If 2658 is a legendary sleep killer , 3 times a week , it has a clone sleep killer as well . During January months , these clones generally come handy, for the RSA of the sleep killer with state named train, ensures it's generally rescheduled by hours

Reached station by around 2215 hours , as the announcement went for the departure of the 16508 biweekly to Jodhpur from PF-9 . PF-1 was occupied by a LHB rake behind WAP7 which I assumed must be the 12658 to Chennai . The rake...
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was alternating between ICF and LHB in spare version , and that particular day, charting showed a SE1 and BE1 coach in consist. Confusion persisted

WAG7 twins passed through PF-5 hauling a BCNA rake slowly trugging along , without stopping. 22681 was allocated PF-5 , so we moved towards the concourse area and stationed ourselves there . 16593 bound to Nanded was stationed on PF-6

Deciding to have a coffee, asked mom to take care of luggage, while me and dad walked down to the Cothas coffee at PF-7 enterance . 16508 had left in meantime and rake of 16589 Rani Chennamma was shunted in for departure. 16227 to Talaguppa from Mysore pulled in slowly PF-10 . Hospet Bangalore express was allocated to arrive on PF-9

WAP7 of KJM shed moved in the meantime into PF-3 with the 12027 from Chennai Central. Looks like the fixed PF-7 allocation for shatabdi is gone and looks like it gets the platform as required

We walked with cup of coffee towards mom, to find a rake being shunted out from the yard behind a WAP7. ICF rake at this time who has a departure, thought went. Couldn't read the boards properly in the darkness , thought of checking it later

The coach positions started displaying for 22681 and we waited for the announcement for the arrival of same. As time ticked to 2250, announcement went, not for 22681 arrival, but for 12658 departure . Slightly thrown up by this , a delayed start for sleep killer , will mean kill is guaranteed

As we waited for announcement, Dad spotted a light reflecting on the rakes in yard and remarked, looks like he is entering . Sleep killer turning into silent killer looks like , as KJM WAG9 pulled in with the 22681. We slowly walked towards our coach position as the train pulled into a halt .

2019 made coach was companion for the night, but a spic and span maintainence from Mysore division. 12781 was cancelled previous week and the rake seemed to have got a long rest and come out from slumber

Mom settled down immediately with berths put up while me and dad settled downnin LB MB onnopposite waiting for the departure time . Announcement went for 22681 waiting , 16589 leaving and 16227 waiting , as time ticked past to 2305 . Checked online, 12658 had departed only at 2307 hours so we would have to have a slight wait

The wait wasn't too long, it was only till 12658 cleared the points and we were off. A loud shreiking noise from WAG9 and we proceeded slowly trotting out clearing the platforms. The rake of Lalbagh was cleared from PF-4 and moved parallel with us for the shunting and loco stopped just as we crossed it , to get back to the pit

The MEMU from Bangarpet made the presence felt as we moved slowly in the main Bangalore City route towards the Canttonment, slowing down at Cantt outer and proceeding to enter BNC, as announcement went for our arrival .

We quickly proceeded from BNC, and a quick meet with the 11+ hours late running 12628 Karnataka express , we laid out the berths to sleep . Thought of a smooth sleep , later remembering that my Sleeper class journeys have reduced in last year , and it was too long since I took a LHB SL. The previous time was by ASK SC special in ICF rake in August 2023 .


Just as I was about to catch up with sleep , a loud honk was heard on opposite as a flurry of blue ICF coaches dashed across . Spotting blue ICF coaches is like a oasis in a desert in current situation, and tried to figure out who it was . The late running weekly daily special ( Different trains running on various days of week with numbering on 5 days making it almost a daily slot ) from Danapur to SmvT running close to 11 hours late , skipping KJM as it proceeds to its last halt , close to time its supossed to leave SMVT .

Tried to catch winks of sleep, but somehow couldn't sleep. The rocking of the train failed to make me sleep well. May be a few winks here and there so badly , that I hear all the announcements from the stations where he stopped through


Bangarpet for 22681, Jolarpettai, announcement of the Kerala express arriving , Katpadi for 22681, Arakkonam for the Chennai Central and Tiruttani bound local. Time was 335AM as we departed from Arakkonam

A quick dash from Arakkonam and looks like finally I slept , for heard my Dad calling me that we are departing from Perambur, as time ticked to 425AM . A slow run till Vyasarpadi Jeeva to let a freight move over to the main line , moved without stopping straight to proceed into PF-9 of Chennai Central with a TNP WDM-7 awaiting to shunt a ICF rake from PF-8

