scribblings

Sarcasm is something which has to come by practice and it needs all the more practice to be able to catch and appreciate it.

The following is a set of dialogues involving some friends/wingmates told at various points of time, arranged chronologically...


S to me: did u know A is a stud. some of his status messages are just too good.


S to me: u heard A's latest one-liner, "the only place to think in chennai is Bangalore"


S to me: Saw A's status. "my musically challenged neighbour is playing on the electric drill"


R in general: I dont know how whatever A does, becomes news!


me to S: did u know, A took bath in cold water today...

It were the birds once, and now its the Swine...

Well, it all comes from animalia and because of some of the homo sapiens who find it interesting/exciting/tasty/what-not to be associated with them fauna as nutritive constituents raw or otherwise.

many such diseases, epidemics, ailments, have been because of men/women indulging them animals into something they are not meant for.

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza, what not...

why cant humans exercise some control over themselves?

This morning i happen to read the article cited below.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/27/stories/2009072759450300.htm

It talks of e-waste management and all the related issues.

later during the day, i was walking on the road in nandanam, when i noted this particular flower vendor. The old lady has a 4-wheel-ed mega-size UPS cabinet for the shop and has her flowers over it. Once she closes business, she dumps the stuff into the cabinet and pushes it home...

I had been to Salem on saturday for a wedding reception. I had left for SA in the morning by 6627 West Coast Express and returned the same night by 6670 Yercaud Express.

I left home at 10:30 am. I was lazy enough to walk to the MRTS station and hence took a bus to Central Station. As our bus was climbing down the Flyover opposite to MAS, KZJ WAG7 27834 was pulling a filled BOXN rake thro' MPK towareds MS. I was at the lobby of MAS at 11 am. 6627 was already on Pf 1. Pf 2 had the rake of 2681/82 with KZJ WDG3A 14943 at the head of it. 2028 had arrived behind AJJ WAP1 22000 and AJJ WAP4 22624 had brought in some other train.

I made my way to Pf 1 and my coach, S8 was 3rd or 4th from the loco. A fresh consignment of fish was being loaded into the MCPV (motor cum parcel van), it also meant we would have the smell of fish throughout the journey. ED WAP4 22661 showed up from BBQ and got itself attached to our rake. BZA WAM4 21237 was spotted at the other end of the station detached from some other train and TNP WDM7 11008 was doing shunting work.

All the berths in S8 were in SA quota. I was allotted S8/39 SL. We were 4 of us travelling together and were allotted 33, 34, 37 and 39. As we made to our bay, a couple of ladies were occupying the window seats and an old man was already lying down on my SL. He was travelling alone was allotted S8/40 which is SU. However, whoever had come to drop him at the station had told him that the lower is his berth and he can sleep all the way to SA. As it was on the left side of train, which meant that i cant do any spotting if I sit there, I wasnt particular about sitting there and could let somebody else use that seat. i was very unhappy with the fact that somebody had misguided this old man, who was all of 88 yrs of age, and made him occupy my seat as well. Clever people. As we claimed our seats, one of the ladies vacated the window seat and let us sit. At 11:20 another man had come to our bay and it only then did we realise that the ladies were not reserved passengers but general travellers.

Of the 8 people in our bay, one of them did not turn-up at all. One of them was a silent man who kept to his books and walkman. One of them was this old man. And the other was a low-rung politician who was an aide to some bigger political guy who was travelling in the next bay. I guess they were all accompanying some big-shot who was on one of the AC coaches.

I explained to the old man that his was not a berth but just a seat and his berth was upstairs. I had to make a lot of explaining to convince him that he cannot sleep all thro' the journey, as that would mean one of us would be seat-less. We got our starter right on time and we departed merrily. 1042 was waiting to depart from Pf 3.

There were lots of unreserved travellers all of the coach, in our Upper Berths and the SU as well. Some of them even slept off. Most of them alighted at AJJ and rest of them at KPD. However, every halt meant a set of these people got down and another set got in. Thankfully, none of them pressurised for a seat, and just walked away if we refused to let them sit. There were 2 such people sitting in our bay. I let the old man sleep for a while and I sat on the window seat 33, facing the journey of the train.

BBQ yard had many locos. TNP WD7 11004 & 11013, WDS4 19257, 19258, 19299. KJM WDM3A 17994, WDP4 20029. LDH WAG7 27286. ED WAP4 22294. and many more WAP4s and WAM4s. We were doing good speeds and went thro' stations one after another in good speeds. There were a few SRs enroute. We even halted a couple of times in between. 6054 TPTY ICE crossed us somewhere near ABU/AVD with AJJ WAM4 21232 in saptagiri livery. At TRL, we had to slow down to move from the Up fast line to the Up line. TRL-AJJ third line has been almost completed at most places. I think it is yet to connected at both ends though, and some signalling works also should be remaining. There were some SRs here too. We came to a complete halt at Puliyamangalam. And eventually pulled into AJJ at 12:45. Late by 22 minutes.

