What I want?

"You still blast music into your ears, but you are not really listening. Your body is in the present but that’s about all. Your mind is wandering in search of the intangible. Something that probably doesn’t even exist. And then you blame yourself for not finding it."
- Anil Kumar Y,
www.shayanyaan.com

Tirupati Double Decker Express.

A lot of people have written, at length, on how the name Double Decker is just a façade to mask what is quite plainly a train that will promise you no more than an uncomfortable ride. So when such a service was introduced between Kacheguda and Tirupati I had written it off as just another train introduced by ministerial whim. I knew not, of course, at the time, that this very train would later cause me to experience happiness in its purest form, if ever there was such a thing.

India is full of unpretentious locations by the trackside that often pass by as blurs whilst on the trains to more important destinations and of late I have been keeping my eyes wide open for such spots. After all where’s the thrill in visiting a popular picnic spot with dozens of gawking tourists to contend with.

Needless to say, on an earlier journey to Kurnool, on the same double decker, I was attracted by a bridge over the River Krishna not too far shy of Gadwal. Attracted enough to dream up a bordering on mad plan to drive all 190km up to the bridge, just to photograph the Tirupati bound Double Decker passing over.

So, one Saturday morning, whilst everyone else is going about their dull and monotonous routines, I am barreling down the highway on a Honda CBR, with my partner in crime, VK, on the way to the bridge.

I guess every rail fan has one thing about the railway that forms a connection down memory lane to their younger days when they first realized that the passing of a train is more than just a few tonnes of metal moving from A to B. And my connection is the River Krishna. A few hundred kilometers further north, at the Krishna station itself, as a child, I would watch the trains go by with that typical five year old’s excitement. Cut to 2014. Whenever I see a train, I still become that same five year old all over again.

I arrive on the banks of the river and size up the challenge. The world often looks very rosy from the confines of an AC coach of a train. Not so, once you really get off your backside and out amidst the elements. My mind has been imagining what the perfect shot would look like. It is soon evident that, in order to get that shot, I would have to wade into the river itself.

No matter, as my childhood experience from doing just that, kicks in and I am soon comfortably positioned for the dream photograph. VK chooses to remain on the banks but between the two of us we have all angles covered. Now it is just a matter of waiting. The irony of it all is striking. We as rail fans, spend hours in waiting for the passing of a train and at the end of it, all the drama finishes in all but a few seconds.

Alone in the river, having found a rock to take support from and prevent most of my body from getting wet, I begin to take stock of how quiet the whole place is. So quiet that I can hear my own breathing. So quiet that after a while it is scary. So quiet that the silence is deafening. All I do every day is blunder around, feeling my way through the humdrum of the city. Here, there’s not a soul around for miles. For a while my brain finds it difficult to take it all in. The profundity of being in close proximity to such silence is something that is hard to be put into words.

My ponderings are interrupted by the sound of a horn in the distance. I snap to attention. I am about to be witness to a train rumbling over the Krishna, of all rivers. There is a flurry of déjà vu. The coldest of shivers shoots down my spine. It is a Saturday, and I could be in a movie theater or some posh restaurant. Yet I find myself right in the middle of a river at the most obscure of locations, waiting for a train to pass. It is moments like this that I live for.

The horn gets louder. As does the chugging from the loco. I clutch my camera all the tighter. The last few seconds of waiting are more agonizing than the first hour. I feel my body go cold with excitement. My breaths become heavier. I glance at my camera screen one last time to ensure the settings are correct and take aim.

The Kacheguda-Tirupati Double Decker bursts onto the scene. With another blast of the horn, the train is on the bridge. As it passes, I notice how the blue of the locomotive pales in comparison to the bright red and yellow of the coaches behind it. The humming of the generator cars competes with the chugging of the loco. My finger holding the camera shutter is sweating, itching for me to press it further. But I force myself to hold on for a few extra seconds. The tension is electric. The train is now straight in front of me in the middle of the bridge. I can even see the people inside, silhouetted.

Click.

Even before the image comes up on my screen, I know I have shot an absolute cracker of a photograph. All the muscles in my body can now relax as I watch the last of the coaches disappear from view.

