|
After my 40 days of offical work at Trivandrum and very fantastic
railfanning with Binai and Sriram , it was time for me go to my parent
company . As usual it was my 2624 that was supposed to take me to
Chennai.But things went haywire when a BCNA rake derailed near Pudukkad
. All services went upside down and no one knows when the trains come
and go.
I was as usual getting ready for journey on 21st but I never knew how
things were bad and was depending on trainequiry.com which showed 2623
to be 15 mts late. But with my enquiry at SR headquaters I came to know
that things are not fine. And my schoolmate who happened to be the SM of
TVC also told me that 2623 is detained at Wadakkancherry. Finally around
1300 hrs of 21st I got information from Chennai that 2623 left
Wadakkancherry and on its way to TVC as it was rescheduled. Meantime I
thought of catching SRM volvo and blocked the seat also. Meantime I went
to TVC to get the information what is happeneing . Seeing TVC station ,
my mood changed . I decided how many hours I am going to wait , I must
go back in my 2624. No compromise on that. So got some extra hours at
home . It was officially announced that 2624 is rescheduled for 2130 hrs
. But the arrival of 2623 has not yet happened. I reached TVC around
2100 hrs and waited . Meanwhile a call to Binai I came to know that 2623
left QLN at 2230 hrs. And finally at TVC announcement was made that 2624
will leave from PF3.Still no sign of 2623 and many poor passangers were
under the impression that 2624 rake is going to backed up from yard and
were looking to the yard side with hope. Alas around 2310 hrs RPM WAP4
22712 majestically brought in 2623 .
As soon as 2623 arrived the cleaning and water filling process started.
4 official were also present to oversee the whole operation. Hot axles
check was completed in mean time. But no sign of loco. I saw no WAP-4
anywhere near AC tripshed. Then it clicked inside me RPM 22712 is going
to take me to Chennai !!! around 0130 hrs loco was also attached to
formation and at sharp 0200 hrs the starter turned amber and lo it is
started with a huge CBC jerk and crawled up to Pettah to clear the CO of
20 kmph and after that two young LP and ALP of 2624 unleashed hell till
Varkala amd I was able to watch 2624 flying will all proceed aspect till
QLN. Then I hit bed and woke up at 0530 hrs at KTYM. And the railfan
inside me killed my sleep. I knew that these two guys are determined to
push 2624 to the max speed. Crossed intercity at Piravam Road . And
finally at 0625 hrs we entered ERN and by 0640 hrs we left ERN and was
literally flying till IJK. After that slowed down as the accident was
approaching.Finally passed the accident site and crossed Pudukkad too
and we were back in normal form winding through the curves and reached
TCR . Took double breakfast. Then nature was really wonderful as it was
raining . I felt this is one of the rarest moments in my 12 yrs travel
in Chennai Mail.Travelling thru TCR-PGT area in day time. At PGT , Rahul
came to meet me with his nephew who is great railfan.
After PGT I had the visual treat of Walayar which was green even though
the Walayar forest was dry. But we crawled till Irngur via Podanur line.
And I have the biggest surpise . As soon as the loop was cleared in
Irungur , 2624 unleashed all its fury. I placed my camera back in my bag
as I culdnt hold my camera. I just simply stood at door in burning sun
as speed was giving a big thrill. Dust flying apart in stations and LC
we raced to ED to reach ED by 1220 hrs. The crew change took place and
we were ready to leave in 5 mts. Till Sankaridurg we crawled again the
new LP in usaul ED style unleashed the power of 22712 and 22712 was
happy to oblige the LP raced thru the extreme hot to SA .After SA a non
stop run with a slow down at JTJ to 15kmph. Reached KPD by 1615 hrs. And
now the final run started. In 45 minutes we passed AJJ.I always enjoyed
when 2623/2624 passes through AJJ without stopping with all green flags
flying !!! After AJJ , one of the most suprising things of my life
happened. 2624 is have all proceed aspect till Tiruvallur. Guys !!! LP
must have danced in cabin. He blasted through with full horn till TRL.
Poor passangers waiting for EMU had to hide their face to escape from
dust. At TRL we changed to slow line . I laughing thinking the fate of
EMU passanagers on the way. As per my thoughts it happened. Blasted
through till Pattabiram outer and again put in fast line. And from there
also flew till AVD for the stop in AVD. Then came PER and finally we
were received in PF6 at MAS around 1815 hrs.
That was
one my best journeys in 2624 even though 11 hrs late and a journey I
will always remember !!!
Back to
Trip Reports |
