Where to Start…..A Much awaited Trip? …. No… A Trip to experience the Modern flange of Indian Railways?? .. No Wait... Let it be Simple yet Classy … A TRIP ONBOARD THE FASTEST TRAINS OF INDIA - THE VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS

It has been many long years since I had penned down a Trip Report. Not because I didn’t want to but all the trips have been monotonous enough except for my April 2019 Trip onboard the then newbie Rajdhani of Indian Railways viz 22221...
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Mumbai CSMT- Hazrat Nizamuddin Push Pull Rajdhani Express. The Vande Bharat Express promised me another exciting but varied journey with lots to look forward to.

So my Trip started to take shape when I had to go to Kodaikanal for some urgent work. I flew to Madurai from Mumbai by an Indigo flight. After I had finished my work there, it was time to look out for options to book my tickets for journey back home in Mumbai. A random search for a Train from Madurai to Mumbai showed big Waitlists with lowest confirmation probabilities and a rough calculation with the available quotas gave me a clue to drop the plan. The flights from Madurai to Mumbai wouldn’t help me either. Seats in Convenient flights were all gone and all was available was in some late evening flight with a costly seat.

A quick check for a flight from Namma Bengaluru to Mumbai gave me the respite and it was then things started falling in place. I knew if it was Bengaluru then I had a chance to travel in a beastie that I was looking forward too viz the newbie Vande Bharat Express which will not only help me reach Bengaluru but also make my long awaited dream to try this Vande Bharat Express to materialize. Now I was quizzing myself with lots of unanswered questions in mind. How to reach Chennai Central from Kodaikanal? Any Train that could drop me off atleast 1 hour prior to departure of Vande Bharat Express? Will I get a confirmed Ticket?

For now I will stop here and will soon be back.