VK turns to look at me and gives me the thumbs up. I acknowledge. No words need be exchanged.

The apartment on wheels, as it were, had never been more beautiful.

__

Perhaps it would be appropriate to mention that while I have experienced all this, on the other side of world, my dear friend, AKY, who actually wrote this mind blowing report only based on the text messages I've sent.

Freezing the moment of lifetime, getting it portrayed by your favorite writer, I think I am one lucky soul.

HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/85992756@N05/14614493953/

Of Pains, Compromises, CBC Jerks and Triumphs!

Having seen off by Chennai based Railfans at Chennai Central, I put my rucksack at the place where it is supposed to be kept. The chief already showed his intentions of being aggressive by imposing strong jerks right from Basin Bridge, we were asked to crawl at least up to Ennore. I had to stand at the door despite being allotted a window seat at the time of booking. My seat was allotted right beside a 20 year old girl in a two seat composition, which automatically meant I had to give up my window seat to her father, who had no seat reserved. Thankfully, he consulted the TTE before others did so that he could get one for himself, which would be my seat. Welcome on board "unreserved" AC Chair Car, Pinakini Superfast Express bound for Vijayawada.

This image may not be the one I experienced, but the Lallaguda WAP 4 and the CBC rake based at Vijayawada were same. Thankyou Vinoth sir, for the image.

Being totally bored with the crawl, I decided enter into the coach and the pantry vendors had nothing to offer except Tomato soup. Quick call to Jayakar Sunakara, Vijayawada based veteran member of IRFCA. As he already made plan long ago, he confirms- if train is on time, dinner with him. I decided to sleep as soon as the train was crossing Ennore, and with a heavy jerk sent down by the chief, I got up at Sullurupeta. A track side window was empty and I head to it. I recollect the Gudur outer halt without any signal, right at the zone changing. Going by people who're frequent travelers of that section, it is said that the train would halt at no man’s land or will be halted at Gudur outer because of zone changing formalities. To my surprise, none of that has happened. We halted right at Gudur station, and the owner of the Window place turns up. I give a stern look to that father- and then I head to door. We were 10 minutes early into Gudur and we started bang on time from Gudur.

A call to the local friend of mine- Goutham, who stays at Bengaluru now. He asks me to stay out at the door up to Nellore as there were 7 back to back bridges right after Gudur. So I made up my mind- at the door up to Singarayakonda and after that, it didn’t actually matter considering nothing is visible after dusk. Slingshot out of Gudur, as narrated by my friend, seven bridges back to back, all taken in at 60+ KMPH. Added to that, they all have Ferric girders which meant the track sounds were at their peak.

Although that experience kept my mind diverted for some time, no sooner had the chief slammed on the brake at an unscheduled station right after Gudur, sending strong jerks back into my coaches, than my anguish due to my inability to sit at my designated place reached its peak. At one point, I even had thoughts of repeating a Luis Suarez to that fatty bloke, who was traveling ticketless- and still being in a position to eject me from my designated seat. There was total silence. It was 17:04 and the maximum I could enjoy the window was for another one and half hour. I somehow satisfied myself that the door was much better place and continued to be at the door.

Venkatachalam.  More track sounds with greater intensity than usual.

Shock and awe.

And needless to mention, Venkatachalam was taken at full tilt. I observe the points at the Chennai bound line. Yes- they had much more fish plates than what actually were supposed to be. Added to it, a girder bridge between two points.

Goosebumps.

Steel clashing steel at points itself was something which could give me strong goosebumps and consider a hollow ferric girder between two of them. Consequently, Venkatachalam was added into bucket list of mine, without a second thought.

Vedayapalem. One hundred and ten kilometers per hour. Sweet spot on the speed-o-meter.

Nellore South. Braking. Speed comes down at rapid pace and exactly inverse happens to the diffusion of smell of braking. Curve and centripetal force come into action. Goutham had mentioned it on the call earlier.

Nellore-

Two missed calls. One from Goutham and the other unknown. Called up Goutham from his home town.

River Penna, which is also called Pinakini.