ICF rake with SWR markings .... Who is this guy... The same guy whom we spotted the previous evening getting pulled out from pitline !!! The 12658 Mail was on PF-8 with the AC attenders going about their job of folding the bedsheets of the night run . Announcement went on for the departure of Vijayawada bound Vande Bharat from PF-2A and a delayed GT of 4.5 hours and Navajeevan entering shortly close to time . PF-10 had the rake of Kovai Brindavan RSA, the crowd in UR indicating it was the Kovai bound Kovai having to leave at 610AM. Time ticked to 445AM , we were 15 mins ahead and true to the name, I killed my sleep the previous night. Walked out of the station to catch the MTC A1 which didn't turn up for 15 mins...realised it was a newly declared public holiday in TN that day for Thai Poosam , a long weekend and buses were on long duty , settled in an auto to go home, to catch up on sleep I lost with the clone "sleep killer"

Getting a ticket on return journey - most wanted thing and the most difficult thing . Specials at times comes in handy in such situations, even with a one month in hand . Special always comes at a price of delays , but anyway a train reaching destination around lunch isn't going to affect a working day . So B3 coach gets booked for the journey RJY to SMVT on a Monday evening , 26th November 2023 by the VSKP SMVT express

Finishing the Rajamundhry circuit , arrive at RJY station by...
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450PM and with an hour and half to go for the train arrival, we wait on PF-1 in the waiting room . It isn't very tough to pass time in a station on main track, when arrivals departures are plenty . The 22884 Garib rath is one time today, unlike our journey the previous week and it's long left. PF-1 was occupied by the Kakinada Tirupati express slowly making way out , and It was time of Corromandel to depart from PF-3 while we enter , as time clicks close to 5PM

Few minutes later , the 12845 SMVT superfast arrives from Bhubaneshwar onto PF-2 , almost 10 mins before schedule time . Janmabhoomi in meantime was received on PF-3 in opposite direction . Janmabhoomi left soon , while the Bhubaneswar express still waited , as the announcement went for the 12839 Mail to arrive onto PF-1

Expected that 12839 might take lead over 12845 , and just as WAP-7 entered into PF-1 around 520PM with 12839, the 12845 gave a parallel exit from PF-2 . The ceowd in UR and SL gave a lesser unpleasant look compared to the lifted MB in the SL's. Are guys still having afternoon siesta , or people just lying down entire day since train left HWH the previous night . Get up guys , it's dusk time

The halt for 12839 was pretty long enough to miss the freight action that was sent off in the gap on opposite . But my heart was thumping . Having a week's luggage to board and a mid station, the platform , sorry even train is missing from the display board . Boards prominence was more towards 22502 coming from NTSK towards SMVT, so I walked to the enquiry counter

SMVT special platform please I said - sir back to back trains to SMVT, number please he smiled .. 08543 Visakaptnam SMVT - Oh - PF-1 sir majorly announcement will come , he replied. Thanking him, went back , keeping an ear for announcement , lest the platform changes at last

The waiting room which was empty till then, is filled to brim.now . Just one seat was empty now and occupy myself there , keeping watch outisde. A train silently moves into PF-3 sans any announcement and pulls to a halt . 22808 MAS SRC AC express says the board visible in the long distance . Sans announcement, as robotic, an horn was given and rake soon left

The full moon shines brightly just over the platform -1 and for a moment my mind flashes . Time was 1750 hours , and it was the Karthigai month , the time for Karthigai deepam at Tiruvannamalai. Came back to waiting room and noticed my mom watching the live stream in phone with ears plugged in .


Walked through the available space , no seats now with crowd waiting for the 2 prime trains of the region to arrive . Pull out the earplugs from my mom , to her much angry face . Watch the moon outside instead of mobile, I said sternly. Wait for the deepam last moment please she replied . Ok I said , as the final touch was given for the deepam

Announcement went on for the 17488 Tirumala express to Tirupati , in the LHB avatar to make the way in, and the crowd slowly moved out . 25% space free , that's it , we still have to wait , I said as my mom went out to have glimpse of the moon. 17488 soon entered , Ecor rake with SCR numbering , the old S15 changing to S9, better than many others but still not as much as the ICF avatar

17488 slowly arrived , took up the crowd waiting and after few minutes halt, moved out , while I moved to WIMT to check the train status . 17210 and 08543 both were to arrive in 10 mins gap as per schedule ,but the gap between them was almost 30 kms . The names of Annavaram, Pittapuram, Samalkot flashed on WIMT, reminding us of the previous day visit to the 3 places . 17210 was very few minutes late while 08543 was almost 30 mins. Special treatment has already started

WAG7 twins pull into PF-2 in meantime, giving many a sign of relief . 22641 Shalimar express made its way into PF-3. This guy only overtook us at last moment last week remember , I asked , jokingly nudging my mom... Andha Kadangaarana idhu , today nothing to do she replied . We will get someone, we are special, I replied .

