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

TRIP] 16232 yet again!!
Indian Railways are known for bringing in all people of all caste and creed without discrimination under one roof.. 16232 is a perfect example as the solo connector to the TN Cauvery Delta region from the KA cauvery delta. And being the solo, it is the source for people of all religions to visit their shrines at the TN base at Velankanni, Nagore, Thanjavur & Kumbakonam.. And needless to say, marriage seasons, this train is always full.. And now also, it was indeed full
December 8th.. Being in Accounts...
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Dept, the previous month end work extended beyond its means and meant a last minute despatch from the office directly at 5:15PM. Well was planned for that and 1hr 45 mins is a breather away for any other city but definitely thats risky in Bangalore. 10 mins and no sign of a bus to the Central bus stand, settled for an auto for Rs. 170/- as per meter.. Quite okayish.. Well unconditionally the auto driver took my route to come via Jayanagar and Chamrajpet avoiding the crowded Nimhans and Shantinagar and hence at 5 past 6 was at the station greeted by the SWR King KK on PF-1 as usual showing off stretching beyond the ramp of PF-1
16232 was allotted PF-5 which at that time had the RajyaRani-Chamundi RSA- Its nice to see such a RSA where one RSA seems like a Title for the other RSA train. As usual she was struggling under pressure with the evening office goers occupying the inches of the space inside. I walked down to the refreshment stall on the veg side on Pf-6 and handed him over a Rs.100/- note- Chappati Kurma- curd rice and mineral water bottle and a coffee later, I was handed back Rs.5/-. In meantime, it was time for Chamundi to move on
WAP4 jolted out from somewhere in sidings and went to couple to 12684 Ernakulam Bi-weekly standing on Pf-2. Another WAP4 pulled in from the Mysore end into the Pit lines with a Dead WAP1 of AJJ. WDS6 was on end of Pf and Karnataka rake as usual was visible at the end. But i noticed somthing missing. in the meanwhile at 18:10hrs the 76525 Bangalore Kolar via Chikballapur DMU, having its recent extended run from Channapatna left from Pf-8
At 18:20hrs the missing was fulfilled as the display board changed timings. 12786 to KCG Dep 18:40 and 12684 dep to 18:55. KJM WDM2 pulled in with tthe SCR rake on PF-4 on dot the departure time. Still no sign of 16232. A wDP4 showed up at Mysore end with the Pass from Mysore at 18:25.. So 16232 has been trolled by the CPT pass and the Mysore Pass. The crowd waited for the pass and some jostling pushing later, all passengers were in respective seats on Pf-10
At 18:40hrs the 76552 Kolar-Bangalore DMU Via chikkaballapura pulled in and the crowd on Pf-7 got up to board as its RSA Dharmapuri Pass the previous day (07.12) this train had left behind the 16232 following the late arrival but today 16232 is no where to be seen and hence higher priority for the passenger. The passenger immediately filled up
At 18:45hrs the Erode tiwns showed their light over the corner and literally crawled in inch by inch into Pf-5 taking almost 10 mins for complete progress to halt. Boarded my coach S-8 and berth number 59 the whole coach looking like a remodified coach with full patches and brown linen dotting the seats. Occupied the emergency exit seat No. 63 . Went through the chart at the door but dejectedly it was the previous night 16731 chart from tuticorin
At 19:00hrs, WDP4 entered with the Golgumbaz on Pf-9 and after 10 mins got its departure for progress. In meantime, the 56261 AJJ-SBC Pass pulled into PF-6 and the crowd waiting for the same boarded as it got ready to leave as 16522 Bangarpet Express. Announcement went for 12627 to New Delhi to depart Pf-1 but no signs of us leaving
Time kept ticking. Crowd kept accumulating on Pf-5 as the boards displayed the same as departure Pf for the 16517/23 Kannur-Karwar Link Express via Mysore. People came with expectations and enquiries to my window and went back upset on learning it was a different train.
Time kept ticking. Announcement went at 19:15 announcing the 56513 from Karaikkal coming in on Pf-2. slowly guess in meantime even 12627 would have also started. the rake of the predator Raj was shunted in on Pf-8 in meantime
At 19:45hrs the Erode twins gave a loud honk- Loud enough to be heard 16 coaches behind, as we started pulling out. In the meantime, 16517/23 rake was shunted from the pitline and both the trains had a parallel line till the shunting point, where the KJM alco stopped and hooted for being pulled back into PF-5. 10 mins into the journey, we were at Cantt where crowd awaited for our train + Bangarpet Express. just as we exited Cantt, at 20:00hrs, WAP7 hauled 12609 entered in from the opposite side.