Click Here to read Part 2 of the Trip Diary

Click Here to read Part 3 of the Trip Diary

Click Here to read Part 4 of the Trip Diary

PART - 2 : Priority in the home division.
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For those who have not read part - 1 : /blog/post/5903996
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Amidst that huge crowd, somehow I managed to come to platform -...
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1, which was comparatively very much free amidst the bustling crowds at platform 2 and 4 respectively. Meanwhile saw a Gooty based EMD and Guntakal based diamond twins waiting at the yard. Wondering which among the both will be powering my train, went towards the IRCTC canteen for breakfast, had 4 idlis for rs. 70, which is kind of overpriced, given the size of idlis, but okay to sate the hunger at that instance.
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After breakfast, headed towards the katpadi end of platform - 1. Meanwhile, noticed that three DEMU coaches were attached to the end of the express bound to Puri, awaiting it's departure shortly, wondering where would that be detached. Took some rest sitting there, some track works were going on at the end of platform - 1. Ten minutes after puri express was given starter, an express (passenger) from Villupuram made its entry with Erode based WAP - 1. Made order for my lunch from zomato and waited for some half an hour, got a call to come and recieve order outside and recieved the same, came and saw the display panel which displayed the regular weekly special which runs to akola is supposed to depart from platform - 5 on its scheduled time as there was 30 more minutes to depart.
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Walked towards platform 5, was eager and anxious at the same time, wondering which one among the two mentioned previously would be leading my train. Saw from some distance, orange diamond twin WDM - 3D, 11122 + 11169T, was chugging slowly towards platform - 5, to get attached to my train, witnessed that attachment process, was enjoying the beauty of Guntakal twin ALCo for a moment. Now was wondering where would me my coach. As side lower was allotted after charting at S1, wished that S1 was at front half of the train so that I can enjoy the honking, chugging and speeding train audio-visually. Was happy enough to note that my coach was 7th. Prayed before entering the coach, to ensure my safe arrival at the next transit point and the destination. Entered the coach, to realise that my berth was track sided. Though majority of the route is a single line till date, yes it is good. Still 20 more minutes was there. So, severed my luggage, went and refreshed myself, and had lunch within my train was supposed to depart. Immediately after I complete my lunch and threw my waste, the diamond twins giving a loud honk, indicating departure...
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Our train departed bang on time, and after clearing the loop lines, ALCo started chugging it's heart out through the suburbs of Tirupati. Was able to see the sapthagiri from the window of my train, made prayers for success of my exam and this trip. It was a sunny weather, with some heat, the air was blazing through the window as our train picked up speed, which was quite pleasant, and seeing the seven hills, and enjoying the musical sound of ALCo chugging, except for the sense of tongue and olfaction, it was a treat.
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Our train continued to maintain the top speed of the section as the intercity from coimbatore, which is supposed to arrive it's destination in short while, was looped at chandragiri, and some WAP - 4 was leading that train. Pakala arrived in no time, and I started experiencing some effects of post meal (was slightly dozing off). Our train departed pakala on time, i was eager to see that section after it got electrified. Picked up top speed of the section after some time. Terrain started changing after our train crossed damalacheruvu, witnessed the changing gradients, ups and downs the train went. Our train arrived pileru at 10 to 2pm. was waiting more than 5 minutes. Believed that it should be crossing of some train. after 10 minutes of wait, I witnessed a chocolate beast from vijayawada, pulling a puny rake of delayed Guntakal - tirupati passenger, which was delayed around an hour. That train had good crowd.
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This was the first instance that I am witnessing a train hauled by an electric loco, BZA WAG - 5, hauling a train in this section. After our train departed pileru, started studying for exam for some time, meanwhile enjoying the high speed action of my train, which was hauled with diesel based power. Madanapalle road came in no time and our train departed the same after a brief halt. Remembered how pole free it was before few years and now, with poles, it was adding further beauty to this station. I started dozing off, slept for some time, woke up some 10 minutes later, anticipating one another scheduled crossing. Woke up before mulakala cheruvu.
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I was continuously checking the running position of Nagercoil express, and NTES showed that it departed Kadiri. Within some moments, when my train kept speeding up, noticed some WAP - 7 hauled train being looped. Though expected the reverse to happen, it was Kalyan based one, looped with the four weekly train to nagercoil from Mumbai, which is supposed to undergo reversal after 2 hours of its run. Arrived kadiri with a delay of nearly 40 minutes. Again dozed off with the revision video in my phone, woke up to find that my train was flying at MPS and 10 more kilometres to arrive Dharmavaram. The speed it maintained among that plateau terrain, and the weather, was a sight to behold till date. The scenes of town arrived at no time, indicating that we were nearing dharmavaram. We arrived on time at platform - 4.
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One thing I would definitely suggest as a common traveller, one must definitely attempt a day time travel in the section of pakala - dharmavaram, which will definitely provide you with lots of visual treats, especially in winter, the climate also will be pleasant. Noticed the LHB rake of Dharmavaram - Vijayawada (now extended to machilipatnam) via prodattur was sleeping at platform - 2 with some Lallaguda based WAP - 7.
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As our train was looping out of dharmavaram, clearing more than 2 loops to enter the double line section of dharmavaram - kalluru, a WAG 9 based freight was about to enter dharmavaram. As we clear the loop, our train started picking up some speed and that was one among the four double line section this train would witness. Our train arrived at Ananthapuram at around 30 mts after departure and a good no of boardings here. After halting for a moment, our train chugged our of anantapuram. Surprised to found that the section of dharmavaram to kalluru being fully doubled, against the single line it used to be at Ananthapuram before few years. travelled in this section after a long while.
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As dusk was slowly settling up, our train was also picking up good speed, realising that could not peep much outside the window thereafter, took the notes and started studying for exam. After some 50 minutes, noticed a line branching out at the right side of my train, and making some elevation, after negotiating a curve. And those elevated track was surrounded with platforms with station boards mentioning "gooty fort", byepass station for gooty from Ananthapuram side to tadipatri side. And a WAG - 9 twin hauled BOXN rake was sleeping. We simultaneously negotiate a huge C - shaped curve and arrive gooty at 25 past 6. Halted for less than a minute and our train made a loud honk and flashing green torch, indicating the departure. Switched tracks, as we cross the den of EMDs and WAG - 9, the gooty diesel loco shed, then we started accelerating towards dhone, again entering the single line.
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I was very much surprised to find that gooty - dharmavaram part was completely doubled, and was happy. Since I was traveling after a long while, was not aware of the conditions. Meanwhile, i started looking at IRCTC to check ticket availability for my return journey, and trains having huge waitlist even in the mid of the week, realised that the only remaining option was premium tatkal. Sun started setting as we again start to switch tracks, indicating the arrival of pendekallu. We enter the second double line section out of four, which is very brief one, only untill dhone junction. We immediately start to accelerate once we enter the mainline towards dhone, and hit MPS in no time. Already it was dark outside, and clock was ticking 7 pm, and started feeling hungry already, wondering where to avail the dinner, and thought to buy at dhone, was tracking with WIMT, the speed and position of our train. After a continuous run at maximum speed after pendekallu for 25 minutes, we make an arrival at platform - 1 of Dhone junction, at 7.25 pm, against its scheduled arrival of 8.05pm, arriving 40 minutes early. Two frieghts were sleeping adjacent to each other and as we arrive, announcement was made for howrah bound amaravathi express to arrive shortly at platform 2.
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Given that there is less crossings, it got excellent priority at home division to arrive 40 minutes early at division handover point. in part - 3, let's see if i arrive my next transit point on time. Till then, ciao...
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Thanks for patiently reading, apologies for writing in a lengthier way, since this is one such trip close to my heart..
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Part - 3 : /blog/post/5961290