The catering people had started coming right from MAS. They were selling chapati (with veg, egg or chicken curry) and veg/egg/chicken biriyani for lunch. There were cooldrinks, biscuits, chips and water bottles too. I wanted to take the Chapati with veg curry. Others in my group went against my advice and got 2 Veg and 1 Chicken biriyanis. I was particular in eating the lunch as soon as it was served so that it would be some-what hot. However with the group being lethargic and indifferent, by the time we actually opened our packets, the biriyanis were cold and pathetic. The Chapatis were ok and the veg sabji was somewhat warm and i could eat it without much ado. The Catering vendor mentioned that the pack would contain 3 Chapatis for 35 Rupees, but my packet had 4. The Veg Biriyani was being sold for Rs. 30 and the Chicken Biriyani for Rs. 50.

I did not note all the crossings. There were many many passenger trains and freighters which kept passing by. I was totally amazed at the traffic on this section. This was the first time i was travelling on this section during the day time and i was very excited about it and rather shocked at the amount of traffic our IR handles.

We departed from AJJ at 12:50, (late by 25 min) as as we departed 2680 from CBE pulled into the adjacent platform behind AJJ WAP4 22618. The CGL line platforms at AJJ had a passenger rake behind TNP WDM2 17570.

Quite a few of the unreserved passengers had got down at AJJ and there were a few others who had replaced them.

We reached WJR (walaja road) at 13:20 and left after a momentary halt. We were having a good run all the way to KPD, except for a SR near VIT campus where a RUB is being constructed. We even halted momentarily before reaching KPD at 13:50. There were some frieghters and passenger train rakes at KPD station. A DMU towards TPTY was waiting to depart from the other end of the station. It was a SCR rake.

We departed from KPD at 13:55. (late by half an hour) ED WAG7 27470 and 27904 were both spotted around KPD. The line to VLR takes off from the main line on the right side and then climbs a ramp and turn left to pass over a bridge and go southwards to VLR.

We crossed Vaniyambadi at 14:40 and reached JTJ at 15:00. (late by 20 min) AJJ 22003 was on the adjacent line with the rake of TPJ-ED-JTJ Passenger. TNP 19260 was spotted with some shunting work.

We did not make up much of the delay. We halted at Tiruppattur (TPT) at 15:15, Morappur (MAP) at 15:50 and Bommidi (BQI) at 16:10. 3352 to DHN/TATA crossed us at BQI behind AJJ WAP1 22015.

One station short of Magnesite Junction, at Karuppur, a BOXN rake was standing without a loco. AJNI WAG9 31099 was detatched and standing separtely.

We pulled into SA at 16:50.(late by 15 min) we were on Pf 2. Pf 3 had the rake of 853 SA - Mettur Dam Passenger with CNB WAG7 27510 as its power. This passenger has a RSA with ED - Mettur Dam Passenger. It is the train which carries the slip coaches on 1063/64 to Mettur Dam. 6332 to CSTM was departing from Pf1 behind ED WDM2 18698. empty rake of 1063/64 was standing with ED WDM2 16657 attached to it.

All thro' the trip we could see the rural North Tamilnadu and the dried fields, the scare vegetation. Much in contrast to the middle Tamil Nadu, which is usually lush green with Paddy fields and sugarcane and maize and all the other cultivations, this part of the country has some sugarcane, groundnut and an occasinal maize field only. This part of the area is predominantly black soil and some red soil in some parts.

Now the people in our bay. The old man was to himself, he sat for a while, slept for a while, had his meal somewhere between AJJ and KPD and he was sure to not let any of the unreserved people use the SL. The most interesting of the lot was the politician. Talking in a typical accent of the rural north Tamil Nadu, one was reminded of the comical way the politicians are portrayed in films. Talking on phone in the typical accent, taking name of high profile politicians and ministers at ease, saying we will get anything done and about somebody visiting some wedding somewhere, and all that talk going on, we were quite amused and laughing inside, though the kind of group they were, we were actually scared with the kind of movements they were making and in between, after they had got their food, this man went off somewhere for a while and then came back with a 'bottle' hid inside his folded dhoti and thats it, i refused to even look that side because i was so scared.

I also noticed that there is ROB right in the middle of KPD station. And Sholingar Station has a level crossing right in the middle of the Platforms. Also, saw that the Up and Down lines were not having the same alignment in some strechtes. Particularly near Vaniyambadi, i found that the alignment drifts off totally.

