"he would take care to provide himself with an escape clause"
Some people like me can understand the intensity of that only when someone tells it at a time when they need it. I bet you'd definitely understand it when you are old enough to have a driving license, and you're risking taking your 1995 made "about to scrap" car to pick your elder- even after having said no by elder at home and when someone supports you and says "Take Care".
Congratulations
kəngratjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
plural noun: congratulations
1.
words expressing one's praise for an achievement or good wishes on a special occasion.
Numerous congratulations, but all you know how to respond is with a "Thanks" and a smile on face. That is what I understood when someone said "Congratulations". That practice continued till I faced some sorts of failure. And finally, when I came out of losing streak- the words did mean self explanatory! And the moment I had to say the customary "Thankyou" with a smile on face, I understood that wasn't the apt reply. Right from elders at home to the close friends, when they congratulated me, deep in my heart, few untold tears were formed. Those are the tears which are worth getting. Yes- the untold tears after close people convey congratulations are more sweeter than the success that we achieve. Few wish it directly and few do fun of us- but at the end of the day, they all convey the same.
This was my umpteenth visit to the best natural place around Hyderabad- Raigir. I was already much aware of this place- so I decided to go all by myself. That day was a Wednesday and it was the day I thought I would go. It was slightly raining and after I texted my idea to my fellow ferroequinologists, majority of them suggested to be careful while few others said it was a bad idea. But against all odds, I decided I will show up to myself at the Famous Raigir curve, to which I have never walked. I've been onto the hill many times but I have never walked to the curve. The idea was inspired by Anil- going to Raigir curve on a Wednesday afternoon.
I walked to Vidyanagar- took MMTS bound for Lingampally upto Secunderabad- then took Hyderabad Warangal pushpulll to Raigir. I started walking towards the curve- I recollected all the trains I would be getting- Secunderabad bound Golconda Express, Korba bound Wainganga Express. Nizamuddin bound Rajdhani Express and yes- some freight action. I was hoping for some EMDs in form of freights. Wainganga's official link as per many sources was an EMD, but it generally gets an ALCo due to shortage of EMDs.
I heard some honk and yes- the action begins. Secunderabad bound Golconda goes. And no photo taken. Only KZJ bound trains or the SC bound trains with some rear loco will give nice shots. Some quick discussion with few of my friends on WhatsApp. Quick call to few fellow ferroequinologists to get updated with statuses of trains I had to capture. And then, dark clouds enter the atmosphere- which added up to the beauty of the nature. Lush green trees and dark clouds on top of it- a perfect combination which one would love to see.
Yes- Wainganga was coming anytime and I got geared up with my camera to click the perfect shot. I heard some ALCo honk and the beautifully rebuild Krishnarajapuram WDM3A in short hood forward pulled the Korba bound Wainganga Express. I captured- at two instances- so that I won't miss out anything. A wave to chief and he waves back. I recollected if it was only WDM3A from Krishnarajapuram which was rebuilt. I confirmed it by calling Pramath, a fellow ferroequinologist from Bengaluru.
Korba bound Wainganga royally passes through the 90* curve at Raigir.
Next I heard something what I just hoped for- yes an EMD honk, from KZJ side. So that was helpless either. Within moments, a PUNE WDG4 entered the scenario and there was only one loco with BOXN rake. When the train was about to pass completely- I heard some roar from the rear end of the train. "There is a loco behind" I talked incoherently.
Yes, it was an EMD and it was coupled in short hood back mode. And this time- I made most out of what I was blessed with.
Now I started awaiting something more rear and brilliant to witness- the India's one of the only two ICF Rajdhanis- at the mighty Raigir curve with a white stallion at its helm. There was almost an hour to kill the time, so I decided to do some nature photography. I tried my best to pan shots to the vehicles that were passing through the highway to Bhoopalapatnam. Then entered few unknown insects- which grabbed my attention.
Then I had to encounter couple of freights, of which one happens to be RoRo. Yes a RoRo train came to Raigir- but its the RoRo one actually thinks when he imagines RoRo in IR. It is a military rake, where few jeeps and trucks were being transported on a flat bed rake. Lallaguda WAG 9 was the power. Yes, I did capture even that- which happens to be a rare spotting.
Then Goutham calls- he says Rajdhani has crossed Bibinagar- so I get ready- it may show up anytime, considering it is Rajdhani. I got myself busy in a call with my friend, as I didn't want to feel lonely on such an atmosphere. I knew I could click by being on phone. So, as usual- the 15 minute wait for Rajdhani was a very short one as I was on call with my friend and finally I could hear some honk. Within moments White Stallion with ICF Generator car- followed by vintage red coaches and after couple of coaches- a Duronto coach- after which, tons of metal with vintage Rajdhani livery paint and
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
Rajdhani bound for Hazrat Nizamuddin at Raigir- enough said.