Glided through Bangalore East where we stopped again most likely the 12863 Howrah Express joining the mainline coming from YPR at BYPL outer. After 5 mins halt we proceeded and just at BYPL outer, Erode Twins with 12678 from Ernakulam accelerated past trying to minimize delay. So it was a mere foramilty slowing down at BYPL to cross the loop and by this time my dinner was also complete. Chappati was okayish with kurma actually tasty. But the heat of the Kurma kept chappati going and complete.
We were now on ethe Bangalore ring road having to travel from Eastern Corner of city to Southern Corner past the rising suburbs. A blast past Bellandur Road and we came to a halt at Carmelram at 20:25hrs. Though the Pf is better lit and both Pf-2 and Pf-1 having high rise platforms now, the Pf-2 side of the station still gives a spooky look
We proceed past CRLM and maintaining good speeds with the speed restriction at the 12677 accident site past Anekal Road, we roll into hosur at 21:00hrs where the complete coach gets occupied. As usual 98% occupancy well visible, we leave after a 2 minute halt
The problems majorly faced in any train leaving before 8 was evident here too. Once the clock struck 9 all the passengers will want to get into the berths while it is well ahead of sleep time for majority of us. Railways rule book says MB can be put up between 9PM & 6AM and its generally considered to core. Thankfully Seat no. 71 was a TTE seat and with no passengers there, went and rested myself there leaving everyone else to put up their berths
Devoid of any crossings and through the elephant corridor, this stretch si a treat to watch. Being in one of the end coaches gives complete view of the train and the signal even before the train has cuvred. A green light, approached by a beaming light loco, followed by a train of lights of all the coaches ahead of us was continously repeated as we tackled the HSRA-DPJ 90 km section. with repeated slowdowns and one crossing with a Plasser at Rayakottai, we approach Pf-2 of DPJ at 22:20hrs, the Pf-1 occupied by the sleeping DMU that left before 16232 arrival. After 2 minute halt we left
I was determined to see the Thoppur ghats at night and with no intteruptions and mind fresh from each and every curve of the HSRA-DPJ section, the heart throbbed as we approached Sivadi station the starting point. RPF personnel came and closed all doors and lowered all window glasses and shutters as is their formalities in this section thanks to the 2 brake test halts in middle of nowhere when the train tackles this section. Slowly we chugged downhill having a test halt over the 1st ravine and the 2nd one at the desolate Muttampatti station. post that, it was again a repeat of the long curves as done earlier and at 23:00hrs we crossed thoppur station signalling the arrival of plains. The Shevaroyan Hills, housing the famous Yercaud hill station gave us company as the NH-7 from Varanasi via Bangalore cut over us. The next station, Karuvalli, housing a small temple called Chinna tirupati (dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara) was zipped by. Earlier, the temple was not easy to spot in day time but now thanks to numerous road lights, the temple gopuram was clearly seen.
The next station Semmandapatti halt was not even visible and I decide to retire for the day just as we had a slowdown at Omalur outskirts. Reason being to allow time for 11022 Tirunelveli Dadar Tri-weekly to enter the loop at Omalur following which we honked past waving bye towards Salem and I went to sleep
It was a deep sleep and dont remember waking up except for once over the Kaveri bridge at Erode. So when i got up, the train was approaching a slowdown and time was 5:20AM. Budalur I thought to myself while everyone else packe dup saying it was Thanjavur
got down from the UB and now in the near empty coach, packed my luggage and sat by the window enjoying the winter breeze (Pre-Varda cyclone). After a stop-run halt at Papanasam, we made it at 5:55AM to Kumbakonam and i got down towards the coffee shop for the 1st sip of the day expecting 16183 uzhavan from Chennai to arrive before that. But that wasnt the case was 16232 left meaning it will be minimum 20-25 mins for Uzhavan arrival on single line section, went out of the station
Thanks for patient reading

Trip Report Date 19th March 2014
Creeeech!!!!! We came to a halt in middle of the Ghats- Thoppur ghats that provides for descent from Deccan plateau to Tamilnadu plains- The small hills overshadowed by the bright moon just 2 days after holy with no other lightings gave a complete spooky look of the area- To avoid being distracted by the spooky feeling, my mind went back to what had brought me here
A sudden decision on Tuesday evening to go to Mayiladuthurai at 6PM saw me looking for tickets-90 tickets in tatkal from...
