train departed mudkhed, entered main line after taking multiple loops again, now entering the fourth double line section among 4 double line section that our train supposed to pass through. Slowly, the hope of catching tapovan express started fading away, but still had some hope to catch it.
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As we enter the mainline, our train starts chugging, as at the home signal in the opposite line, Kalyan based WDP - 4D cab 2 faced, with shining new LHB coaches of devagiri express, was waiting for us to give way for it to enter mudkhed. Sleeper class and unreserved was way much overcrowded. Many coaches had markings of ER. As we crossed it, we maintained MPS of 110 kmph, once we neared Nanded city limits, we started slowing down and as we approach maltekdi, one of the station in Nanded suburbs, our train halted. It was 8 minutes to 10 hrs, and still I had the same 8 minutes to catch Tapovan express, and it is just 3 kms from maltekdi to Nanded.
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Did I reach Nanded within 10 hrs? Did I catch the tapovan express to Sambhaji Nagar? Stay tuned for the final part.
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Thanks for reading it patiently.
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For part - 4, the sequel : /blog/post/5969328

Sundays , is always a terror , for the Chennai Bangalore section . For the travellers , it's getting a ticket between the 2 cities post the 2nd half of day. For section controllers , to handle the trains in this section . Many weeklies decide to make their presence felt in afternoon on Chennai Jolarpettai section, and it's back to back handling, along with the freight to be handled .

Jan 28th was one such long weekend . Jan month is a terror for the North trains , when the fog...
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makes not only people but trains too to sleep under the blanket . They get up lazily , have a late slow move and end up delayed by hours . And when they land up in these busy schedules , one cannot make out but wonder whether it's train traffic or road traffic

The WAP4 gives a loud honk on a pleasant winter afternoon . It was way pleasant considering Chennai standards , that the sun was not burning on us when we boarded the rake on PF-7 , which has been standing there for about 3 odd hours. The incoming WAP-4 was staying blocked waiting for the rake to move . And it was time to provide the release

WAP7 pulled into PF-6 just as we were exiting , with the 10+ hours late running 12616 Grand Trunk express . WAP7 of KJM waited on PF-8 with the 12607 Lalbagh express , the evening crowd slowly trickling in . The 2S of this train is as good as a peak hour BMTC bus and CC was way ahead in waitlist when I checked it a month back . I guess it's ages since I actually took a 2S for this section . It requires a huge dare at times now I feel , though in my college days used to be excited for it .

WAP-7 awaited on PF-9 , with the Trivandrum bound 12695 . There were huge crowds waiting for this train in groups for see off. The weekly 12698 missed my attention as I joked to my Dad , " if someone sees only 4 digits of train number , a person bound to Bangalore could get into Trivandrum train departing in just 10 mins gap ".


We just crawled ,trotted , slowly crossing points to move out . No hurry we will go slowly seemed to be the WAP4 motive. TNP WDM-7 shunted the 12603 Hyderabad express rake . A EMU entered into MMCC and another exited

Checked the status of trains online . 12296 from Danapur was running late and had switched points from BBQ line to move into Vyasarpadi . We crossed past slowly from BBQ and showed no signs of hurrying . Vyasarpadi Jeeva was crossed, 12296 was nowhere near the points when we passed through . A slow glide past Perambur, huge crowd was waiting on PF-1. The 12295 bound to Danapur was the culprit for this crowd, and online showed he had crossed Bangarpet towards Kuppam. That's almost another 4 hours of waiting for them, if not lesser. He would be Vande Bharat 's prey too enroute


Perambur, Perambur loco works, Perambur carriage works, Villivakkam all went at slow speeds , and while we approached Korattur it was almost 20 minutes since we left Central. WAP4 started showing its colours and within minutes Ambattur , Annanur, Avadi were despatched like lightnings . Chennai bound 22638 West coast whizzed past us near Korattur . Another LHB rake crossed us near Annanur , and checked online to find it was the 20954 weekly from Ahmedabad. This was followed by the 12163 Super from LTT just before Tiruvallur

Our coach was completely full and almost everyone had thaken their berths, except for few , like me & dad. The LB, MB combo , we had entire berth for ourselves to sit comfortably. Mom was sound asleep in SLB, the SUB and UB allotted to a couple who chose to lie down as soon as they boarded . The bay behind was occupied by a ladies group with 3-4 kids , the kids settling down for window seats on SLB, SUB, all of them neatly positioning watching window. Thankfully they spent time playing physically and jumping rather than meddling the devices . Me & my dad of course had lots to talk, for it's a train journey during the day , and one of regular routes .

The recent rains of December had ensured that water bodies were full ,though the rivers weren't as full. The fields were ready for ploughing, some being ploughed , while some were still green. All the fields has the contrasting white dotted all over, with the Egrets occupying every place on the fields. Drongos filed across, and Open bill storks showed their presence occasionally, their sizes overshadowing the egrets. Stilts walked across the shallow waters of the lakes, while cormorants peeped out of their swim , while a few dried their feathers on tree barks or land . Kingfishers gave aerial views while the Swift's were as usual Swift in their action veering around in various angles across the sky . The views continued till the dusk across almost till Vaniyambadi , but the Kusasthalaiyaaru, and Pennai were relatively not so active

We had a major slowdown at Thiruvallur around 1545 hours, slowly trotting past the platform , clearing the points , but we were still on the main line , not switching to the slow line. The slow run continued till Egattur, where again we picked up speed to touch close to 3 digit figures, having a parallel run with the NMG rake hauled by WAG12B on the slow line, who could have been the reason why we had to be slow , as we crossed Kadambattur

The run continued till Tiruvalangadu, where we slowed down to switch points towards the slow line , to cross past Mosur and Puliyamangalam , to pull into a crowded platform of AJJ, awaiting the continuous trains coming one behind other for weekend. Announcement boarded it was the Hubbali weekly entering , and there were quite some takers for this train too .

A few ladies from neighbouring bay selected AJJ as place to deboard to fetch water , and WAP4 was quick enough to start as already he was delayed by 10 mins owing to the slow runs initially. The pull out bought out tense moments for the group, but luckily the ladies had boarded with chill water bottles in time . EMU from CGL entered into PF-1A as there was another EMU with CGL board stationed on the last corner PF

WAG12B hauled freight gave a parallel company till the exit and we left it to take the JTJ line. 70 kms in about 60 mins and we had noone ahead , while we were leading 4 trains trailing us in short gaps and we had no time to wait

How is this going to be tackled !! The last time I travelled by this train was when it was 17313 way back in 2015 , when departure time was 1350, and we had a long wait at JTJ. Then too Sanghamitra trailed us, as per his RT schedule. Today too he is behind, but delayed by hours . He was followed by Pataliputra , same as then.

To be continued