And the Rajdhani bound for Nizamuddin went past me. I thanked my friend for making my 15 minute wait a very short and sweet one- thanks to AirTel and Nokia, or Samsung in my friends case. Then I started walking back- yes I was heading home by APSRTC bus. There was no train till 16:00 in the evening, so I decided to go off to home in a bus, which drops me right in front of my home.
It went just like how I thought- I got down in front of my home.
Yes- KJM WDP4- 20019 was brought and it was coupled in SHF
to Bangalore City bound Rajdhani Express. Announcements for Bangalore City
bound Udyan and its pairing trains were going on. The coupling was done and I
took the hotspot. Reverser to neutral and a bit of throttle. I was switching on head lamps, emergency
brake was also applied. I and my assistant were talking in Walkie-Talkie. After
checking the locomotive, I signed that any damage done to loco from now on will
be in my account and my assistant joined me at the deputy hotspot. We got
starter and I asked the guard about the scenario at the other end of the train.
A gentle voice was heard “Loco pilot 22692, please move” and I hit the “Horn
L/H end” button. The brake was released and as a railfan, I did what a typical
railfan wanted to do. Yes- twintone honk at a station. And I gently put the
first notch and ……….
“Oh was it a dream…. Oops who is calling? +3444- what is
that number? Who is calling me? Is it real world?” I was puzzled. Then I figured out where I was
sleeping and what happened earlier night- everything in a fraction of second
and finally I remembered that I asked Anil to call me up as I was sleeping
close to mid night and I had to catch Mandovi Express that day. “Fine- let me
cut and WhatsApp him” and without second thought- I cut the call.
I recalled the moments of the dream- Yes Bangalore Bound Rajdhani
Express at CST Mumbai. I was loco pilot of Rajdhani powered by an EMD. What was
Rajdhani doing at CST? May be what I though the previous day was being true in
my dream- may be.
I woke up Goutham and we got ready at speed of light and so did the time
run. After having a casual chat with TTE regarding upgradation of our ticket to
Sleeper Class or Three Tire AC, we decided against upgradation and we head to
check our power even after having known Udyan had come with KJM WDP4B 40015
previous night. A customary power check and we were back to our seats, when the
chief decided to trigger the throttle and let the “10103 Chhtrapathi Shivaji
Terminus Mumbai – Madgaon MANDOVI Express” begin its journey of the day.
This part of the junket was the one what I awaited as a foodie. Both of us hoped that it was Ahuja catering that day and we bought
one plate of Samosa. Hot hot samosa, with onion & garlic chutney. The smell
of the chutney itself said “Ahuja is your caterer” but just for a confirmation,
we asked the one who sold us the Samosa.
“Contractor kaun hein?”
“Ahuja sir”
“Badiya, kaafi kuch suna hein uske bare mein. Aaj toh khoob
khana hein”
He grins and leaves. He leaves couple of what can be called
best samosas I’ve ever taken. The onion & Garlic chutney was amazing and
there was an instance where we fought for that chutney. The train was hitting top speed, crossing
numerous trains and skipping many local stations and everything went unnoticed
as the hot hot samosas in our hand didn’t let us think about the other stuff.
And no sooner we finished eating samosas, Seera Upma awaited to enter our stomachs.
The chief stops the train at Dadar and serenity of the bay is slightly lost as
couple of passengers come and occupy their seats. The train gently moves out of
Dadar and slowly picks up pace. We were competing few locals and finally we hit
the top speed. The train was trashing local stations with the chief giving
continuous honk of the deadly WDP4, hitting the calmness to a very huge six
just like how Chris Gayle does. Meanwhile in the coach, we were totally busy in
enjoying the delicious Seera Upma, and the taste of Seera gave me a strong
reminder of Bellary, where in all marriages, this is a customary sweet at the
breakfast or evening snacks.
Thane comes and our bay is overcrowded. We decide to hit the
doors and we do it after finishing our breakfast, which we ate at very slow
pace. A quick look up on web regarding the train we would cross- “Kerala
Sampark Kranthi- WDP3A, Coimbatore Bikaner AC Special, Mandovi, Dadar
Janshatabdi, Karmali Shatabdi and Konkan Kanya- the major ones” I read out.
Pratik Shetty confirms off-link to Coimbatore Bikaner Express- PUNE ALCo.
