Unplanned evening in MEMU- Date: Nov 22, 2008
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I And IRFCAian-Abhishek Risbud just planned to meet at thane after long time & met at 4:30PM. A Sudden & un-planned decision & A Desire to travel in EMU, made us have a great railfanning session. And the story goes like this:.
We decided to railfan in the newly introduced MEMU service, and time was 4:40pm. We got the 2nd class tourist tickets & boarded a KYN bound emu. On the way, near Thane creek, turnouts have been assembled to be placed on all the 4 lines, so as to enable connectivity from slow lines to platforms 7 & 8 at Thane. & work is going on. We got down at Kopar. It was 5:15PM and we rushed to upper level, and at 5:20PM we were PF. An agressive ET wag5 sped past us with container at 80kmph towards panvel. even after getting down the gradient it seemed to do a good speed.
And at the same time, Twin shakti (shed unknown) was racing with CST bound ACDC EMU on 6th & 4th lines respectively with flat wagons.
And there came our MEMU. It was my first ride in MEMU in my life-time and believe me!! I was damn excited. We boarded 2nd coach from start, and it was an empty coach with just me, Abhishek & 2 more fellow passengers. While Abhishek made himself comfortable on an Emergency window seat, I positioned onto the opposite window seat.
The Mman started very swiftly and 1st time I crossed the tracks above, but in a train. We went fast at 70 on the down-gradient and a WCAG1 hauled BCNA was waiting for a clearance.
We joined the main lines to CST, and started doing 40. The Twin diesels were waiting for clearance before the crossing since it was perhaps bound to panvel and we were welcomed by Kanpur WAG7 carrying containers towards Vasai.
We started veering towards PAnvel at 20, and joined the other arm and after a halt of 2 min at Dativli, proceeded slowly towards next stn. Run was very bumpy & shaky because of empty coaches and the vestibules pads were banging due to jerks caused.
The 4th coach had half opened vestibule (since that was the end of one unit of 4 coached in MEMU) and from that, we could see the face of Motor coach with driving cabs locked. We rushed past till 4th coach end, and had a satisfying look at the 5th Motor coach. On the way, saw the full fledged developed electrified new sidings, which joined our lines at the loop line at Taloje stn.
We reached Panvel at dot 6:25PM and we decided not to return by this same MEMU. Instead we rushed into the beautiful & Swanky Panvel Suburban Terminus & boarded the EMU to Andheri
At Nerul stn, the UP line to CST has been shifted from PF 3 to 4, & the DN line to Belapur CBD has been shifted from PF 2 to 3. The new TNA-NEU lines have been made to merge onto the Harbor lines to BR.
After NEU, there have been turnouts built on the newlines to facilitate changing of platforms. At night time, I still could see the silverish glaze or shine on the new lines confirming that sufficient trials have been carried out.
We got down at SNPD stn & changed over to TNA bound EMU. The journey was brisk throughout. And Abhishek got down at Airoli, to proceed to MLND and I continued to TNA.
Thus our round journey ended very peacefuly, and also made us have a good railfanning after very long time.
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Guindy (Chennai) - Pondichery
- Tambaram (Chennai) Trip- Date: October 28, 2007
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Part-1 Guindy-PDY
Thanks to Krishnakumar Jr, this plan culminated from his
suggestion, otherwise, we had planned to go to Arakkonam,
for simple railfanning. We agreed to board the 0103 MS-PDY
Fast passenger from Guindy, on sunday 28th Oct 2007, and
then return by the same train for the day.
At Guindy, while we waited for our train to arrive, we
could spot high speed action bound to Chennai Egmore where
WDM3D 11183 with Pandian Exp, and a GOC WDP3A with KanyaKumari
Exp, sped past the guindy station, at nearly 100, all being
morning arrivals at MS. The rains had started from saturday
night, and was continous throughout our journey to PDY and
back, which made the climate very much pleasant and chilled.
At last the wait finished, and there came our 0103 at 6:50AM,
with a smart looking WDM3 - 14080 of Erode DLS, also which
made me ponder as to why this train was getting a diesel
power, in the completely electrified route !! One more case
of Diesel-Under-Wires...