All thro' the journey the catering staff were selling biscuits, chips, bottles of cooldrinks. They were frequenting with more cooldrink bottles than water bottles. There were non-IRCTC vendors too, selling fruits, boiled peanuts etc. Guavas, Chikkus, Pineapple slices, you name them, they all came. And as the evening started to show up, there were people selling strands of flowers too.

Yes, indeed a day-time journey on a train gives a lot of insight not only into the Railways, but also about the country thro' which one travels, the people, the food everything.

During the return journey, we had come back to SA station by 21:35. our train 6670 from ED was supposed to arrive and depart from Pf 1 at 22:00. We made our way thro' the Pedestrian Subway to reach the Island platform Pf 1, 2. ED WDG3A 14638 was standing idle and alone in the sidings. 2644 Express from NZM to TVC was expected on Pf 2 around the same time. YPR - SA passenger ahd come into Pf 3.

Our train had arrived a few minutes late. ED WAP4 22381 was incharge. Our Coach S11, was 01271/A. It was the 19th coach from the loco. This train is also a 23/24 coacher, and has an RSA with 2603/04, with primary maintainence at ED. Our tickets were in the last bay, 67-70. however, only one of the doors of the coach was open. Which meant we had to walk all the way thro' the coach to reach our berths. Only to find that the Lower berths and side berths were already occupied and the passengers were all sleeping already. We had to sit on the MBs and stay awake for the TTE to come and check the tickets. The train departed around 22:15 only. There was no sign of 2644 yet. I thought we could atleast spot a crossing somewhere on the way. I was awake till about 22:45, till the TTE checked our tickets, still one couldnt spot that train.

After a long and tiresome day, i settled in my MB for a good sleep. Usually, even during the nights, when the train halts, i wake up. This time however, i did not note down the passing of stations. AT 0245, we were just halting at a station. I wanted to check where we are and prayed it was KPD, so that we would arrive late at MAS. However my hopes of sleeping for some moretime were shattered as we were pulling into AJJ. As we were pulling into Pf 2 of AJJ, i could see another train trailing us and coming into AJJ. I thought they would get the signal ahead of us. However, it was not to be. We pulled out almost immediately while the other train entered Pf 5, or one of the far off platforms at AJJ. I thought we might arrive at MAS rather early, and went back to my MB. We reached TRL around 0315. We halted for a moment. Some EMUs were there. Atleast one of them was lit and must be getting ready for the first departure. We crawled thro' AVD around 03:35-03:40 and pulled into PER at 04:00. We left after a moment halt. The others in our bay had woken up by then. The 2 old men in the LBs were both dressing up and we crossed VPY and were greeted with a red at BBQ outer. 3351 was leaving towareds ALLP behind WAP4 22647. We pulled into Pf6 of MAS bang on time, 04:30. 6310 to ERS was waiting to depart. It had ED WAP4 22232 and AJJ WAP1 22001 on either side of it. The WAP1 would pull her for the rest of the journey.

At BBQ, AJJ 22792, 22015, 22005, LGD WAP7 30238, TNP 19418, 11004, 19301 were all spotted. The Raj rake was waiting to be shunted into the Station. AJJ 22776 had brought in, the Howrah mail. 21232 was attached to the rear-end of the Saptagiri rake.

I came out of MAS and took a bus home.

Overall, a nice trip. I particularly enjoyed travelling on the MAS-SA section during the day time.

People close to me might know that I am mad about black colour. Anything that I would choose for myself, I would prefer black and always choose some shade of black or its allied colours.

--

I am going to buy a cap. I called my mom and said I am going to buy a cap. She wants me to buy some light coloured one. She knows I cant resist a black. Yet, she keeps telling. I walk into Gurunath. I look for possibly good looking and fitting caps. Something black keeps coming back to my hand. I cant help it. I am not impressed with anything else. I buy a black cap. I call mom again and say, I bought a Black Cap. She says she knew that I cant buy anything else. Moms know their kid very well.

--

I lost my black cap. The most favourite of my black caps. I dont remember where I left it. I m very desparately trying to recollect as to where I could have missed it. Where did I wear it to, where did I leave it, Who could have taken it, Who could have know its whereabouts. Its not even a few months since I got it. I am pained. I am confused. I am depressed. I am mad. Where is it?

--

The older Black Cap has been hence put to much more use. I have been using the older black cap for a few weeks now. And I dont know where i left this one too. I went back to my room and checked, I couldnt find it. I go out to T Nagar for some work and keep looking for shop which sells caps. I dont find a cap vendor. I come back without any black caps. I open the door, latch it behind me and strip. I put them clothes into the wash bucket and there it is, between the wall and the bucket, the old black cap. Yes i have a black cap.