Karmali Shatabdi had different ideas, as its earlier service crossed it before
Panval, which meant one crossing was preponed. Yes Karmali Shatabdi of that day
was rescheduled at 13:30 hours. A quick halt at Panvel and we head towards
KR-SWR.
We wait for a passenger at unknown station and I almost fall
down from a running train. Yes, the ladder under the steps broke and I was safe
enough, the last step was strong enough to carry me. I sat at the door
carefully and then came the board “WELCOME TO KONKAN RAILWAYS- KONKAN RAILWAY
AAPKA SWAGAT KARTA HEIN!” Then a Masala Dosa seller comes and I grab one
quickly. I eat it at the door and just enjoy the beauty. It was expected- we
were traveling in wrong season and we expected Yellow Konkan. The chief is no
mood to slow down and he hits MPS. Being fourth from loco- the roar of the lion
pulling us was audible and every time it honked- it gave me goose bumps.The wanderlust I had to travel across Konkan was coming true.
The atmosphere was a bit cold but that didn’t stop me from
door plating. The clacking sound of steel clashing with steel along with the
roar and shout of the GT46 PAC adds up to the beauty of The Mighty Western
Ghats, along with Garam Chai- which makes it perfect atmosphere for a person-
err, a ferroequinologist, at least. We expected ourselves to wait for Kerala
Sampark Kranthi but KR stopped it for us. Goutham who was busy with his Bread
Omlette- missed out as I just got a good glimpse at the WDP3A, a rare property
of Indian Railways. It was waiting with Chandigarh bound Kerala Sampark Kranthi
Express and it was waiting for us at Roha. We skipped Roha like a boss as the
chief gave a honk which I can never forget. The blazing honk of WDP4B in LHF
with two flags out for exchanging signal with station master, and I envied each
and every one who was on platform, and I felt sad as they couldn’t figure out
that it was something special to some species on earth.
We were busy in finding out the location Natarajan Chandra
Sekaran and Ujjawal Kashyap did trainspotting, as we knew we were nearing
Mangaon. We came to halt at Mangaon and for better part of next twenty minutes,
we were motionless as we waited for north bound Mangala Lakshwadeep Express. As
soon as Mangala went, our train was given clearance and once again, the EMD
GT46 PAC showed its aggressiveness. We were hitting top speed at very short
time and then came the first tunnel. Sudden Blast of pitch black darkness with
sound produced by tons steel clashing together- all that with the roar of the
GT46 PAC. Few things in life cannot be missed under any circumstances and very
few of them come in darkness. No exceptions for this, this one was totally
priceless to me- the one which I awaited. The loud sound of steel clashing and
the re-sound of the very same sound made it music which I awaited since many
days. It made me deaf even to myself. For the first couple of tunnels, I
couldn't stop shouting out loud of joy.
Few areas and tunnels were negotiated at a very low speed as
we could notice the reason for deceleration- yes the track works were going on.
Then after touching top speed for the umpteenth time, we noticed something very
strange. A triangular board with “110”, which means trains are allowed to
maintain 110 KMPH? This is something very exceptional on KR’s part. It’s a very
rare spotting, considering the terrain on which the route is built.
And when I was thinking of all this, suddenly yet another
tunnel came and yes- yet another out of world experience, in the darkness. The
sound which comes when a train is hitting 110 KMPH with WDP4B in the lead is a
mixture of what I imagined in my childhood. The roar of an EMD, clickey-clack
of steel wheels on polished rails and the reverb of everything- making it a
perfectly amplified sound, by the tunnel itself. I have been into tunnels at
places like Shiradi Ghats, Braganza Ghats, but in all places, the speed was 30
KMPH. Negotiating a tunnel running under mighty hill on you at speed of 110
KMPH was something I cannot describe in words.
And all in this- Goutham asked me if I wanted watermelon- my
favorite fruit. My instant answer: “YES”. I grab few watermelon slices and the
chief was in no mood to slow down. We slowed down at couple of instances but
only for making sure we weren’t over speeding in regions with temporary speed
restrictions.
The food vendor comes to take order for food- and we ask
what all are available. He spoke out a very big list of what was available and
we decided to take two veg dum ki biryanis.
The train finally slowed down after very long time and it
was scenic Diwan Khavati- where a local vendor of cucumbers said “Netravati ke
liye rukhegi.” So its GOC v KJM time folks! We took our positions of capturing
the train, and we waited for good 20 minutes and finally WDP4D came out of a
tunnel- with its head lights on. “Err- mine won’t be focusing” I though in
myself and glad the LP switched off the head lamp, allowing me to film a clip of it without any additional bokeh in it. GOC WDP4D #40099 it was.