We boarded 3rd UR coach from the loco, and stood near the
entrance, till we reached CGL. The loco had twin horns, and
was not a so-good-smoker, but whatever it was smoking out,
I am sure, 10-20% of it, was consumed by me, as I am crazy
behind inhaling these diesel smoke, whenever it puffs out
!!!
Till CGL, the run was pretty good, with a very brief stopping
of only 1 min, at the stations, it stopped.
Notings: Wires for the Metre Gauge line have been now removed
till Acharapakkam- a stn after CGL enroute VM.
CGL was reached at 8:10AM. Also spotted an EMU coming from
Thirumalpur, waiting to enter CGL, and already a TNP WDM7
11005, reversing & getting attached to the CGL-AJJ passenger.
We got down to hunt for some breakfast, and luckily got
some dosas and parotas to stuff, with samosas as addons:-)
And we hopped onto a relatively empty coach, which was 6th
from the loco, and to our surprise,made for the emergency
window, for which I and KK had been craving for.
We openned all the shutters, as well as the grill, and
now started enjoying the real fun of having a full open
window, and in the thundering rains, time and again looking
out or rather peeping out of the window, to see the loco
notching, and me, again trying to inhale that diesel smoke...
we were doing roughly 90-100, with regular stoppages, and
brief 1 min halt. We were put at Perani, where Pallavan
Express with WAM4 of AJJ ELS crossed us past 100+.
On the way, a Lone MG tanker rake was spotted at Mundiyampaakam
station. I will say, in the monsoon, all the deserted MG
stations, looked Awesome, with just greenery around the
tracks & platforms, and also a small roof, with platforms
at a very low height, and they togther gave an impression
that we were seeing RLys during 1960s, & 70s, except
for the Electric poles and wires, which would otherwise
given a true picture of Rlsy in 60s.
Also spotted as usual, the 2 lone MG EMU coaches at Vikravandi,
which really looked very sad to me.
Villupuram Jn was reached at around 10:15 AM, and we then
departed towards PDY at 10:30. At VM, saw hell lot of YDM4s
coupled in triplets & duplets, and tied behind the old
rakes. Lots of VB MG rakes were also spotted, stabled at
VM
On the other side: 27776 WAG7 of ED ELS, welcomed us, at
VM outer.
The YDM4 spotted by me included: 6321, 6040, 6281, 6283,
6150, all of GOC DLS.
Guruvayur Express bound to Guruvayur, was trailing behind
us, and entered VM with WAP4 22357 of ED ELS. While exiting
VM, 18561 WDM2 of ED DLS, in WDM3D livery was in the pit
line.
Our train took the sharp left curve towards PDY, saying
bye bye to the VM-TPJ and VM-mayilaaduthurai MGline. infact
the MG line is now cut and terminated just outside VM outer,
enroute TPJ, thanks to Gauge conversion. Just after the
PDY line diverges to left, the MG line ends and have been
uprooted completedly.
Just before reaching PDY, at Chinnababu Samudram, we spotted
a BCNA rake with a WDM3D - 11101 of ED DLS. This is the
first WDM3D in the series to be produced by DLW. But I was
surprised, as this was the power for our return train- 0104
PDY-MS pass.
At last PDY was reached at 11:25 AM. The layout of PDY
station, in terms of railway layout, is very simple. it
has 4 tracks and 3 platforms - Pf 1 holding line 1, PF 2
& PF 3 holding line2 & 3 ON EOTHER SIDE, and a 4th
line only for goods, and at the end, all join into a single
line, which goes, little farther and ends, to enable the
loco to reverse.
Part-2 PDY to TBM
After reaching PDY, we proceeded to the Ashram, and then
a temple, finished our lunch at Adyar Ananda Bhavan, and
proceeded for the beach. The pleasant cloudy climate with
rains, made the day too pleasant. The rock-beach was seeming
to be very violent, with waves splashing and hitting the
rocks. Then we made our way to PDY stn at 1:30 PM, and saw
the rakes of TPTY-PDY passenger ready to leave PF1, and
our PDY-MS fast Passenger on PF2.