Announcement went for the Seshu to arrive on PF-1 shortly and more crowd vacated from retiring room . Still crowd awaited

How many trains to Bangalore today ?? asked Dad hearing Seshu announcement. 12863, 18463 went before we came , 12845 came after we came , 17210 coming now , our train and 22502 coming in late by 90 mins , I said .. and still you got ticket only in this , which reaches by 1230?? Yes , I said , others were in waitlist, 12845 had the least waitlist , and good running time , but didn't want to risk it , I replied . But weekend evening and trains reaching late , but still crowded , he said . Vizag doesn't have a dedicated train to either Bangalore or Madras , only Hyderabad has regular ones , I said, as BZA WAP4 pulled into PF-1 with the rake of 17210. Time ticked close to 630PM

Next should be ours , let's go out , Dad said . Yes 20 kms away as per WIMT, we will go i said , wearing my backpack and dragging the suitcases. Slowly walked into PF-1 as announcement went on for 08543 VSKP BNC express

What??? BNC express.. yipee my mom said. Wait , i guess announcement is wrong I said . KJM, SMVT or BNC what difference you think will make when you book a cab home , asked Dad. Fare I replied !!

Time clicked close to 1850 hours as the light beamed at the corner. The BCNA rake still waited on PF-2 . Now came the suspense ...special getting special treatment , what will be the loco link.. just railfan things come into mind as train comes close to us - BZA WAG5A silver with brown border on face !!!! We are indeed special !!