--

I am walking into the hostel and I notice that the security has a black cap in his hand. My heart races. Could it be my new black cap that has been missing since a few weeks. I fill water into my bottle from the dispenser and climb the staircase. However my attention to that Black cap has not yet ceased. I keep seeing it to confirm if it is mine. I have reached my floor. I still see his hand and I now know that what he has in his hand is my Black cap indeed.

--

My heart is racing. He has my Black Cap. My Favourite Black Cap. I want to go tell him its mine, and snatch it from his hand. I want my cap back. I take my empty water jug and go down again to fill it. He seems to have kept my Black Cap somewhere inside one of his draws. I should find it out and take it from him. I should tell him its mine and ask for it. I fill my jug and start talking a friend passing by. My mind is still trying to find out where he has kept it. When do i ask him to give me back my cap?

--

I start climbing the stairs yet again with this friend telling something, and I still look at the security and there he takes my cap out of one of his drawers. And I keep looking at it. I prolong the conversation as we reach my floor. I keep talking to this friend while my mind and eye are still watching the security and his hand which has my black cap. He puts it back below the table. I keep watching I should go and tell him its mine and talk possession of my Black Cap.

--

The friend has left. I start walking to my room. I turn back and peep downstairs. He is not at his seat. Where has he gone? I look up and look to the other side of the corridor. He is there at the other entrance and he is not looking here. I keep the jug on the staircase and take a dash downstairs. Without his noticing, i crawl up the table and put my hand to frantically fetch my cap and i run back to my floor. I got back my Black Cap but my heart is beating faster. He is still at the other end of the corridor. I come to my room and put my Black Cap for a much needed wash.

--

I am sitting in my room under my laptop. My door is open and the bucket with My black Cap in it is right there near the entrance. I hear some noise from the next room. I know that people have kept stuff and would keep moving things in and out of that room. And there he is, the security at my door for a moment. I ask him what he wants and he says he came with some students who wanted to keep/take stuff from the adjacent room and goes away. I realise that the black cap is visible. Did he see it? Did he see my black cap in my bucket???

Warning: It could be somewhat long and boring.

I went to Madurai with my extended family for a cousin's wedding. we left by 2637 pandian express on 9th June 2009 and returned by 6128 guruvayur - chennai egmore express on 12th June 2009.

On the 9th june 2009. i was suppose to be at MS station as early as i could, so that i can be receiving all the relatives who would come and we were 2 dozen people who were to travel together.

My brother and I reached MS around 20:10 and 2637 was already placed on Pf4. Our coach was S8, the 3rd or 4th from the loco. 104 PDY-MS passenger had arrived on Pf 2 behind ED WAP4 22222. KJM 20062 SHF was already attached to the rake of 2637. adjacent Pf5 had 2631 with AJJ 22712 in charge. Pf 6 had 2661 Pothigai Express behind GOC 15532. 2665 to CAPE was on Pf9 behind AJJ 21235.

Earlier, i got news that 6101 MS-RMM Express had ED 22380 as its power.

I couldn't venture much, as people had started arriving. Our coach was SMB-ed and all 81 berths were allotted. The choice of berths for LB/MB/UB/SL/SU was kept intact and the berth numbers got changed hence. In the middle of our group, there was one person each allotted in each of the coupes to the SMBs, and thankfully they all agreed to shift to the last of our bays and hence we had all 9 berths in 2 coupes and some people shifting to the third to just sleep. Our coach was 06210 and it was a neat coach. not much of complaints. The tables were working, the lights/fans were all working too. there was actually no confusion amongst the passengers. everybody seems to have looked at the charts and hence all of them occupied at their newly allotted berths.

that evening, 2665 left on time. later 6128 came into Pf 9 behind AJJ 22774. This should be the power of 6177 later in the evening. ED 22222 which had brought 104 went and took charge of 1063. 11013 was spotted doing shunting duties.
2661 and 2631 also departed on time. empty rake of 6107 was put into Pf5 and ED 11103 was the power of this train for the day.

We departed on time. I wasn't expecting any crossings for a while and there weren't any till VM. My mom and I chose to take a SLB and SMB so that we could sit and/or sleep at our will. We were sitting till VM. after which i climbed into the SMB and slept for a while. We reached TPJ around 4 in the morning. we had put the SMB back in place and were sitting again, after a hot cup of coffee. (usual railway coffee.)

as we were pulling in, a TNP WDMx was pulling an empty rake out of Pf 1A into the KRR line. The stabling lines beyond Pf 1A had GOC 15524, GOC 17674, ED 11239 all light. We were admitted into Pf 3. Pf 2 had the rake of TPJ -RMM passenger behind ED 17811. We departed in about 5 minutes.

at DG, ERS 18532 was standing light on the next platform. We were more or less keeping time i guess. At Vaiyampatti a freighter was waiting behind GOC twins, for us to cross.