We went to check the power for our train, and the loco
was standing near the PDY end, and to our surprise, it was
the same WDM3D 11101 of ED, in normal DLW livery instead
of its customary blue-white-blue livery, and this had been
detached from the BCNA rake, which I had mentioned earlier.
It took a reverse, and proceeded ahead in MS direction,
to again get reversed, to attach to our train, and before
this happened, the PDY-TPTY pass had already exited PDY.
We went ahead, and were observing the loco attachment process.
Something unusual we noted is that, there was no khalasi
to perform this attachment, and the guy who was doing the
attachment, was the Assistant LocoPilot himself. And he
really struggled to attach the loco, because, as the loco
came and attached, he could not pick up the clamp and attach
it to the hook, as it did not fit properly. HE struggled
it for nearly 15-20 minutes, and in this attempt, the loco
just moved a bit away and again tried to attach, and repeated
this process for nearly 3 times, and by 4th attempt, he
succeeded.
Now we wanted to try our luck, and in the process, went
to talk to the LP. 11101 WDM3D was he first loco in this
type to be produced. We could see the plate of DLW fitted
and the words "July 2003" embedded, which meant,
that this loco has completed more than 4 successful years
on IR.
A mild chat with the LP revealed the following facts (as
per the LP):
10 L of diesel goes, when loco idles for an Hr.
20 L of diesel needed to start the Loco.
MPS for PDY-Chinnababu Samudhram station; is 70KMPH
MPS for Chinnababu Samudhram till VM; is 90KMPH.
Our luck was brighter & our small request was accepted,
and very soon, we found ourselves inside the LOCO ;-)
Shapr 2:45PM, we got the starter and we proceeded at 15kmph,
till we negotiated all the turnouts, and LP continously
honking the melodious twin horn at each and every LC. Later
we picked up speed and touched 70, and very soon, came across
a small halt station after PDY. Just a single track, a soiled
platform sans any cover, and a small booking office with
a single window to issue any tickets, to the passengers,
(if at all they use this stn to board) and grasses/shrubs,
trees were all, I could see.
Later we took off and again touched 70. A Bull just escaped
seconds before the loco reached towards it. It strayed on
the track, and remained there, till the loco came inches
closer to it. The sight itself started making me nervous,
and then it just ran away, else................
No wonder LPs and Motomen/women drive trains on our INdian
Railways, under a constant mental & physical pressure
and strain. A little and simple step, IR can do, is to install
fences on both the sides of the tracks,which will ensure
some tension free driving for our drivers on IR.
Before reaching ChinnaBabu Samudhram stn, we crossed a
river, at 30kmph resriction. and then a chat with LP revealed
that trains do change tracks at 40kmph capable turnouts,
they have been installed near places Erode and Salem...
too surprising to hear..
And we pulled into loop, at Chinnababu Samudram, at 30kmph..and
another surprise for us - spotted a new WDM3D - 11206, belonging
to ED DLS, at this station.
After thanking the LPs, we got down, to board the next
coach, and found it empty. settled on one of the windows,
and then enjoyed the run till VM at 90. The fierce &
chilled wind and rains forced us to close the windows, but
throughout the Loco sounds of notching and running, filled
our ears, much to our desire.
VM was reached at 3:20 PM and again, my eyes were on those
cute retired hardworking YDM4. many were there..
After we took off, spotted AJJ WAM4 21300 in Sapthagiri
livery, on the pit lines. while coming ED WAG7 was alone,
now there were twin AJJ WAG5 - 23679 and 236**, standing
close to the WAG7 beauty.
The rains were becoming even more wilder, and our tiredness
made us sit at our seats. Got up for Pallavan Crossing,
and the moment we got out of our train, under our umbrella,
braving the heavy rains, the chilled winds and rains made
literally our jaws shake, and our body yearning for warmth.
While I was ready for taking video of Pallavan, it just
sped past at 110kmph, and made our umbrellas completely
upside down, in turn shaking my cameraphone, and thus spoiling
the coverage, coupled with the chilled winds..
thats it !!.... Now we couldn't take it anymore, and quietly
made ourselves into our coach, which was still empty. OUr
train made its way for MS very briskly, stopping briefly
at the designated stops. Reached CGL at 6:15PM, and at that
time WAP4 22617 of AJJ serviced the KK express to KK. at
the same time, under the heavy rains, 102 PDY-TPTY pass
left for TPTY, while KK exited CGL towards VM, making a
simultaneous departure.