We rushed to our coach and we finally entered our coach. All
these unscheduled halts meant we were running behind time and by the time we
entered Khed, it was almost one hour late. After Khed, we got our food served.
After Chiplun, our coach was half empty and the EMD wasn’t disappointing us. A
stop just before Ratnagiri and we crossed the Mumbai bound Mandovi Express leadby my favorite loco WDP4 20019 from Krishnarajapuram diesel loco shed. Ratnagiri
was done which meant the loco pilot changed- and yes Panval Viaduct was
something we were waiting for. There were two more bridges which come before
Panval Viaduct, so it is obvious for a first timer to get confused and come to
know that it is not Panval Nadi Viaduct at the last moment and we were no
different to show that excuse. Two bridges, of which one read Pomendi Viaduct
and after that- yes- Panval Nadi Viaduct.
The passengers in the coach were sleeping without any
tension, but they didn’t know that they were on something which was placed on
hollow erected piers. The train negotiated n number of tunnels and bridges and
there was a time when the only pattern of the journey was
“Bridge-Tunnel-Bridge-Tunnel……” Yet another 110 KMPH mark and we lost our minds
once again.
The chief then halts for the Dadar bound Janshatabdi to cross
us and the sun was hitting his destination. Yes we were running late by close
to two hours and it was Vaibhavwadi Road, where the Janshatabdi Crossing was
scheduled, for that day. The location was simply superb- it was totally filled
with yellow. And in addition to that, it was golden hour. It was the situation
where I decided to take wee bit of risk and jump into bushes so that I get one
nice video of Dadar bound Janshatabdi Express. I went deep into bushes, got my
camera and everything set perfectly. A honk somewhere far off with our EMD roaring- yes the train
was approaching. Gradually it got louder- I got confirmation call from Goutham
as well.
Slowly I could hear the iron horses working and in few
moments, I could feel the vibrations as well.
I entered into train and it was getting dark. And it was
time for sunset. Sun setting from two hillocks was too much to ask, considering
we were moving at high speed but that was something I’d really reject if I get
to capture it. I was ready, awaiting for the perfect moment. And I clicked few
pictures, which didn't turn out to be good, but watching sun set amidst two
hills- it was just a text book sunset.
The train was running late by 2.5 hours and we were asked to
stay back at Kudal. The Sawantwadi Dadar Rajyarani Express was on the other
platform but both continued to be motionless. Then we were expecting that
Trivandrum bound Rajdhani might have got late and may be it is overtaking us.
But no- it was Ernakulam bound Mangala Lakshwadeep Express, which overtook us
at Kudal, taking off reputation for the Mandovi for that run. It was like a fire ball approaching to burn the Mandovi black and blue.
As if the overtakes and crossings weren't enough, we had
scares of loco failure as well. But glad it was a chain pulling prank and we
could march ahead to our destination. Mandovi was signaled to wait for three
crossings- CST Mumbai bound Konkan Kanya Express at Pernem, Kochuveli-Hazrat
Nizamuddin AC Special at Thivim and for Lokmanya Tilak bound Matsyagandha
Express at Karmali. Finally, we made a move from Karmali- with a good 3.5 hours
delay, which meant we would have yet another night with very less sleep. After
Karmali, there was no looking back, as Mandovi was given total preference. We
had to hunt for a retiring room or else a night accommodation at Madgaon and we
had to catch Mumbai CST-Mangalore Junction Super Fast Express next day. I saw
the places where I visited in June 2013- Majorda Junction to Madgaon- which
consist of Suravali. Finally, Mandovi dropped us at Madgaon at 22:00, a good
3.5 hour delay.
A thankyou to you if you have read it till here :) .
For all the full notches with Loud screaming honks of Krishnarajapuram WDP4.
For all the roars amidst the tunnels.
For all the lip smacking Dosas/Cutlets/Biryanis/Methi Bhajjis.
For all the thundering you provide when you move on Zuari Bridge at 110 kilometers per hour.
For being the ISO certified train
For being the first train to run in Konkan Railways.
I thank you for giving strong goosebumps whenever I think of your name.
Happy Birthday to the Queen of Konkan Railways: Konkan Kanya Express.
Konkan Kanya Express begins its voyage to Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus Mumbai with WDP4 from Krishnarajapuram #20062 at its helm through the Serine Seralium. Needless to mention, the serenity of Suravali was hit for a huge six.