We pulled into MDU around 6:30 am. 783 MDU - SCT passenger and MDU - VM passenger rakes were seen. also spotted were GOC 18337, ED 17699. 2636 Vaigai Express to MS was on Pf 5 waiting behind ED 11105 to depart at 06:45 am.

Return trip was by 6128 on 12th June. The train was supposed to arrive at 11:00 and leave at 11:10. So, we had all of ten minutes to dump in 2 dozen people and enough number of suitcases and cartons and hand bags.

We had all arrived with all the baggage by 10:30 in 2 batches and had got into Pf1 of MDU station where the train was supposed to arrive. As we were entering SCT - MDU Passenger pulled into Pf4 behind ED 16805 and within minutes 0683 SBC-NCJ spl pulled into Pf 2 behind GY WDG3A 16484. 0683 departed after a brief halt, which is when i spotted the slip coaches of 6128 behind KJM WDP4 20022 LHF on Pf 3. It consists of one SLR, S5 - S8 and D5. Our tickets were on S6. The porters on seeing this said they would take all our luggage to Pf 3 and put it into the coach. which also meant some people of our group also went along. Just as the porters dumped all the luggage into the s6 coach, and half of our group had got in, the short rake started to move. It was only 10:50 and the rest of 6128 had not yet arrived either, but this short rake started to move. Thankfully, all our luggage was loaded and with some of our people inside the train to take care of the boxes, the rest of them came back to Pf 1 and we were waiting at the position of the coach so that we can get in, when it is attached.

6128 from GUV pulled in at 11:10 behind ERS WDM 2A 16565. She immediately got detached and ran off. The MDU slip coaches came back from the yard and got itself attached and we all got in. It was all done by 11:25. The coach was pretty old one, 98351. However, it looks clean. The mobile chargers weren't working however. However, we were to wait for the starter. And even after we got the starter, we werent moving for sometime. Eventually, at 11:55 6340 NCJ-CSTM Express pulled into Pf2 adjacent to us behind ED 18533. And we departed MDU at 12 noon, full 50 minutes late. Outside MDU station we had a momentary halt just before the Vaigai bridge and after that we were off in style. The DP4 showed some of its capabilites. We were doing good speeds till KQN where we were put on the loop. the main line had a long BCNA rake with GOC Twins 17619 & 17835 (leading & JHF) waiting to move towards TPJ. We pulled into Dindigul (DG) at 13:05 hours. on the adjacent platform was the empty rake of VM-MDU-DG passenger with the vinyl posters of 'SMTM silks, Madurai' stuck all over it. 383 CBE-NCJ Passenger came in behind ED WDM3A 16479R freshly painted in orange with a silver stripe. I guess, this loco is just back from DMW. We left DG after a 5 minute halt. At Ayyalur(AYR), we were put on the loop line and one was expecting 6127 to be the one we were waiting for. However, it was a BOXN rake behind GOC WDG3A 14944. We had a minute's halt at Manaparai (MPA) however 6127 was still not seen. At Samudiram (SMDM), 6127 was waiting for us. The power was a WDP4. however i couldnt notice the road number. I guess it must be 20062 which had pulled 2637 on 9th june, according the loco link, it must have taken 6128 from MDU to VM during the day on 10th and then gone to TEN with 2631 on the night of 10th. it must have come back to VM with 2631 on the 12th morning and hence would be pulling 6127.

We pulled into TPJ at 14:30. At the yard, empty rake of the evening's 2664 was waiting behind GOC WDS6 36001 to be pulled into the station. The UR coaches were already getting filled at the yard itself. There were quite a few locos all around TPJ station. TNP WDM7 11002, ERS WDM3A 18700, ERS WDM3A 17894, TNP WDM2 17570, ED WDM2 18600, GOC WDP3A 15504, GOC WDM2 16864. There was also a BOXN rake behind ED WDG3A twins 14667 & 14664. We departed after a 5 minute halt. At GOC, there was a BCNA rake behind ED WDG3A 13511 waiting to move towards SRGM. Also spotted light was TNP 11004 on the loop lines. We halted at SRGM and ALU for a minute each.