And immediately we exited, and made our way towards Tambaram.
Our train made a very brilliant entry into Tambaram at some
50kmph, which gave us fellow passengers a doubt whether
it will stop at TBM. Bade goodbye to KK and proceeded for
EMU at 7:25PM to Beach, And reached PZA at 7:50PM..........
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EXTENSIVE
RAILFANNING - ON CHENNAI SUBURBAN, 1ST, 2ND, 3RD Sep, 2007.
| Abbreviations
used: CGL
- Chengalpet Jn, Tambaram-TBM,
Palavanthangal-PZA,
Arakkonam Jn-AJJ MotorMan
- MM, Chennai Beach
- MSB, Neutral Zone-NZ,
Broadgauge-BG, MetreGauge-MG,
Villupuram-VM, Gummidipoondi-GMD,
Chennai Central-MAS,
Chennai Egmore-MS, TNP-Tondiarpet,
SR - Speed Restriction.
This railfanning trip is the most memorable one, and also
the best ever railfanning trips I have ever done. My Friend
& IRFCAian - Abhishek Risbud, who had come from Mumbai to
stay with me for 3 days, had the opportunity to roam around
the Chennai suburban and do railfanning on these routes.
The details go as follows:
Part-1 1st
September, 2007 - Palavanthangal (PZA) - Tambaram (TBM)
- Chengalpattu Jn (CGL) & Back.
We planned to go to CGL Jn for railfannng and come back.
At evening around 4:30PM, we boarded a TBM bound 12-car
EMU, alighted at TBM, and then walked from PF2 to PF6.
Main notings:
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The best part -
while entering Tambaram, on the extreme side of the
TBM carshed, we could spot all the MetreGauge EMU coaches,
lines up like buses, perpendicular to the tracks, meaning
that they were just lines up, but not on the tracks.
We could spot atleast some more than 20 coaches, kept
on the land, on the trackside, with their pantos still
there. |
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Lots of BG EMUs
in the carshed, with some very old (perhaps to be condemned)
coaches numbering like 12006, 12004 etc. |
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At TBM, TBM-VM
passenger was ready and WAM4 #20616 of AJJ shed, was
getting attached. |
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CGL bound EMU
came on PF 7, and we boarded it, and in the meanwhile
WDM2 of GOC had brought the Rameshwaram bound Sethu
Express, and it got the clearance. |
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In the meanwhile,
A light chat with the MM revealed that MPS for MSB-TBM
slow EMUs were limited to 60-65kmph, while for fast
ones, it was 80 while the TBM-CGL section for EMUs was
80kmph, while 105kmph for Mail/Express. |
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After starting
from TBM for CGL, while our EMU coasted the 1st NZ,
the power went off inside EMU, for ½ a minute. There
is a AC-AC NZ just outside TBM enroute CGL. |
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All the OHE wires
have been removed for the erstwhile MG Track, till Singaperumalkoil
station. And the MG track wore a very rusted and old
look. |
In between, we were made to wait at some station for some
express hauled by WDM3D to overtake us. This one really
zipped past 100 kmph, and then we received starter. On the
way, Lots of videos and pictures were taken.
Just before CGL, we encountered another NZ, and this time
it was dark, and time was 6:25PM. Bang !! All the lights,
fans went off, with emergency tubelights coming to the rescue.
After 30 secs, power came, and the EMU inside got brighter.
We reached CGL at 6:40 PM, and we saw the Guruvayur Express
entering CGL from VM side with WDM3D - 11106 from ED. Little
later TBM-VM pulled into CGL from TBM side, with its AJJ
WAM4. At about 7:00 PM, WDM7-11007 brought in the AJJ-CGL
passenger from AJJ.
