Getting approved paid leaves were a real headache at office, and the fact that I was entitled only for two of them (paid leaves) worried me more! I, fortunately, had a good number of “compensatory” holidays at my disposal, and got the Project Manager's stamp of approval on them! I had to work half-day on the day of my travel, and was in office till about 1100. I then rushed out of office, and hit the highway on my Qualis. Traffic was unusually high today and that worried me to no end! I managed to reach home by around 1130. Rushed off to change my clothes, and then headed straight to pack my bags. Me and my mom left our home at around 1145, and rushed off towards the rickshaw stand. We reached there at around 1150, and got into a rickshaw quickly. We reached the station at around 1200, with about 2 minutes to spare for the EMU to Panvel! I literally ran to the ticket counter. I had an ATVM Smart card with me, and used that to print out tickets from the ATVM at the station. We then rushed off to the platform, reaching there exactly at 1202! The EMU was running late!!! The train came in only at 1204! We got in comfortably and even got seats to sit down.

We reached Panvel at around 1225 or so. There weren't any trains at the station, and the station yard appeared very empty unusually! We walked over to the main line platform, and checked for any available books at the book stall. I then left my mom to guard our baggage, and headed off to check the coach position and the reservation charts. We had some light snack from the eatery at the station, and stocked up water for the journey ahead. In the meantime, two container trains – 1 from Vasai side, and one from JNPT – pulled in. The arrival of my train was announced, and she was to come in on Platform 3. We moved over to Platform 3. Just as we reached there, the arrival of the Ratnagiri-Dadar Passenger too was made. I walked over towards the Roha end of the station, and had to walk towards the Level cross since the container trains which arrived earlier were blocking my view! The Passenger train came in at 1248 with WDG3A #14754 of Kalyan doing the honors.

After clicking a couple of pics of the passenger, and WAG7 #27465 of Tuglakabad standing there with a Container train, and then headed back to the platform. A while later, I saw a train entering into the platform, and I quickly recognized that it was my train! This was perhaps for the first time, a train arrived Panvel much before the announcers could warn passengers! I and my mom walked forward briskly to the position where our coach would come. I checked out the loco, and it turned out to be WDM3D #11149 of Erode working Short-Hood Forward. Just as my train slowed down to stop, I saw another train pulling into the station. That was WDM3A #18700 of Ernakulam with the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express! Surprisingly, both the trains were more or less on time! My coach was B3 (WGACCN 06109 built by RCF in June-2006). The coach was based at Ernakulam Coaching yard, while the train was based at Trivandrum! My train – 6345 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Trivandrum Netravati Express – pulled out after refueling at around 1318 – delayed by around 23 minutes.

We had a smooth run upto Apte, where we had to slow down for a crossing. A freighter was occupying the main line, while we were routed through the loop line. Pune WDG3A #13040 was heading the BCNA rake. The run through the station was painfully slow, and the points seemed to be fit only for 15kmph! The 3D struggled to pick up speed with the 21 coach load after getting back on the main line. We overtook a BCNA rake worked by WDG3A #14595 of Kalyan at a very impressive speed at Pen. The good speed run did not last long, and we were given a red at Kasu. The loop layout of stations on this line is pretty unique. Almost all stations between Panvel and Roha (barring Rasayani, Hamarpur and Nidi) were crossing stations. Each of these stations has the same layout (Except Pen) which consists of a Main line which runs through, and two loop lines. The loop lines can be accessed by trains from only one side. The train can enter only the loop to the left of its direction of travel. Due to this layout, my train had to stop on the main line itself since another train (a freighter) was occupying the other loop. The crossing train thus had to crawl through the loop line!

The train that crossed us here was our pairing train – the LTT bound Netravati Express. Erode WDM3D #11184 did the honors of the train. The train on the other loop was a long VPU rake headed by WDG3A #13052 of Pune. It was a peaceful run afterwards. The speed never went above 90kmph. We reached ROHA at 1456, delayed by 14 minutes. Pune twins WDM2 #17919 and #16750 working a Mumbai bound Freight were occupying the yard line. The station was silent, and this train was the only train at that time. We left Roha at 1500, now with a delay of 15 minutes. We made a brief halt at Kolad to pick up caution orders, and we continued our rush ahead. It was a good run upto Karanjadi. My train stopped on the Main line of Karanjadi at 1554. I was at the door to capture the crossing. The Assistant pilot got down from the loco and headed to the water tap on the platform to stock up water for him and the pilot. A huge crowd got down from the general coaches too to get water. There were a good number of passengers waiting on the platform for their only link to get to Mumbai – the ever trusty KR6 Sawantwadi-Diva Passenger.