This is a short write-up on my thoughts and experience with Indian Railways Complaint Portal - The RailMadad. I hope you like it.

I've always had this question whenever I open Railmadad:
Should you raise complaints on Railmadad? Is it just a waste of time?
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Whenever I see something lacking on Indian Railways, I raise a complaint with Railmadad. These complaints have ranged from the coach attendants not being in uniform to the Indian Flags on the locomotives not being proper.

I would like to highlight one incident that answered the above question. At the end of the year 2022, I had gone to receive my relatives at Thane Railway Station who were onboard the 16340/Nagercoil - Mumbai CSMT Express (Via Katpadi) (PT). Previously, I had been to Thane railway station multiple times to receive my relatives and it was a practice that they never made announcements of any UP outstation trains coming into Thane and going towards CSMT. You always had to do the guesswork and with the volume of suburban traffic at Thane, the trains used to arrive at Platform 6 or Platform 8.

This time again I thought I should raise a complaint as this is the basic right of passengers to know the arrival details. I did not have any hopes as I received a call from the control room and they informed me that they would take action against the responsible executive if found guilty and impose a fine on them. The usual drafted response was added to the complaint and it was closed. As usual, I gave a 1-star response as I was almost sure that no action was going to be taken.

On 11th July 2023, I had to go to Thane Station to see off one of my relatives. As usual, I arrived at the station early and was surprised to hear the announcement that 12052/Madgaon - Mumbai CSMT Jan Shatabdi Express was arriving on Platform no 8. I then thought as this is a premium train, they might have announced it as an exception. After some time, I heard the announcement for 12106/Vidarbha SF Express (PT) on Platform no 5.

I smiled to myself and thought there would have been some contribution from my side for this welcome change and got the answer to the above question Should we raise complaints on Railmadad?

After seeing off my relatives, I went to PF 4 to board the 2nd last local for the day. I saw an Empty Rake crawling into PF 4 without an announcement. Many passengers with luggage were getting into the local not knowing that it will go to the siding. I then had to ask them to get off and you know what I did next.

Logged on to RailMadad and added a new complaint!!!

The next day, I received a call from the control room and they took all the details. The executive informed me that they had already imposed multiple fines on the announcement teams at Thane in the past and would do at this instance too if found guilty.

I smiled and disconnected the call.

Vivek

P.S.: Next time you are at Thane Railway Station, check if announcements are made for Outstation Trains going in the UP Direction. If not then you know what to do.

Going home is always an emotion, doesn't matter where you are travelling from and how you are travelling. This feeling is always a good one.

In my earlier travelogue (20889 HWH-TPTY Hms), I returned Bangalore in June. Post that been busy with work and what not. I didn't had any plans
to go home during Durga Puja and Diwali but decided to come...
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back home in December for a month or so. The initial plan was to
ride from Bangalore all the way to Kolkata on my bike but I wasn't able to set up the bike with necessary luggage accessories in due time
due to delays in supply from vendors. The weather becomes absolutely blissful from November end all the way till March or so which is apt for
long rides. I decided to take a train. Checked tickets, there weren't much available tickets for November
but I got confirmed tickets from 30th Nov onwards. So on 2nd week of October, I booked a 3A ticket in 12246 Duronto, DOJ: 1/12/22.

Initial IRI post: (/blog/post/5560137)


I have been constantly getting notifications from Railways regarding change in the Source of the train and I was well aware.
Most of the HWH bound and East/NE bound trains have been shifted to the new terminal which is SMVT (Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal), situated at Byapannahalli.