We boarded the MSB bound emu from CGL at 7:20 pm and were
lucky to give company to the MM till Perungalathur station,
1 before TBM. On the way we kept cruising at 80, and I &
Abhishek, kept on honking the horns turn by turn, at all
the stations-entry-exit, levelcrossings and bridges. Cab
was single piece wide screen, which added more charm to
the railfanning. AWS was set to 80kmph, and always started
beeping whenever MM accelerated.
Then at perugalathur, we alighted, and bade goodbye to the
MM, and boarded the 1st entrance behind the cab, and got
down at TBM. Had some cooldrinks for refreshment and boarded
another MSB bound EMU, and got down at PZA, thus happily
ending the 1st part of our suburban railfannin trip.
Part-2 2nd September,
2007 - Palavanthangal (PZA) - Chennai Central (MAS) - Gummidipoondi
(GMD) & Back.
2nd Sep was slated to cover the MAS-GMD section, and accordingly
we got a return ticket from PZA itself, costing Rs26 each.
One important point to be noted is for these 3 days,
I never ever saw a single WDP3 on the MS-CGL section.
Wonder where have they gone. All I could see in large numbers
is WAP4, WDM3D and WDM2/3..thats it !!..
Later we changed from Park to MAS and boarded 11:47 GMD
bound EMU. We started bang on time. Negotiated the sharp
turnouts and while passing BBQ tripshed, saw a hell lots
of WAP4, in huge numbers as compared to WAM4. WAP4 from
CNB, LGD, AJJ, ED, and one AJJ WAP1 could also be seen.
3 WAM4 from AJJ in Sapthagiri livery added to the colors
in BBQ. ET WAM4 could also be seen. After BBQ, we were made
to halt at Korukkupet stn, for ½ Hr, because of Yard remodeling
work going on in connection with the 3rd line between korukkupet-Attipattu.
Main Notings:
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WAG7 from ED crawled at 15 kmph from GMD side, into Korukupet,
due to ongoing track works. |
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A MAS bound EMU trailed behind it.
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3rd line from Korukupet along with OHE wires and Signals,
are ready till Ennore station. |
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2 brand new bridges are being built across Ennore Creek,
the 1st one is to shift the DN Line to GMD from the older
one to this newer one. Speed restriction is 20kmph on this
older bridge, while the UP line has a SR of 80kmph. |
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New bridge to shift the old DN line is being built in
between the existing DN & UP lines. |
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Another new bridge is for the new 3rd Line. After Ennore
creek, till Athipattu, land leveling is being done |
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Encountered WAG7 tigerface from MGS, and also spotted
Asansol WAG5-23605 from ER, with empty BCNA rake, stabled
at TNP Yard, which later rushed past at 85-90 at GMD. |
Reached GMD and took photos turn by turn with the EMU that
was supposed to take us back to MAS. Boarded 2:40 PM EMU
bound to MAS, and enroute spotted lots of new Brakevans
without any parcel section, but only with 2nd class, space
for disabled, and guard van. Few coaches earmarked for CR
and few for SCR, at TNP yard.
After coming to MAS, had lunch, at 4:20PM, took then a TBM
bound EMU from Park, and reached PZA at 5:15PM, and we decided
to spend some time at PZA fast platforms, as it was raining.
Took videos of passing EMUs and one Express train with WDM3D.
Its really fun to watch action on the twin single lines
between MS-TBM. While MEMU towards MS, passed on the 4th
line (otherwise normally 3rd UP line) and 2 express trains one with
WDM3D passed towards TBM on 3rd Line (otherwise normally
4th DN line).
Later after dinner we spent some time again at PZA fast
platform, from 10:00pm till 11:20PM. PZA station is a wonderful
place to watch some high speed action trains, especially
on the fast platform, which is always desolated with very
minimum crowd. At about 10:10PM, the express with WAP4 headed
towards TBM, made its way on the 3rd line, while at 11:00PM
Rockfort express with WAP4 thundered its way on the 4th
line towards TBM.
There is a 80KMPH SR board on the 4th line at PZA station.
We both decided to stand just beside the board, and hid
the SR board, together and wanted to watch what will happen,
if the driver couldn't see he board. But again, just a timepass,
as the locopilots are given all the SR details, on a chart,
for any route.. And rockfort passed at 80kmph. Thereby ended
our 2nd day railfanning of Chennai Suburban.