At Mathur(MTUR), 2635 Vaigai Express was waiting for us behind ED WDM3D 11105. At Ichangadu (ICG) a BCNA rake was waiting behind ED WDM twins. We pulled into VRI around 16:15. On the adjacent platform was the 701 VM-MDU passenger waiting behind GOC WDM2 16867. We left after a minute's halt. At Ulundurpet was a BOXN with the loco detached. It looked like a WAG5. We pulled into VM at 17:30. AJJ WAP4 22696 was going to take-over our train from here. On the adjacent platform was VM-PDY Passenger behind AJJ WAM4 20647. This train departed as soon as we arrived. Other locos spotted were ED WDM3D 11201 and GOC WDM2 twins 17620 & 17676. The loco change happened rather fast. We however waited for 2605 to arrive. It arrived behind AJJ WAM4 20671 at 17:50 and we departed immediately. At Perani outer, we halted briefly though we had the signal to proceed. 6735 Chendur Express was waiting here behind GOC WMD2 17674. 6713 behind an ERS loco was waiting, for us to cross, at Thozhuppedu. We reached MLMR around 19:00 hours. We were waiting for 2633 to arrive. The horn i heard was quite shrill and for a moment, I thought if 2633 started getting a DP4 or some electric loco. However in a moment, 2633 pulled in behind ED WDM3D 11228. We reached CGL around 19:30 and departed almost immediately. It started to look very cloudy and a slight drizzle started also. It was pretty dark also. I hence couldnt notice crossings or spottings after CGL. TNP WDM7 11003 was at CGL behind a short passenger rake. By the time, we crossed a couple of stations the rain had caught up heavily and all the windows had to be shut which meant, all the more bad visibility. We reached TBM around 20:00 and by then the rain had got thinner. AJJ WAP4 22712 pulled 6101 which crossed somewhere in between. a momentary halt at MBM. we reached Chetpet station and had to wait for 5 minutes, till 2663 would pull out behind AJJ WAM4 20652. We finally pulled into MS Pf9 at 20:30 hours (late by 15 minutes). The Pf8 had a solitary HCPV, prolly detached from 2663. AJJ 22696 which pulled us all the way, immediately got detached and went to wait behind 2631 on Pf 5. It would have later pulled 6177.

Given the number of people in the group and the loads of luggage, with the lack of porters and trolleys on Pfs 8&9 adding to the problems, one had to take care of stuff and leave home soon, rather than try do some railfanning. We used the Vepery side entrance to get out of the station and left MS station around 9 pm.

The GC of TBM-VM MG to BG is happening. The MG rails, and the iron-rod type sleepers have been ripped off at many places. The new sleepers also seem to have arrived at some places. However, lots of work does need to happen before one can see a double line till VM.

The second line between DG and MDU is almost done. It runs parallel for most of the stretch except for the Ambatturai - Vadipatti section, where they come close to each other at the KQN station, in between. The linking of the line to the main line at MDU station is still left.

Also I noticed 3 or 4 BG-MG diamonds outside DG station where the DG-POY-PTJ/PGT MG line crosses over the full BG network. All of them are at acute angles. These diamonds would become history as the MG section is already closed for GC. The only other place i have seen a diamond is outside MSB station on the MRTS line. There is a diamond connection for the Pfs 7 & 8. At CGL, where the AJJ line has to cross over the MG line, it is a dual gauge line for a short stretch.

Overall, it was a nice trip to remember for a long time. though, there were no surprise links or eventful happenings, I guess it is quite a thing for everything to be happening normal too.

Trip to Trichy

My parents and I were travelling to Trichy by 6713 on 14th May and returning by 6108 on 16th May.

On the evening of 14th May, we left home rather late around 16:15 and thankfully my uncle dropped us at the auto/taxi entrance of MS by 16:35. We took the escalator on Pf 4 to the FOB and as we were descending the stairs of Pf 7, the rake of 6713 was being shunted in with the loco already attached. a TNP WDM2 was pushing it from GSN yard. I was getting excited to know that a TNP loco might be pulling our train. As it was pretty late, i resisted checking the MS loco shed for the locos that were present. The charts of the morning arrived 2662 were still on the coaches. This confirms RSA between 2661/62 and 6713/14.

Our coach S4 was 8th from loco behind a Extra Sleeper and SLR and 2 UR coaches and S1-3. It was a pretty old coach (91315) but was decently clean and maintained. My excitement was very short lived. The TNP diesel got detached and went away. she later reversed and got attached to MS-NCJ special on Pf3. this was 17677. ERS WDM3A 14046 came and got itself attached to our train. Also noticed that the rear end of the train had a 'shatabdi' liveried coach. i dont know what it was doing there.