It's a much hyped station, inaugurated with fanfare, as I have seen in media or in newspaper & online. I have been busy with work throughout November as we were approaching
Year end, client work etc were on full swing. Since I was to start journey on a weekday , got my leave approval as working from train isn't a viable option.

Packing was complete on 30th Night after work. Pre-booked an Ola cab at night for next day morning at 9:30 AM. Even though the train leaves at 11:20 AM, recent Ola and Uber cancellations have been very troublesome for people relying on them. Hence decided not to do last minute booking.

Till now, this was just the preface and now the travelogue starts.

Day I, DOJ: 1/12/22, CC- as mentioned in IRI


I got my cab sharp at 9:30 am. Stowed away my trolley in the boot, hopped onto the rear seat and off we go. The arrival time was showing as 10:40AM due to morning traffic but it wasn't an issue as I had enough buffer time. I already had my breakfast before starting so now worries on that side though. While travelling to the station I just tried recalling when was the last time I had travelled in Duronto, couldn't remember though. Been a long time. Must be around 2016-2017.

Now that it's a full LHB, mazaa to aayega hi !!

Just as we entered the approach road towards the station after a sliding down a flyover, got a glimpse of a WAP7, leaving with some train. It was the 12864 HWH SF Exp.
Reached the station at 10:50PM. The approach roads were pretty narrow and through congested areas but the station complex itself is a big one. A new sort of design replicating the KIA. Drop and pick up bays, sensor based entry & exit doors, high ceilings, intuitive display boards, concourse, food court, airport styled escalators to reach the upper floor.

PF 1 is 1st platform that can be entered at the same level. From 2nd to 7th PF, one should take the escalator to 2nd floor and then move out through the overhead walkaways. Pretty impressive. Ticket vending machines were there and no one was seemed interested in using it. Overall the station was neat and clean. PF's were spanking clean.

Could see a reflection ya !!

The display boards were showing the list of trains currently arriving or departing. 22888,12864,12246 (wham!! 3 trains for same destination in a space of 1hr), 12510 was scheduled to arrive.

12246 was slotted at PF1 so no escalators to try this time. Again sensor based doors to enter or exit the PF1. I was in B4,38 so had to move front. Display boards were displaying to Coach numbers.

This time I had just a backpack and mid sized trolley. Not a long stay in home. I will be back on 19th Jan (12863: HWH SMVT SF)

Hopped onto my coach, I didn't see anyone in my coupe but couple of bags lying under-seat. I had space to slid my trolley underneath and chained it. I kept the backpack with me and got down from the train. I was accompanied by a friend so we were just moving around the PF. I noticed few RPF's in the PF strolling but nonetheless decided to click some pics. I did go at the front to check the powerhouse powering us through to Howrah, (TATA P7-30699) but didn't take pic.

Looking at the display boards I understood that we will at least overtake either the 22888 or 12864 or both en-route, but I wasn't sure where it will be.

We came towards our coach and right at 11:15 the signal turned yellow and in few mins, it turned green. The LP/ALP waved the flag and it was loud honk of the P7 and we start. Bade goodbye to my friend whom I would meet in Jan again once I am back. Came back to my coupe, found a couple of college students sitting. Both of them were heading to BBS. The side lower was occupied by RAC passengers. Yes, that day almost all the Side lowers
in 3A's were having RAC's as informed by TTE later (more on that in a bit).

Our coupe had only 3 pax including me, so we were happy that till Renigunta (RU) we can sit and have lunch. We were slowly crossing the outskirts of Byapannahalli, Chikka Banaswadi & joining the main line at Byapannahalli station and crawling towards KJM. We were slowed down to a tortoise pace while skipping KJM, for a moment it looked like we might even stop there and passengers would board.

There were lot of passengers ready with their luggage. I wasn't sure whether after the SMVT rescheduling, Duronto was given a halt at KJM or not. But we somehow push through and once you see the Old Madras bridge, it's
the end of the PF. We had skipped KJM and then the TATA P7 was in Race mode. Started picking up speed very quickly and thundering past the KJM yard and WFD, Hoodi stations.