PART - 2 : Priority in the home division.
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For those who have not read part - 1 : /blog/post/5903996
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Amidst that huge crowd, somehow I managed to come to platform -...
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1, which was comparatively very much free amidst the bustling crowds at platform 2 and 4 respectively. Meanwhile saw a Gooty based EMD and Guntakal based diamond twins waiting at the yard. Wondering which among the both will be powering my train, went towards the IRCTC canteen for breakfast, had 4 idlis for rs. 70, which is kind of overpriced, given the size of idlis, but okay to sate the hunger at that instance.
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After breakfast, headed towards the katpadi end of platform - 1. Meanwhile, noticed that three DEMU coaches were attached to the end of the express bound to Puri, awaiting it's departure shortly, wondering where would that be detached. Took some rest sitting there, some track works were going on at the end of platform - 1. Ten minutes after puri express was given starter, an express (passenger) from Villupuram made its entry with Erode based WAP - 1. Made order for my lunch from zomato and waited for some half an hour, got a call to come and recieve order outside and recieved the same, came and saw the display panel which displayed the regular weekly special which runs to akola is supposed to depart from platform - 5 on its scheduled time as there was 30 more minutes to depart.
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Walked towards platform 5, was eager and anxious at the same time, wondering which one among the two mentioned previously would be leading my train. Saw from some distance, orange diamond twin WDM - 3D, 11122 + 11169T, was chugging slowly towards platform - 5, to get attached to my train, witnessed that attachment process, was enjoying the beauty of Guntakal twin ALCo for a moment. Now was wondering where would me my coach. As side lower was allotted after charting at S1, wished that S1 was at front half of the train so that I can enjoy the honking, chugging and speeding train audio-visually. Was happy enough to note that my coach was 7th. Prayed before entering the coach, to ensure my safe arrival at the next transit point and the destination. Entered the coach, to realise that my berth was track sided. Though majority of the route is a single line till date, yes it is good. Still 20 more minutes was there. So, severed my luggage, went and refreshed myself, and had lunch within my train was supposed to depart. Immediately after I complete my lunch and threw my waste, the diamond twins giving a loud honk, indicating departure...
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Our train departed bang on time, and after clearing the loop lines, ALCo started chugging it's heart out through the suburbs of Tirupati. Was able to see the sapthagiri from the window of my train, made prayers for success of my exam and this trip. It was a sunny weather, with some heat, the air was blazing through the window as our train picked up speed, which was quite pleasant, and seeing the seven hills, and enjoying the musical sound of ALCo chugging, except for the sense of tongue and olfaction, it was a treat.
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Our train continued to maintain the top speed of the section as the intercity from coimbatore, which is supposed to arrive it's destination in short while, was looped at chandragiri, and some WAP - 4 was leading that train. Pakala arrived in no time, and I started experiencing some effects of post meal (was slightly dozing off). Our train departed pakala on time, i was eager to see that section after it got electrified. Picked up top speed of the section after some time. Terrain started changing after our train crossed damalacheruvu, witnessed the changing gradients, ups and downs the train went. Our train arrived pileru at 10 to 2pm. was waiting more than 5 minutes. Believed that it should be crossing of some train. after 10 minutes of wait, I witnessed a chocolate beast from vijayawada, pulling a puny rake of delayed Guntakal - tirupati passenger, which was delayed around an hour. That train had good crowd.
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This was the first instance that I am witnessing a train hauled by an electric loco, BZA WAG - 5, hauling a train in this section. After our train departed pileru, started studying for exam for some time, meanwhile enjoying the high speed action of my train, which was hauled with diesel based power. Madanapalle road came in no time and our train departed the same after a brief halt. Remembered how pole free it was before few years and now, with poles, it was adding further beauty to this station. I started dozing off, slept for some time, woke up some 10 minutes later, anticipating one another scheduled crossing. Woke up before mulakala cheruvu.
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I was continuously checking the running position of Nagercoil express, and NTES showed that it departed Kadiri. Within some moments, when my train kept speeding up, noticed some WAP - 7 hauled train being looped. Though expected the reverse to happen, it was Kalyan based one, looped with the four weekly train to nagercoil from Mumbai, which is supposed to undergo reversal after 2 hours of its run. Arrived kadiri with a delay of nearly 40 minutes. Again dozed off with the revision video in my phone, woke up to find that my train was flying at MPS and 10 more kilometres to arrive Dharmavaram. The speed it maintained among that plateau terrain, and the weather, was a sight to behold till date. The scenes of town arrived at no time, indicating that we were nearing dharmavaram. We arrived on time at platform - 4.
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One thing I would definitely suggest as a common traveller, one must definitely attempt a day time travel in the section of pakala - dharmavaram, which will definitely provide you with lots of visual treats, especially in winter, the climate also will be pleasant. Noticed the LHB rake of Dharmavaram - Vijayawada (now extended to machilipatnam) via prodattur was sleeping at platform - 2 with some Lallaguda based WAP - 7.
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As our train was looping out of dharmavaram, clearing more than 2 loops to enter the double line section of dharmavaram - kalluru, a WAG 9 based freight was about to enter dharmavaram. As we clear the loop, our train started picking up some speed and that was one among the four double line section this train would witness. Our train arrived at Ananthapuram at around 30 mts after departure and a good no of boardings here. After halting for a moment, our train chugged our of anantapuram. Surprised to found that the section of dharmavaram to kalluru being fully doubled, against the single line it used to be at Ananthapuram before few years. travelled in this section after a long while.
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As dusk was slowly settling up, our train was also picking up good speed, realising that could not peep much outside the window thereafter, took the notes and started studying for exam. After some 50 minutes, noticed a line branching out at the right side of my train, and making some elevation, after negotiating a curve. And those elevated track was surrounded with platforms with station boards mentioning "gooty fort", byepass station for gooty from Ananthapuram side to tadipatri side. And a WAG - 9 twin hauled BOXN rake was sleeping. We simultaneously negotiate a huge C - shaped curve and arrive gooty at 25 past 6. Halted for less than a minute and our train made a loud honk and flashing green torch, indicating the departure. Switched tracks, as we cross the den of EMDs and WAG - 9, the gooty diesel loco shed, then we started accelerating towards dhone, again entering the single line.
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I was very much surprised to find that gooty - dharmavaram part was completely doubled, and was happy. Since I was traveling after few things, was not aware of the conditions. Meanwhile, i started looking at IRCTC to check ticket availability for my return journey, and trains having huge waitlist even in the mid of the week, realised that the only remaining option was premium tatkal. Sun started setting as we again start to switch tracks, indicating the arrival of pendekallu. We enter the second double line section out of four, which is very brief one, only untill dhone junction. We immediately start to accelerate once we enter the mainline towards dhone, and hit MPS in no time. Already it was dark outside, and clock was ticking 7 pm, and started feeling hungry already, wondering where to avail the dinner, and thought to buy at dhone, was tracking with WIMT, the speed and position of our train. After a continuous run at maximum speed after pendekallu for 25 minutes, we make an arrival at platform - 1 of Dhone junction, at 7.25 pm, against its scheduled arrival of 8.05pm, arriving 40 minutes early. Two frieghts were sleeping adjacent to each other and as we arrive, announcement was made for howrah bound amaravathi express to arrive shortly at platform 2.
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Given that there is less crossings, it got excellent priority at home division to arrive 40 minutes early at division handover point. in part - 3, let's see if i arrive my next transit point on time. Till then, ciao...
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Thanks for patiently reading, apologies for writing in a lengthier way, since this is one such trip close to my heart..
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Part - 3 : /blog/post/5961290