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sbc to mv and 15 from MAD to MV- to save on fare booked from MAD with boarding at SBC
Reached SBC on 19th evening at 6:10PM to find the double headed python not occupied PF-1 yet and AJJ WAM4 leaving with 56508 MKM pass from Pf-2 while KJM WDP-4 stood on Pf-3 with 12786 bound to KCG. KJM WDP-4B awaited with arrived rake of RajyaRani rake while Moula ali twins awaited in pit for Karnataka rake to be shunted. KJM WDM-2 waited on pit with Karnataka Express pulled it out behind the MKM pass
PF-6 display board said 76553 to DPJ while Pf-7 gave a surprise with another DMU- 76552 from KQZ arrived on Pf-7 to leave later as 76519 to MKM. Pf-5 Chamundi left soon and the DPJ DMU sharp at 6:30PM
At 6:40Pm the rake of 16535 golgumbaz Express arrived onto Pf-10 but no announcements made for 16232. At 7PM announcement came for 16232 arrival.
7:10PM- Heard sound of a loco but from opposite side- WDG-4 twins entered Pf-6 with a BCNA rake towards Mysore and at 7:20Pm, Erode WDM-3A slowly entered with 16232 35 mins late. Boarded my coach S-4 with a upper berth 43 with the others being occupied with a family to Velankanni with 2 small kids happily enjoying with continous chatter
At 7:40PM, maintaining the 35 min delay we were given the starter. As we exited, saw KJM WDP-4 on Pf-5 with the 11302 Udyan Express. Just outside SBC, Erode WDM-3A twins awaited with the 12678 Superfast ERS Express on time. At BNC, we were welcomed by the WAP7 hauled 12609 from chennai. We proceeded at good speed past BNCE and slowed down changing tracks at BYPL without waiting for any clearance and blasted off on the single track to Hosur reaching the same at 8:50PM
After Hosur, everyone had plans of settling down while i occupied an empty SLB berth opposite and we crossed DPJ through PF-2 at 22:20hrs PF-3 occupied by the DPJ DMU that had left an hour earlier sleeping well now.
As I came out of these thoughts, I was welcomed by the lights of the plains- We were nearing Omalur, the 1st station of the SR territory and into the electrified territory. We slowly joined the main line from MAS and pulled into PF-1 of SA as a WAM4 welcomed us on Pf-3 with an unknown train at 23:30hrs 10 mins ahead of schedule and I went off to take my berth
"Passengers kind attention please- Train number 16232 bound to Mayiladuthurai is leaving from platf........... we had already moved past the announcer- time was 4:30AM and we were leaving TPJ after the 2nd reversal of our journey and blasting through the fertile delta region of TN
I was awoken by some continous chatter and hurries- time was 5:25AM and train had already stopped at TJ and major passengers who were still asleep collected their belongings and kids leaving my entire bay vacant. The announcement at TJ blared about the TPJ-KIK DMU on Pf-4 and soon we got starter and started while I settled down on LB to watch the sunrise
We just blasted past the stations and after a halt at Papanasam we reached KMU at 6:05AM. Kumbakonam degree coffee stall was busy and thought of having coffee but wasnt sure whether we will be waiting for a crossing- It didnt happen and within a minute we started
We were pulled into Kuttalam 15 mins later and as we didnt get starter expected that 16183 Uzhavan will cross us. GOC loco showed up at the corner and it came over the main line confusing me- it was GOC WDG-3A solo pulling along an empty BCNHL rake at good speed without the guard caboose. We got the starter at 6:25
15 mins later, we were welcomed into Aduthurai by GOc WDM-2 (Was surprised to see wDM-2 with an Express) hauling the 16183. Just as we entered the Express got the starter and proceeded
We didnt get the starter and saw crowd waiting on Pf-1. few minutes later, Erode WDM-2 pulled in with the 56811 empty pass from MV to TPJ with just about 20 % occupancy. at 6:45 we got the starter and proceeded past the tiny Malliyam station to arrive welcomed by another Erode WDM2 waiting with the 56040 KMU-TJ pass extension on PF-3 as we came to halt on Pf-1 at 6:55AM 5 mins ahead of schedule
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