Pf 6 had the empty rake of 2661/62 pothigai express with no loco attached. Pf 5 has MS-KCG express with LGD 22517 at the helm. Pf8 had Circar express waiting behind BZA WAM4 21224. We got our starter bang on time. We departed at 17:00 sharp, and so did 7651 on the opposite direction. At the GSN yard, spotted TNP WDM7 11010, and some WDS4 shunters too. Being the first departure for the evening and with not (m)any crossings scheduled we had a clear run and were going good. At the MKK loop line, TNP WDM2 18319 was ready to take the rake of another of MS-NCJ spls towards MS. All the suburban stations flew past us.

We reached TBM in 25 minutes. we were taken into Pf 8. Pf 9 had 113SR TBM-VM passenger with AJNI 27228 heading it. I have observed that as a rule, 113SR always gets WAGs from shed far in the north, always.

We moved out in a couple of minutes. The run to CGL was good. There is difference in the kind of surroundings after TBM. It gets a little more rural. A mix of buildings and fields and some industries scattered. We entered CGL around 17:50. At CGL were two trains on adjacent platforms waiting to move towards AJJ. 6352 NCJ-CSTM express was waiting behind ED 11186 and PDY-TPTY passenger was behind GOC 18699. As we came to a halt, 6352 got its starter and moved, only to stop immediately. We left after a 2 min halt and 6352 started again at the same time.

Reached MLMR around 18:20. Usually the 6128 and 6713 crossing happens at MLMR. however, the 6128 was late and had not yet showed up at MLMR. We were given the starter in a minute. 6128 was waiting for us as Poovanur (PVN) behind LGD 22354. We had our one minute halt at Tindivanam & earlier a momentary halt at Madurantakam as well. VM reached bang on time at 19:30. As we pulled in, PDY-VM passenger also walked in behind AJJ WAM4 20656. In the CGL-VM section, the MG line is removed in many bits. At stations especially, the line has been removed to make way for crossings/loops and possible doubling(?). The surroundings beyond CGL get all the more rural and with lush green fields on both sides and a evening sun-set. it was quite a sight to watch.

We departed VM by 19:45. The catering guys had taken dinner orders well in advance. The food that was loaded at VM was almost immediately served. 3 Parottas with veg curry (carrots, beans, potatos, green peas, channa) was pretty hot and tasty as well. It was a little spicy for my tongue though, worth the 25 bucks.

We reached VRI at 20:20. The biggest surprise of my full trip was here. a freshly painted WCR loco 18869 with no shed markings was standing the sidings. It had WCR and 'pa ma re' prominently painted on the cabin.

Our only crossing in this section happened at Kallakudi Palanganathan, were a passenger train was waiting for us to clear the line. After a on-time arrival and scheduled stop at ALU, we reached SRGM at 21:50 or so. We were taken into Pf 1. Usually if 6713 is late it is taken into Pf 2 & 6178 and 6713 have their crossing at SRGM. However, that day 6713 was on time and got the starter immediately as well. We were made to stop on the main line at Trichy Town station. As we were coming to a halt, one could see 6178 The Rocky was coming towards us. She entered the loop behind ED 11206 and came to a halt on Pf 1. Both trains departed immediately and almost simaltaneously in opposite directions. We moved smooth and in good speed thro' GOC and entered TPJ station at 22:30, 5 min behind schedule into Pf 4. 6108 was waiting to depart from Pf 3 behind 11213. She departed almost immediately after our train came in.

At TPJ, the Pf 5 had some short passenger rake and a WDP3A a little far from it. The pf 2 had a push-pull type train with TNP WDM7 11001 having coaches attached on both sides. Pf 1 had a inspection special train with WDG3A 14944 attaching itself to it as we were leaving the station.

Over all, it was a pretty good run with the train sticking to its schedule all the way. I could not measure speeds, and have no guesses on it either.

On friday and saturday i had made a few trips around Trichy by bus and spotted some trains while passing through the R(o/u)Bs. 11181 pulling 2636 on 15th may. 11195 pulling 2636 on 16th may. 36021 doing some shunting jobs.


On the 16th May evening, we were to return by 6108. My brother was also coming with us. We had lots of luggage and hence chose to be at the station early enough to be able to get into the train on time. We reached TPJ station by 21:05 for the 22:20 departing 6108 MAQ-MS express.

2605 arrived on the Pf 1 behind 11195 at 21:15. simaltaneously GOC 14844 came in from MDU side with a freighter and departed in a few minutes. Pf2 had the rake of 0634 special from TPJ to MAS via KRR, ED, JTJ. It had the boards with reach TPJ <-> MAS <-> MAQ. It was shunted in by GOC 36188 and later the ED Shakti 13500 got attached to it. It was scheduled to depart at 22:40. at the pit-lane beyond pf 1A 18869, 11006 and 36021 were all sleeping.