Bass filled track sounds constant for a long period of time. And there it comes. Jerk! Jerk and one more jerk! All of them on the bridge. Holding the door handles tighter than ever, I observe the train with CBC couplers accelerate on ferric girder itself tremendous goosebumps. And imagine if the train's name is Pinakini itself!

A gentle voice comes from behind. "Do you study in SRM?" It was the same girl who was responsible for me standing at the door comes to door. My mind gets relaxed. Nerves get released. Mental battle won.

I respond "Nope. I study at Hyderabad." Information about colleges exchanged. She belongs to SRM Kattankulatur, final year now. She asks me- why was I so particular about a window. I explain why exactly I was traveling in two trains from Chennai to Hyderabad when I had option of choosing the direct one. And conveyed her that my sadness was obvious. She apologizes! "Oh, so kill a person and apologize" I thought of telling her, but it would be truly harsh on her part. She says her father was getting down at Kavali and I would be given my allotted seat. "I won the battle" said my mind.

Bitragunta halt and accelerate. A scheduled one. Chennai bound Rajdhani Express shows up with a white stallion at its helm. LGD WAP 7 #30337. I update my friends via WhatsApp.

She stayed with me at the door, simply talking about various topics which ranged between assignments to the fare hike in Indian Railways. She was awestruck at my hobby, a general reaction of people when they hear about it. Finally Kavali arrives. Just like winning runs are scored in a test match on session 3, day 5, I finally entered the coach, at around 18:00- and I noticed that we were running behind schedule.

Jerk indicated we were out of Kavali, and sweet spot on the speedo was touched as I could observe tremendous vibrations and shakes the coach started giving. Vendors who were all shouting "Tomato soup" now had many things to sell. The shouts now varied from Tomato Soup to Mirchi Bhajji. And yes- it included Veg Cutlet, for which the pantry car is famous for. No sooner I heard them shout Veg Cutlet- than I ordered one. Yes it was delicious as expected. One more plate!

And now- nothing except my own reflection was visible at the window. I try to darken my background by entering into curtain. I do watch the most I could. Finally at Ongole, I decide to stop peeping out because already half of the coach started looking at me like a mentally handicapped. She bids bye at Ongole.

A call from Jayakar sir, about my current status.

Chirala- I head to platform for a cool drink and by the time I enter coach, somebody has already occupied my seat. Yes they don't have reservation. I eject them from my seat and they give a stern look. "If you are staying at the place where you are allotted to, you are given a stern look. Great!" I thought.

Same episode repeats. Location Batpatla though. This time she convince me "I have a baby." I questioned them about what ticket they had. General ticket. Directly reported to TTE. They are thrown out of coach. I win!

And guess what- same episode repeats, again! Location changes to Nidubrolu. This time, it was a guy who was having a unreserved ticket too. He occupies the seat right beside me. Not even a single damn given.

High speed run. Tenali brake and accelerate, just for a minute. Thankfully no one occupied my seat giving me ecstasy, as I thought I had to sing the very same song again.

Krishna Canal Junction- skipped. I decide to pack my bag. Hit the door for one last time. I choose to be on the side which allows me to have a good glimpse of Indrakeeladri Hill, Prakasam Barrage and Durga Temple. They looked mesmerizing and the train hissed to halt, right on bridge. Call from Jayakar sir. Tells me where to meet him. I update my status "On bridge." I enquire about the platform number. Platform was on the other door. I decide to stay there till we enter Vijayawada.

The guy who took up my seat was standing right behind me. He started bugging "This ain't the side of platform, go away." "You will fall down in Krishna River if you slip." This train has disc brakes" etc etc. I kept my calm. Not even single damn given. 15 KMPH speed restriction and chief decides to give strong jerks to slow down the train and that guy ends up in the vestibule absolutely flat! My turn now- "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha." I laugh loud enough to insult him and his stupidity- who showed off he had all railway knowledge in the world. I win, again!

Finally I hit my destination-a good 20 minutes behind schedule.