Part-3
3rd September, 2007 - Palavanthangal
(PZA) - Chennai Central (MAS) - Arakkonam Jn (AJJ) & Back.
3rd September, 2007 was earmarked for railfanning on MAS-AJJ
route of Chennai Suburban. We got single ticket for AJJ,
each costing Rs 19, from PZA itself., cos return of GMD
from Park till PZA was still valid.
On the way, Sethu Express with GOC WDM2 16884 pulled at
Mambalam with us. And it overtook us at Nungampakkam curve.
Later we again overtook it at chetpet, before entering MS.
At MS we could spot a WAP4 and WAM4, both from AJJ, standing
powerless on PF 9. Our EMU then briskly pulled out at 70,
from MS, and entered Park station violently. First time,
I saw the EMU entering Park like this.
Alighted and caught AJJ bound EMU, from Pf14, and once again
spotted hell lot of WAP4, and WAM4, with one WAG5 in BBQ
tripshed. God knows, where did this WAG5 land up. At Avadi,
we encountered a NZ, and as usual, power went off inside
EMU.
Main Notings:
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In the Avadi
EMU carshed, there were many old EMU coaches with
Pantos removed, perhaps to be condemned, as they looked
older. |
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After Thiruvallur,
enroute AJJ, we again had one more NZ. |
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Work is on full
swing on the Thiruvallur-AJJ 3rd line. However the
weird part is that throughout from Thiruvallur till
AJJ, land is being levelled, and OHE poles have already
been fixed, but no tracks laid anywhere or even no
Ballast laid.. |
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However, ballast
and sleepers have been stacked / racked in enough
stock, right from Thiruvallur till AJJ, and work is
being executed by L&T for Southern Rlys. |
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Entered AJJ,
and couldn't see much of any action as it was noon.
Twin Bhillai WAG5 - 23597, 23712 with loaded coal
BOXN rakes, which was given clearance immediately
towards Mumbai or SBC side. |
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Had lunch outside, and then took few snaps of the yard from
the FOB, covering many EMUs stabled. Also spotted the Line
to CGL, which is not under wires, and could spot a TNP WDM7
with the passenger rake, stabled at farthest side of AJJ.
Later we boarded MAS bound EMU and reached MAS,
at about 5:30PM, reached Park, and found that there was
a Fast EMU for TBM, so went to Pf 3, and boarded it, got
down at MBM, and then caught a 12car and alighted at PZA,
thereby ending our long railfanning 3-day session in Chennai
Suburban. |
SriRangam
- Tambaram onboard Pallavan Express, 18th Aug, 2007.
| 18th
August 2007 was really a very good day for me. I went to
Srirangam (SRGM)(Near Thriruchirapalli - TPJ) and had the
opportunity to return by Pallavan exp, from SRGM to Tambaram(TBM)
that too for the first time.
The details & Observations
go as follows:
At SRGM, the Pallavan Exp was delayed for the following
reasons:
An Unknown Passenger with ED WDG3 Shakti, was waiting at
SRGM for the Rameshwaram- Chennai Egmore Express to arriev,
from TPJ And this delayed Pallavan which was to depart from
TPJ behind this train. Later the newly inaugrated Rameshwaram
- Chennai Egmore BG train, came behind GOC WDM2, and surprisingly
with WHITE LED MARKERS, completely different. Later our
Pallavan Express pulled in with ED WDM3D - 11102. This was
my first encounter with WDM3D. Train was late by 20 min.
IN between Lots of Photos and videos were taken. Notable
among these videos was the one which was taken from near
the rooftop of the AC Chaircar coach, through my cellphone
camera - Sony Z550i No !!..Dont worry, it was taken by carrying
my hand with phone above the door to the maximum possible
height, which then gave the impression of rooftop travelling,
while other hand tightly held the door from inside.
Notable observations:
1. The happy news is that Digging is in progress for laying
OHE poles, near Ariyalur.