Soon the empty rake of 2605 was shunted out. 6178A from KMU arrived on Pf1 at 21:45. The power was GOC 14641. The loco got detached almost immediately and ran off making way for the rest of the coaches of 6178 to be attached. The earlier practice of 6178A arriving on a different platform and then getting pulled out and pushed into Pf1 did not happen. 11195 which brought in the 2605 got attached to 6178 and the train pulled out at 22:05.

our train 6108 arrived at Pf 1 at 22:15 behind 11258. The same loco reversed and got attached. Our coach S10 was the 5th from the loco, with an SLR and 3 UR coaches behind the loco. Coach was not new (97231) but had been maintained good. However, as it seems like a practice, we had to wait for 6713 to arrive before we could depart. 6713 arrived at 22:45 behind ED 18561 and dead ERS 18555. 0634 departed on time towards KRR. A little before 0634 pulled out, 18869 got energized and moved into the pit-late between Pfs 1 & 2. We departed around 23:00 and were held up at GOC for the 2633 to cross. ED 11105 was doing the honours. As we moved out of GOC, i saw a short passenger train from TJ side waiting to enter the station and proceed towards TPJ. SRGM was reached at 23:30 and I went to sleep after that.

Only spotting that i noted that night was at Sendurai. 6123 Anantapuri went towards TVC behind 14046. I think this was at 00:35 hours.

I woke up after TBM and we reached MS at 0530 into Pf 6. Rocky had been brought into Pf4 by 22666. 2164 to DR was waiting on Pf 7 behind AJJ 22004.

It was a good run and what more would a rail fan want, after 2 full-ALCo hauled journeys. I personally enjoy the sound of ALCos and always loved diesel hauled trains. All thro' the trip, i resisted from trying to be over inquisitive about spotting trains/locos and totally refrained from fishing my camera out, as i was afraid of being caught. Also, thanks to my extra-cautious mom, i could not door plate at all.

We reached home in an autorickshaw and were settling down when all hell broke loose. My brother had missed his mobile phone. And we were sure it was not in the auto or anywhere else. It had to be in his berth. Our coach was locked on all sides by the TTE even before SRGM came and there were no casual travellers at all. hence, we were sure it was not somebody who generally picked it up. we decided to take a chance and my bro and I rushed to the station on my two wheeler.

I parked the vehicle in front of vasanta bhavan, opposite to MS and ran to the Platform, after taking the Platform tickets. It was 6 am. Rakes of 6177/78 and 6107/08 were not there. 2638 had come into Pf4 with GOC WDM2 twins 16875(leading) and 17363. I made a dash to the enquiry desk and the Station Master's office and requested the in-charge to help. The Platform in-charge directed me to go to the Yard at Gopalswamy Nagar(GSN)and contact the yard master.

We rushed to GSN on the two-wheeler again and made a good round of the place to only find locked offices and a couple of buildings with nobody around. An old lady was at a small temple near the yard cleaning the frontage of the temple and another man was found filling water bottles. Taking a chance, i went into the RPF out-post outside GSN and requested the person-on-duty to help me.

The RPF were absolutely cordial and immediately they sent a man with us, looking for the rake of 6107/08 and to check our coach. in a matter of minutes we were in the S 10 coach. And the phone was still lying there on the Upper Berth no.3. All that the RPF personnel wanted was a letter stating that we had travelled by this train with coach and seat number mentioned, stating that we had missed a mobile phone and came looking for it. we thank the RPF staff at GSN who helped us trace it and retrieve it for us. I was expecting the RPF people to ask for some money and also for details of ticket/PNR etc. However, they asked nothing and were totally cordial and immediately helped us get the phone back. As we were driving out of GSN, empty rake of 6127/28 was being pushed into MS. Kudos to the RPF!

The kind of garbage that is found lying on the tracks of GSN was very disturbing. The number of water bottles, abandoned clothes, footwear, food packing materials, tetra packs... Oh my gosh, i felt very bad and was wondering why shouldnt IR provide dustbins in its compartments. Or is it that it is provided and I am not aware of it. I am rather convinced that i should use the dust bins and not litter the coaches.


And what happened to the WDP4 which was supposed to bring 2638 on the 17th morning? what was the link of that day's 2609? did the twins go with 2609 or went back south-wards with some other train?


The electrification of VM-TPJ chord line is done. I dont know if the energising has happened beyound ALU though. The pillars are up, they are wired and even the turn-outs and sidings have been wired fully. All of TPJ station is under wires now. I am planning a trip by 2637/6128 to MDU to attend a cousin's wedding sometime in mid-june and hope the WDP4 link continues till then atleast. If it does, that would be my first taste of travel behind a WDP4.