We were maintaining speeds of around 108-111kph. The TTE came in to check the tickets. We were informed that the remaining passengers in our coupe would board from RU all the way to BBS. The RAC passengers were begging him to give them a seat but he informed only couple of seats will be empty from BZA till HWH. And those were already allotted based on the RAC status. Rest of the Side lowers are mostly occupied by RAC passengers. Only few handful passengers had confirmed Side lowers that day. The only seat available is in H1 (1st class)if someone wants to pay the difference in the amount and avail the seat, they are free to do. As per what I saw, no one was interested in paying the difference amount and move to H1 as the RAC passengers somehow were travelling together. I mean most of them had 2 tickets and they were RAC's themselves. Crazy thing.

I didn't know if any passenger would have opted to move to H1. Once the TTE left, the Pantry guy came and handed over the water bottles and asked for Veg or Non Veg food options. I opted for Veg lunch and rest of the meals as Non-Veg.

From 30th Nov to 3rd Dec, there was rain alert in TN and Kerala and in some parts of KA as well. This was resulting in cloudy and foggy conditions outside. We were slowing down intermittently and I noticed lot of track works going on.

Few unscheduled halts were also made.

Good time to tell about the coach condition, I didn't look at the manufacturing year but there were individual charging outlets, no reading lamps, mirror, water bottle holders missing in few berths and present in few (very strange).
Same goes for Side lower and Upper. One thing I didn't like was the headroom on the upper berth. It's quite cramped up there specially in the regular upper berths.

Washrooms were clean and tidy but it all depends on people using it. The OBHS staffs were present and were cleaning the coach interiors in between. They kept doing their work every 1-1.5 hours interval till the next day when we were 1hour before HWH.

I came outside and enjoyed door plating for sometime, I could see distant hilltops covered in mist and fog and here we were snaking through the plains. It started to drizzle a bit and it resulted in my phone getting drenched. Came back inside, wiped out the water droplets, all good.

We were nearing Kuppam when the Pantry staff started handing out the lunch trays. Since I took Veg meal, it had plain rice, dal, paneer gravy, 2 rotis, curd, a pickle sachet, a mango drink (Frooti sort of) and later ice-cream was provided.

The 2 guys in my coupe started eating and I decided to wait till they finish so that I can use the tray table. We were nearing JTJ around 1:20pm. Track works were ongoing till JTJ and were done under the jurisdiction of SR. Possibly to facilitate the high speed runs. Few days back I read somewhere that there would be increase in speed limits in few sections. One of them was AJJ-JTJ and JTJ-SBC/YPR/MYS.

As we entered JTJ slowly, crossed the Patna Ernakulam Exp with ED P7. We made an unscheduled at JTJ for about 10mins. As we started to leave, our counterpart 12245 came in briskly with a SRC P7 and mostly possibly would have skipped JTJ.

The tray table was cleared out in another 10mins and I decided to complete my lunch. Tasted very mediocre to be honest. Soup has been stopped long back.

We crossed Vaniyambadi around 1:50PM. After my lunch, I wasn't too interested in catching sleep & came out again to stand at the door and enjoy the run. I was standing on the other side now & by the time I realised that we are arriving Katpadi, I was too slow to react start the recording but nonetheless took the video.

We literally flew past KPD in no time around 2:45PM and continued onwards. We dashed past the VIT campus. Too much of sideways swaying was a cause of concern because of the speed at the Duronto was running.
I was talking with the Coach attendant who seemed to be a very jolly guy and was quite amazed at the questions I was asking him about the journey or some interesting instances he may have come along or general maintenance of the coaches etc.
It all began when I asked him if blankets will be given. He told he will give in evening but they will need to take it back by noon next day as few passengers have been stealing the handtowels or bedsheets thinking it's a gift from Railways. Such a shameful mindset to be honest. The guys who work as attendants have to compensate the loss from their daily earnings.


Dispatching all stations with aplomb, we reached Melpakkam Cabin and switched over to the Ajj north cabin towards RU.

We crawled till Tiruttani where we stopped for few secs. Spotted a blue TNP WDG3A. Time: 3:55PM

No twin-tone horn from the P7, all along it had a uniform tone. Just like EMU's

As we started again from Tiruttani, we were given the evening snacks tray (puffrice mixture packet, a greasy samosa, soanpapdi, greenpea mixture and tea kit). I was standing at the door and in coach B5 the pantry staff was setting up the tray, where I clicked a pic of the tray, without even disturbing him in his work. He sensed someone was there behind and turned around to see me looking at my phone sensing I would have clicked pics. He asked me what am I doing. I told I just clicked a pic of tray having the snacks arranged. He was like, this is wrong, you shouldn't have done this. Then I asked anyway people would have taken pic of the tray after you hand it over to the passengers. And you have kept the trays nicely cleaned, everything is kept symmetrical, nothing wrong. But still he murmured something and went away with a set of trays. It kept me bothering for sometime but then later I brushed it aside.