A big thank you if you have read it up to here. I would like to thank my friend Anil for doing the editing job. I would also like to thank Dpa, who did a pre-read this and suggested title. Finally, I'd like to conclude this report by thanking Mr. Vinoth Thambidurai for allowing him to use his wonderful photograph. Thank you all.

Best Photo Till Date!

Everyone has one photo which they consider as their best photo. And now, I guess I too got one one surpassed my previous best.

22120 Kacheguda Tirupathi Double Decker Express cruises on Bridge over river Krishna with a Gooty WDM3D at its helm.

I honestly do not know how far the 22120 Kacheguda Tirupathi Double Decker is successful, but as long as giving me a shot to remember for ever, it has done its part.

Special thanks to Vamsi Krishna and his CBR, which towed me all the way to Gadwal, a whooping 190 KMs away from where I live, just for clicking this shot. Special thanks to Pramath Sb, for doing the honors of post processing this picture.

Click on the image for high definition version.

There she comes.. The Double Decker!

Having cruised on bike at high speeds of 120 KMPH on National Highway #7, 2.5 hours of sitting at same position, pain was quite obvious. But wait- there was something I could smile for. Yes, I indeed got best pic of mine till date. As earlier, I have saved best of mine for a particular occasion, but here I am sharing one, which I clicked just before I got best pic by me till date.

Kacheguda Tirupathi Bi Weekly Double Decker Service cruises on Bride over river Krishna.

Click on the image for high definition version.

Location: Krishna River, Gadwal.

The Top Notch!

After getting down from Sabari Express with full uncertainty of the tour at Palakkad, everyone were totally in panic, not regarding the trip, but regarding one of the members of our troop who wasn't fit enough to avoid "fits" look alike abnormality. Avinash Venkitachalam, the local resident of Palakkad who guided us to the hospital, and the doctor gave the final nod for trip but with few precautionary measures.

Having ensured all the precautionary measures were taken, we head for a short trainspotting outing at Parli, where our delay ensured we missed the total EMD action. However, we didn't knew if its total end because one train was yet to ply through. Parli was a normal railway station- with two loops, identical to Ghatkesar. However, it was easily 10 times greener than what Ghatkesar was, a day before.

Krishnarajapuram twins (WDG3A) were with frieght blocking loop towards Shorannur. No sooner we entered the location, Erode homed WAP 4 with Patna Ernakulam Express hit the scenario as that service gave us perfect 110 KMPH blast. Yes- 16310 welcomed us at Parli, with full MPS stage show, overtaking the KJM twins. Electric fans from our troop got their muscles released as they had something to smile about for the day.

Avinash said- "Next might be the EMD one." I didn't knew which train it was and neither I cared about what train it was. I was hungry for watching an EMD do MPS. When intimated that it would be bound for Palakkad- I went to a perfect position- by crossing the road over bridge.

Drizzle.

Umbrella bought at Palakkad gets its first duty as I settle at my sweet spot for the picture.

"HONK" I shouted! "Yes- I too heard something" said Santhosh. We were EMD fan boys after all.

The honk of EMD kept on pitching up as the roar was also audible now.

Both roar and honks kept pitching up and it was at a very good tempo- which meant the train was at pure MPS.

The first view! Click. And the jet sound unleashes as the chief decides to notch up the locomotive!

Trademark V shaped smoke! No- not clicked as I was awestruck seeing it!

Ponmalai WDP4D #40114- and click!

Dropped the camera to hang with the support of the neck belt

and

ZZZzzzUUUuuuuuu*Zzzz*uuuuuIIIiiiii*Uuuuuu*iiiiiiiiiiii*iiiiiiiii*

The original roar from the loco and then the resound of the same roar because of the road over bridge- and that made my day. Pure superfast action- as the train found itself in a hurry. Steel clashing with two more steel plates (fish plate point) and the track sounds were at the peaks.

And then I looked at the destination board of the last coach and it read "Mangalore Central- Chennai Egmore Express".

Added to bucket list- instantaneously!

Sun down.

There are many ways to see a sun set. It may be simple sun drowning into the tall buildings. And sometimes this. Sun entering tress or land, with birds chirping.

Sun down 24th May, 2014.

A special upload from me on special occasion.