Just while glancing through, I noticed that the starter on the loop line was at Amber! I could hear a drone a while later! I was sure of what was coming in! That was the Nizamuddin bound Shatabdi Express!!! WDP3A #15524 of Golden Rock was in charge. The train crawled through the loop line and disappeared from the scene in a couple of minutes. The starter for my train was still red! A while later, the public announcement system of the station came alive and announced the arrival of the Diva Passenger. The passenger came in at 1619 with WDM2 #16857 of Ernakulam doing the honors. My train finally pulled out of the station at 1623 after a long 29 minute long halt. My train could hardly pick speed, and we got another red! This time at Anjani home! The halt was very brief, and lasted hardly a couple of seconds. We then slowly crawled towards the station. We crawled on to the main line itself. This was for crossing the Mumbai bound Mandovi Express. Mandovi was already on the loop line – WDP4 #20033 of Krishnarajapuram did the honors of working the 23 coach train.

There wasn't much time for my train to pick speed, and by the time the train could manage decent speeds, we had already crossed Chiplun outer, and we headed towards the “amber-faced” Chiplun home signal. WE slowed down towards Platform 2. Platform 1 was occupied by the Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express - WDM3A #18740 of Vatva did the honors. We reached Chiplun at 1718 – late by around 33 minutes. All the coaches of my train were watered here, while passengers too were busy munching down Vada-Pavs and Samosas from the stalls on the Platform! Most stations in Maharashtra (baring ones on the Mumbai Suburban Network) serve good Tea – and many of them serve ginger flavored tea! My train pulled out at 1733, now with a delay of 38 minutes. The run was awesome after Chiplun. The CR pilots working my train expressed their desire to pull into Ratnagiri with the least delay, and ensure that my train maintained its MPS at most stretches! We slowed down at Ukshi to cross a twin WDG4 headed freight before hitting the MPS once again. Our next slowdown was straight away while entering the loop line at Ratnagiri. We made it there by 1854 – just 9 minutes late!

The crew changed here, and new guys from KR took charge. The halt was a minute longer than the scheduled 5 minutes, and we left only at 1900 – now delayed by 10 minutes. It got darker out side, and I decided to stay inside the coach itself. I didn't notice any happenings outside. Dinner was served at around 2000. It was normal fare, and like ever, the Pantry guys of Netravati Express decided to skip serving water, and chose to serve half-cooked Chapattis instead! We reached Kudal at 2103, and left at 2105. We were now delayed by 19 minutes. Our next halt was at Thivim (2147/2149), then Karmali. We crossed the Matsyagandha Express here. We left at 2209, late by around 13 minutes. I headed off to sleep after Karmali. It was more of a pleasant sleep and the air conditioners unusually were working well, and kept every one in the coach cool through the night!

I sleep very less while traveling in trains, and like every time, this time too I woke up pretty early. I was but too lethargic to get down from my berth, and remained on the Side upper berth for some more time. I finally got down some time after 0600. My train pulled into Kanhangad station at 0623 – delayed by 35 minutes. We left in a couple of minutes. We crossed the Charvattur-Mangalore passenger a while later – a Golden Rock WDM2 was in charge. We reached Charvattur at 0741, and left in a minute. I was at the door for most of the time. We reached Payyanur at 0656 late by 23 minutes. We left in a couple of minutes. We crossed the Chennai-Mangalore Express a while later. An Erode WDM2 (I think it was 17674, but not very sure of the number) did the honors. We reached Kannapuram at 0715. The scheduled halt at this station is only 2 minutes, but there were signs of movement even after two minutes! I saw the pilots walk on towards the station master's office! The starter on the Down line went green. A couple of minutes later, WDM2 #16874 of Ernakulam rushed through on the Down line with the Mangalore bound Maveli Express.