2. Vridachalam Jn now has OHE poles completely installed,
with Wires getting installed on some 3-4 tracks,
3. From Vridachalam, enroute to Villupuram, the entire section
including all looplines and other stations are under wires
completely. Just waiting to get energised
4. Another notable observation is that the Newly converted
BG line from Vridachalam to Salem is also under wires with
the wires being installed, and poles ready. So, we can expect
TPJ under wires by the year end, with the TPJ - VM section
gettign energised and TPJ bound trains with AC Electircs.
Enroute, the train hardly crossed 100. Or did only 100,
but the pickup of WDM3D was good, as compared to WDM2. Villupuram
was reached at 9:40 AM and I could see some 9 to 11 YDM4
all put on a the remaining MG lines along with some tanker
wagons and lots of AB as well as VB MG rakes.
WAP4 ED 22617 was ready to do the honours for Pallavan,
for its VM- MS run. Immediately, WDM3D got decoupled, and
went ahead , reversed, went light towards TPJ end at VM,
and then WAP4 trailed WDM3D with a distance and got coupled
to our train, and All this happened within 8 min. Very surprising
!!..
Enroute, following things were observed:
1. At VM, all the OHE wires are being removed for the MG
tracks
2. Lots of YDM4 and MG rakes parked
at VM
3. The usual silverish shine on the MG rails gone, and now
the whole line till TBM is rusty red, showing that the line
is completely closed / abandoned.
4. Enroute, many signals are powered
OFF for the MG line, eventhough some one or 3 signals
still are active.
5. Some loop lines disconnected for MG line enroute, but
Wires intact
6. At Vikravandi, the same 2 MG EMU
coaches were found on the MG sidings.
7. WAP4 did smooth running, and did some 105 kmph on some
sections, but thanks to some works and temporary SR of 20
/ 45 etc, which slowed down the continous high speed run...
8. One typical AC neutral zone on MG line, where there is
no wire at all above the MG track... Was it like this before?
If yes, then it wud have been very much interesting to see
the YAM1 lowering Pantos, and running even sans wires, for
this distance..
9 Tambaram was reached at 12:35 PM, and here the wires
for MG line is completely gone
10. Also Before entering Tambaram from CGL side, there is
a neutral zone, where, on the Blue "Panto Up/DOWN"
sign board, Words "EMU" were written...
11. But on the NZ after CGL, enroute to TBM, the Panto signboards
just said LOCOS, on the sides of the sign. Then we boarded
the EMU from TBM and got down at PZA, and went home, thus
ending my first ever rail journey on this section. |
Visit to ICF, Chennai - Date:
July 8, 2007.
| After being in
Chennai for nearly 1 Yr, today I could get my long pending
dream of visiting ICF, fulfilled.... And my Sincere Thanks
to Mr. Sridhar Joshi,
IRFCA, and also Mr.
Rakesh Mishra, Chief
Design Engineer, ICF, Chennai,
for fulfilling this dream and making my day the best.
The Trip Report goes as follows: (Long indeed, but defintely
worth reading!!) Mr. Sridhar Joshi arranged a visit to ICF,
consequent to my request. I planned to meet him at his house
in perambur, had breakfast and then we buzzed off to ICF,
furnishing division. We met a one of the key persons in
ICF - Mr. Rakesh Mishra, who is Chief Design Engineer -
main person in making / suggesting of designs of the coaches.
We had a light chat, and then he took both of us to the
furnishing division, and LO - as a railfan, I visualised,
I was in HEAVEN !!... Many NEW Coaches being refurbished
in front of me, and my fingers itching very badly, to take
out my mobile camera, and shoot a video or take unlimited
pix, BUT!!! unfortunately, i had to control myself as I
was in a secured area !!