I wasn't in the mood to have the snacks as I don't eat samosa. Returned it to the pantry guy, the rest of the items were all packed, so kept them in my bag. I used the tea kit but nothing special to mention about. We reached RU at 4:50pm.

Got down, took a short stroll, got myself a cup of coffee (tasted better). Washrooms were cleaned. lots of passengers boarding the train at RU, I guess most of them were students from nearby colleges in TPTY and RU. Right at 5:05PM, our loco's honk was audible and the signal was green. We were on a roll again and slowly we negotiated the outer and curved towards Gudur to join the HWH-MAS-HWH main line.

Coach was completely packed up, all the seats were taken. I came back to my coupe and found another 3 students boarded from RU and all of them were bound for BBS and one for Patna (via HWH). They were given the evening snacks and their food orders were taken.

We were nearing Gudur and somewhere it clicked that we might be overtaking either 12864 or 22888 at Gudur. By the time I came out, on the adjacent PF I saw a train was stationery. I did already started the recording of the overtake and then I realised it was the 12864 standing on the other side.

We were cruising post GDR and only before Nellore south, we were slowed down but in motion. The slow pace resulted us crossing Nellore 10mins behind the actual time and we kept crawling till Padugupadu. Post crossing Padugupadu, we started to pickup the speed and within minutes we were doing 100KPH.

Swept past Kavali, swept past Ongole around 8:15pm and we crossed 12863 as we charged out of OGL.

The pantry guy was seen rushing with the trays so that gave us the indication, food is on the way. I had opted for Non Veg meal (plain rice, dal, chicken curry, 2 rotis, curd, a pickle sachet)and later ice-cream. Being seated inside the train without much mobility was taking a toll on probably everyone after dinner. We did overtook the 22888 before Krishna Canal as we headed towards BZA ahead of time. Without getting too slow we passed the Krishna bridge and were soon bypassing the ELS yard before the station. We were slotted to arrive at PF7 at BZA

We arrived at 10pm (10 mins before time). Sigh of relief !!!

Most of the passengers for VZM, BBS, HWH got down to stretch themselves and get a little bit of walk. I was one of them. Knew we had 20 mins time in hand and that's a good duration to have brisk walk through the PF which was buzzing with passengers, food vendors.

Soon 22888 (SMVT-HWH Humsafar) followed us and arrived on PF6 at 10:15PM. I just had a look on one of the display board, 12864 was given PF7 where we were stationed. Meant it might be stuck behind on the bridge itself.

very compact runs by the 3 trains for sure !!

at 10:20PM, we got the starter and we start off again with a strong lurch. The washrooms were cleaned again, water was refilled. Post BZA, since it was already 10:30PM and all the berths were laid out, I hopped onto my upper berth with some effort.(I haven't been on an upper for a long time)

As usual not much headroom to sit, I had already made my bedding. I was anyway to be awake to watch the last group(E) match of Germany vs Costa Rica. So kept a track of our on-time run. Very impressive run I tell you all.

We were on time when we crossed SLO. But i felt lot of jerks when the train would pick up pace after slowing down. Like when the P7 pulls the coaches, there is a wave that travels through. More evident on upper berth rather.

Once the match was over, i was dead tired and too sleepy. Just switched off my ph and went in slumber.





Good morning then, day II

I managed to get a good sleep and woke up by the commotion of passengers ready to get down at BBS. Our coupe and most others were getting empty at BBS. We were 5mins before time. Got down from my upper berth, just washed my face and got down at PF. morning stretch done.

A lady was in one of the lower berth in our coupe and that's it. Good time for the troubled RAC passengers to stretch and get good sleep I guess. They helped themselves to some of the other empty berths.

Freshened up, came back to my seat. The pantry guy already placed my share of breakfast on the rack where linen packs are kept. Fortunate, that it didn't fell off.

Very bland, 2 slices of bread, 2 boiled eggs, butter chiplet, salt & pepper chiplets. that's it!! Oh we're already on our way towards CTC by the time I came back to seat.

We skipped CTC at a decent pace. But we were going at good speed over the bridges. Exciting stuff.

Post CTC, we were literally on a roll, blasting past Kapilas rd and all other stations.