WE left Kannapuram at 0727, now with a delay of 42 minutes. The train then made the customary slow down at Pappinisseri, and stopped at Pappinisseri Advanced starter, which also acts as the Home signal for Valapattanam. I could already see another train standing at Valapattanam. The Valapattanam-Kannur section is still single, and is a token territory. We had to stop at the home signal for a while to let the other train run across. That was the Mangalore bound Malabar Express – Golden Rock WDM2 #16881 was in charge. We crossed over as soon as Malabar left the place, and we picked up the token for our run ahead to Kannur. We finally pulled into Kannur at 0755 – late by a whole 50 minutes! We were on Platform 3. Platform 2 was occupied by the Kannur-Mangalore Passenger with WDM2 #16859 of Ernakulam doing the honors. Platform 1 was vacant, so was Platform 1A. The yard lines had only one single light loco – WDM2 #17677 of Tondiarpet standing. We left Kannur at 0801 – late by 51 minutes.

We slowed down at the home signal of Kannur south, and then picked speed. An LPG tanker rake hauled by WDM2 #18597 of Tondiarpet occupied the Down Main line. We crossed the Trivandrum-Mangalore Express after Kannur South. The loco in charge was WDM3D #11186 of Erode. We reached Thalassery at 0821, and left at 0823. We crossed the Kozhikode – Kannur Passenger a while later – WDM2 #17474 of Ernakulam was in charge. We made another stop at Vadakara (scheduled halt), and we left at 0850 – late by 50 minutes. We crossed the Mangalore mail near Payyoli – WDM3D #11106 of Erode did the honors. The train kept a real good pace all the way. We crossed the Yeshwantpur – Kannur Express near Quilandi at a real good speed – WDM3A #18824 of Krishnarajapuram did the honors. We reached Kozhikode at 0935. The Thrissur-Kannur Passenger was on Platform 1 – a Golden Rock WDM2 did the honors. We had a long-ish halt at Kozhikode. I was busy listening to FM radio all the time. We left Kozhikode at 0942 – delayed by 42 minutes.

It was an eventless run here on. We reached Parapanangadi at 1007, and left at 1009. We crossed the Ernakulam-Kannur Intercity some time after Tanur. Ernakulam WDM2 #18483 did the honors of the intercity Express. We reached Tirur at 1024 – late by 24 minutes. Tirur is one station which contributes a good amount of cargo carried by the train in its SLRs. Due to the cargo loading; this train halts at this small station for 5 minutes. There was a good amount of cargo to be unloaded even today. While unloading was in progress, Erode WDM3D #11105 rolled past with an LPG tanker in tow. Our next halt was at Kuttipuram. The halt lasted 4 minutes, and we left at 1053 – the delay was 28 minutes now! The run from Kuttipuram to Shoranur is always done in a relaxed manner. The train slowed down at Pallipuram home, and then crossed over to the down line – The Pallipuram-Shoranur section is single lined, and doubling is in progress. The run from Pallipuram to Shoranur was slow. We reached Shoranur at 1134 – early by a minute!!!

We were on Platform 5. Platform 4 was occupied by the rake of the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger – WAP4 #22223 of Erode had brought the train in and the loco was now dozing off. Platform 6 was occupied by the Coimbatore-Mangalore Fast Passenger – WDM2 #16884 of Ernakulam did the honors. The passenger left as soon as my train stopped. The empty rake of the Shoranur passenger was shunted out by WAP4 #22550 of Erode. The rake was shunted to Platform 3 from where it was to depart as the Nilambur passenger. We left Shoranur at 1145 – late by 5 minutes. The train slowly negotiated points and entered the line towards Thrissur. We crossed the Bharathapuzha and entered slowly crossed over to the UP line. We had to make a brief halt at Vallathol Nagar to pick up caution orders. The run after this station was painfully slow, and the train made frequent halts and slowdowns due to some engineering works. WE crossed the Trivandrum-Korba Express as we pulled out of Vallathol Nagar – WAP4 #22295 of Erode did the honors. It was an eventless run afterwards. We finally pulled into Thrissur at 1230 – delayed by 15 minutes. My brother was at the station to pick us, and we then drove to our home at Kodungallur – some 30 kms from the station!

Statistics:

	Scheduled	Actual
Running Time	23:20	23:48
Average Speed (kmph)	50.23	49.25
Least Avg Speed (kmph)	21.93	30.43
Highest Avg Speed (kmph)	76.29	76.29
Average Delay	N/A	0:28
Lowest Delay		0:05
Highest Delay		0:51

 

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