Now the observations go as:-
a) My sight falling over the newest MUMBAI
SUBURBAN COACHES being manufactured by ICF, and
being readied to be handed over to MRVC,
who in turn will allocate to CR
/ WR.
b) Motor Coach of ACDC EMU was energised without any issues.
c) On 1st assembly line, there were some 5 MRVC coaches
lined, without any paints but only with grey color all,
and persons busy fitting all the fans, lights, seats and
everything. And also one driving coach with Aerodynamic
profile, with roof mounted AC for motorman cabin, and the
2nd coach with all SIEMENs equipments fitted, and looking
great.. The motor coach had stylish windows, and believe
me, the motor man will enjoy driving new ACDC EMUs royally.
d) On another assembly line, another set of normal
EMU Coaches meant for Chennai, were worked upon,
painted in Green-Cream livery
with wide windows and widescreen motorcoach.
e) Now the most interesting and different part - on 3rd
Assembly line, 3 coaches, specially manufactured as part
of Lifeline Express
project,getting ready. we were shown the interiors, which
was simply awesome, and one portion readied with sterilisers,
and other portions getting readied as labs, operation theatres,
and generators for powering these coaches, looked too good,
and different. They plan to handover officially, these 5
coaches to the NGO - Impact iNdia, who wud run this train
to conduct surgeries across India, fre of cost..
f) Now, on 4th assembly line, I see 3 coaches, named as
"2AC ChairCar Coaches",
with very wide windows, in normal AB livery. Need to understand
whats that...
g) on 5th assembly line, again Mumbai
MRVC coaches lined up, with work going on at
full scale. even though the coaches were not painted, but
in grey white wash like cover, the door was painted full
white, with light violet strips running below windows. This
wud defintely look damn neat and cool, among the old maroon-cream
livery, or even the ppresent blue-cream livery of acdc emus.
So, mumbaikars, believe me, you long wait is really worth...
Cos, the 2nd class seats are also gonna be cushioned, ,
and there are centrally forced ducts, which will blow out
fresh cooler air, which would bring down the inner temperatures
to some extent. All these, you wud have seen on MRVC's website,
but I am seeing this all live !!.
h) 5 MRVC rakes of 12 coaches each,
are being built upon, the deadline will defintely cross
over to september. By June end, its planned to ready one
rake, and handover to SIEMENS for field trials, to be carried
out on SR slow lines, so CHENNAITES keep an eye on the tracks
!!!...
Also, outside the big shed, onto the courtyard, I cud see
some more MRVC coaches, with 2 Driving coaches stationed,
all having aeroynamic profil, and beautiful head lights,
as well as big parking lights.. Once the trials are through,
the rakes will b delivered. and the interesting part is
that, they have got 2 designs one
for Central Rly, and one for Western Rly, since both configurations
for their EMUs differ.
However, CDE updated me that all 5 rakes may go to WR, and
he was actually not sure of this allocations... Need to
get some info on this...
i) After seeing all this, and hearing the descriptions,
from CDE, we returned to his office, and we had some interactions
with him, and got the following updates...
A] 2 facts are official, and will be defintely
implemented by ICF
i) All wooden seats
on UNreserved coaches, converted into cushion sheets, work
undertaken. [Good indeed]!!
ii) All Sleeper coaches
will have middle side berths fitted between side lower &
side upper berths, prototype has been maded, and approved
by Ministry of Rlys. Yes, he himself agreed saying that
passenger comforts has been compromised, but they are trying
to enable more passengers to travel in the single coach..
[Very bad indeed!!]
B] One of Reason for Double Decker coaches
production discontinued - Passenger safety being the main
reason i.e. when the double decker trains pass non stop
thru any station, heavy dust & garbage gets blown, half
of which comes into the lower deck windows, since they are
very near to ground level.
C] Now, designs from RCF, ICF, BEML, has been
made 99% similar, with 1% difference.. infact, CDE is on
a official trip tommorow to Bangalore, to give the coach
designs to BEML.
After sipping thru a cup of tea, we made our departure from
ICF, and bade goodbye to the CDE, and then, after coing
to Perambur, I bade goodbye to Sridhar, and thanked him
profusely for making my day, the BEST !!.. and finally caught
an EMU , assuming it to be MAS, but to my surprise, after
Padi, it changed lines, and LO !!, I was on Chennai Beach
EMU, which made my life much easier in the scorching sun
of Chennai, as I had to go to Palavanthangal.
At Royapuram, saw Ajni WAG7 27315 with words "Static
Convertor Fitted", I guess, I am seeing this type for
1st time with AJNI, CR. My EMU snaked the way and reached
Chennai Beach, and then I hopped on to another EMU for Tambaram,
and made my way !!!>.. |
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