I was door-plating and we crossed JJKR, Manjiri rd at frantic pace. So much so, I didn't dare to take out my ph and record.

Skipped Bhadrak at 11:50AM. We were gunning ahead of time and at 12:30pm, we were halted at BLS for 2-3 mins.

By this time, the final meal of the day was ready to be served.

Chicken meal (2 rumali rotis, plain rice, curd, dal, chicken curry, pickle, ice-cream), somewhat Ok Ok in taste. We were flying through Odisha but couldn't see stations as the window curtains were stretched
by the lower berth folks.

in no time we were nearing Hijili when 12245 crossed us as I was on my way back from washroom. Since there wasn't much to do, went up again and laid down for the final few hrs.

We crossed KGP around 2:15-2:20pm, very much early. Got a good siesta after lunch.

I woke up around 4pm, checked Google maps, we were crossing SRC. looked below, few luggage bags were out. there were few big family groups hurtling their trolleys and bags towards the door. Don
t understand that mindset.

We were at HWH outer at 4:15PM. on one side the HWH-NDLS Rajdhani was being shunted. other side, the HWH-MYS Exp sniffs out of HWH with LGD P7.

We crawled into HWH, PF21 at 4:35PM. 15 mins ahead of time.

Got down at a leisurely pace, booked cab and within 30 mins back home

Thad Thad Thad Thad Thad Thad " - the sound like a bursting cracker jolted me up. I wasn't having a sound sleep, but the silence of the coach was disturbed by the thundering sound. What was happening I shuddered, only to realise it was the train on opposite track. It was about 5 mins we left Jolarpettai Junction and I hadn't slept till then, tossing and turning. The berth was pretty comfortable, the wheels were smooth as butter, and air from fan was sufficient. May be the silence around was stopping me from sleeping. Wasn't feeling thirsty as well, but I just couldn't sleep .

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kind attention please- Train number 06021 Mysore bound special will be leaving PF-2 said the announcement at Jolarpettai . The watch showed 0050, we had had a very slow run from JTJ outer to inside PF and still reached JTJ in 2 hrs 10 mins of leaving SBC . Good run by sleep killer as usual , my 1st experience with the LHB rake of this train. It was the 1st LHB SL experience in UB and overall 3rd experience of a SL LHB, previous being the 12251 from YPR to KRNT (MB) . Other few experiences had been by the 16527 from YPR to CBE (SUB) and the AC 2A experiences in 22692 & 12551. The sliding windows in Mail was a new experience and the brightness in the coach was good. The coach, a 2020 product was qute a fresh piece with our bay having the dining table broken. We had the same coach, said my parents, who had travelled from Chennai the previous week

PF-8 to PF-10 were quite busy in the period, with the 06582 Hampi from Mysore reaching late by 15 mins, throwing the display board into chaos. Rani Chennamma was given the proceed as the departure of 06582 went on changing from 2210 to 2230 that Jodhpur express departure announcement was heard for 2240 but Hampi stayed on. However, at same 2240 hours we too got the starter and such a smooth start never ever experienced

Our train was full, not overcrowded, and there were no RAC allocation in coach. The wheels went smooth as butter as we entered into BNC in allotted 10 mins and surprisingly TTE had finished checking. This gives us 5 hours of lying down time and I just wished if it could extend a few more minutes into the dawn. But sleep killer is sleep killer after all

The cracker bursting of Palghat express had ceased and didn't pay much attention to any sounds therafter. May be I had taken a few winks in middle, for the next announcement heard was of the departure of the Chamrajnagar Tirupati express from PF-4 of Katpadi . Didn't see the time, assumed it must be around 2AM

We got the clearance too and the darting continued . Before long and after what seemed like a long sleep, woke up to find us departing a station. The time was 345AM and from the middle berth saw my dad craning out of window and then turning towards me. Get up he said, we have left Perambur

Slowly got up and packing the bedsheets and water bottle , woke my mom up, just as we proceeded past Basin Bridge junction, pulling into Chennai Central at 4AM after a 5 hr 20 mins run into PF-8, with Howrah Mail on PF-9 and announcement on for the incoming GT express onto PF-5 in few minutes , as rake of Sapthagiri occupied PF-7 for its scheduled departure at 620. The HOG LGD WAP7 that had slogged the night for us, gave out a huge breath as it prepared to rest for the day before the next allottment .

Thanks for reading !!!