There was a kid, who saw train and a water fall in the song Nath Nath from Badrinath, featuring dance of Allu Arjun.
There was a kid, who read a trip report in BCM touring.
As soon as he saw that- he added it into his bucket list.
He figured out where it exists- and he did all possible plans to visit there.
But it being in a place where you need to trek- he was waiting for the time when he could practically plan.
He then came across many more pictures and videos from that place. He grew up seeing all those pictures. He also clarified doubts of many people who were fit enough to visit that place. Yes he was jealous, but on other side of coin, he was helpless.
Then came a perfect time he could actually visit.
The trip came into jeopardy as the one of the exam of him was postponed.
As a close save, the exams were done without disturbing his trip.
On his way to home from examination center, he suffered an accident, which happened to be the journey day.
Thankfully, he wasn't injured badly, unlike his friend, who was unable to walk.
His friend sacrificed his trip.
Finally the journey began with two people instead of what could have been three.
Then another jolt- salt was added to his injury while getting down from middle berth.
Somehow, with all the pain untold, he made himself fit enough for the big day.
And finally the day arrived and all the things he kept on seeing in pictures was coming true in moments.
He was excited to the core. He forgot all his injuries, all that was in his mind was that particular place. He was a tunnel away from reaching the place what he kept on dreaming of visiting. Finally he crossed that tunnel and VOILA!
As me and Vamsee were experimenting something very new atop- playing background musics to trains playing through Raigir, the next scheduled train to hit the tracks was Konark Express, bound for Bhubaneshwar. One speciality of this train was this was one daily which gets diesel link at Raigir. Customary link is a Kazipet WDM3A or WDG3A.
As usual, it was scheduled to trail Rajdhani and the northbound Rajdhani went with WAP 7 from Lallaguda. Konark was expected anytime and in the mean time, I click few pictures of insects, which came off okay-ish.
In the meantime- we heard some honk and we got ready in our positions. Konark Express it was- because that is the only ALCo we were supposed to get. As planned- Vamsee got ready with his background track- "Mumbai ke Hero" from "Zanjeer". It was CR train, so, Mumbai ke hero. That was one reason why we went for it.
I started video recording- and the loco was WDG3A "Shakti" Number was in 13*** series- it actually didn't matter though. I perfectly shot ton of steel pass by and as soon as the train entered the curve- I decided to stop the video and get a perfect click.
Train entered curve.
I stopped recording.
*HalfClick*
*Hold*
*Click*
Waits for the train to be exactly at the center.
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
YES!
Bhubaneshwar bound Konark Express negotiates sweeping curve at Raigir.
*Thanks to skype, I could really concentrate on something else and be calm*
13.25: My skype call gets over, and my total attention goes on to facebook for some time now. You still appear online. Now starts my tension. Daily I be online 24*7 to converse something with you. The time has come where I need to do something.
Tension.
Sweat.
Somebody yells my name- Thankgod- AFK.
13.40: I am back. You still appear online.
Opens the box. Types something gibberish.
"Shift + Up Arrow" -> "backspace" -> Clicks on the previous messages, so as to make sure I am not typing.
Tension. Sweat. Nervousness.
13.45: Opens Youtube account. Replies to all the comments I've got on my video.
13.47: Finally peace. You appear offline.
Is just a small "Hi" is all I ask for- is it too much?
Happiness was- Watching Team win by following on in a test match and one player support another player by scoring 180 in one full day.
Happiness was- Watching one man trash Kiwi Bowlers by scoring half century in just 22 balls. Happiness was- Watching player playing for team and situation, not according to his need and mood. Happiness was- Watching a player see all the ten wickets of his team fall at the other end. Happiness was- Watching one man scoring maximum runs in 1996 World Cup. Happiness was- Watching a man re-script the history on Kangaroo Land by hitting a double century at Adelaide. Happiness was- Cover drives by that one man. Happiness was- Come back to ODis after 4 years just because team needed him. Happiness was- See a player make debut and swansong in the very same match. Happiness was- Seeing One man hit three sixes on trott in a T20 match. Happiness was- Watching someone hitting classical boundaries amidst all unorthodox shots in RCB jersey. Happiness was- Watching someone shake hand with team owner who didn't buy for him in auction being his hometown's franchisee owner. Happiness was- One man being undefeated at Jaipur with Rajasthan Royals.
Happiness was- Cricket With Rahul Dravid.
The only pic of Rahul Dravid I've ever clicked. Yes- it was Deodhar Trophy 2008, when RD scored a century for a losing Cause.
Happy Birthday Rahul Sharad Dravid. Cricket is never the same without you.
