Flag Exchange

After a confused start to a day, I find myself, well within my train departure time, at Nellore railway station. The confusion and the special mention of "well within my train departure time," I'll leave it for some other time.

I have visited Nellore earlier, and my friend, who now stays in the US of A, had accompanied me back then. I'm well acquainted with the station given that I had visited the same place sometime ago. This time, I had come alone on some other purpose, and there was a flurry of déjà vu while I was walking in the station or around the town.

I give a thought of placing my luggage on the platform, but later conclude that its a bad idea. I instead go to the place my coach is supposed to halt, and I hear a honk from the other side of the line. I take few steps towards the other platform, and hearing the honk and at the pace at which it was coming, I speculate that the train coming is some freight.

File Picture of a Flag Exchange.

I observe the station master and khalasi come out with their green flags, to manually confirm the green signal ahead and reassure that everything was fine to continue their journey and this process is referred as "Flag Exchange" or "Signal Exchange".

Clearing the bridge over river Pennar which is right before the station, the locomotive curves into the platform.

Erode WAG 7 with a Prancing Deer printed on its face- freight, as expected.

The loco pilot and his assistant proudly put their green flags on the either side of the locomotive, a good 200 meters from where the station master and Khalasi were standing. No sooner than the cabin crew put their flags out, than the Station Master and Khalasi raise their right arms with green flag held.

This is a special moment for a railfan, witnessing the exchange of the signals (or flags) of a particular train with the station master of some station the train is passing by or the crew of some other train, and it was after long time I was watching this. In fact, it was the first time I was witnessing the flag exchange from a close quarter.

As the loco was approaching the point of flag exchange, I get more and more edgy, and as soon as I see both the pairs lift the flag in the air while they meet, I tell myself "these are the moments you live for."

[WATCH] What it Feels like to be Inside the Mighty Gatimaan Express.

The way I see train is entirely different. I'm not from the bunch of people who will write it down telling "Indian Railways has poor food," or "Indian Trains are unhygienic," instead I'm a kind of soul who will find for the trains which are maintained well and has good food to travel.

I'm a railfan. You can find more about what it is like to be a railfan by checking the link on the word railfan. As soon as I heard Gatimaan was going to be inaugurated, my feeling was nothing lesser than a fan's heart moments before his favorite hero's movie releases.

I had already traveled in Bhopal Shatabdi Express, which clocks 150 KMPH in the same section, however Gatimaan was something I had to do!

Myself and a friend had a plan to travel in it June, but due to certain changes in my personal life, I know I was going to be busy at that point of time with some other work. So, I roughly made a plan, on Tuesday, and somehow got it materialized.

Thursday: Dakshin Express
Friday: Journey.
Saturday: Arrival at 04:05 hours at Nizamuddin.
Saturday: NZM-AGC Gatimaan.

My mind had only this plan until the time I had booked the tickets.

With some hustle and bustle in office, I managed to book a Tatkal Ticket in Dakshin Express.

After I got it, I reached home, and then I made the return itinerary. It was soon evident that I had to fly back, given the time constrain I was given at home. So I chose 12625 Trivandrum Central-New Delhi Kerala Express between Agra and New Delhi, followed by 18:35 IndiGo to Hyderabad.

Everything got materialized, and at 04.20 hours on April 9, I found myself on Hazrat Nizamuddin Platform 4.

I got ready in the train itself, and I was looking for the option of fast forwarding those 200 odd minutes.

I was roaming around, and trains from destinations across India- Malwa Express, Chattisgarh Express, Bengaluru Rajdhani Express, Goa Express, Pune Duronto Express, Goa Sampark Kranthi Express, Tamil Nadu Express, Thirukkural Express, Karnataka Sampark Kranthi Express, Taj Express were busy.

In the meanwhile, I had some okay-ish Kachoris, washed down with a cup of tea.

The time had finally passed, as Gatimaan was announced on Platform 5. Taj Express was scheduled to depart on Platform 5 by 07:05, so it meant that Gatimaan will follow Taj Express.

I was in dilemma, hoping for no last moment platform changes, but then, the train hostess had already assembled on platform 5 with their heavy kits, which made it evident that there won't be any platform change.

Taj Express departed, and I was surprised to see the platform fully crowded. I asked my friends to check the availability, and Gatimaan was in Waiting list! This wasn't something I was looking for, considering a railfan has certain favorite seats in the coach, which will give the experience of a train ride to the maximum.

Looking at the coach layout, it was evident that I was either going to get the best one (facing the locomotive and the side which has down line) or the worst one (non track side, reverse pulling). I was hoping for the best to happen.

Honk of a train interrupted my thoughts, and BOOM! Gatimaan is here.

GZB WAP 5 #30007 Pulls the Gatimaan on the Platform!

As soon as rake was berthed, I found that my fate was bad and I got the worst possible seat in the coach. I was happy that I was able to get a window, considering there were huge number of people who didn't get even that!

Beautiful rail hostess welcomed us with a water bottle and welcome drink.

There were some selfies taken with the board and I had taken one such too :) .

People settled down with few seat exchanges, and the clock stuck 08.10 and the train departed. Loco pilots made their intention clear- "SMASH!!!"

As soon as the train cleared points- it was like a EMU/Local Train acceleration and we were already cruising at 120 KMPH within 2 KMs. Then there were few speed restrictions imposed near Faridabad, and the mighty Gatimaan was doing what everyone was waiting for- 160 KMPH.

Being a Railfan is always handy. You have all the tools you need!

Before I realized I was living my dream, we overtook a train between Chandigarh-Madgaon, "Goa Sampark Kranthi Express" at a remote station, "Asaoti," which is famous for high speed trains among railfans. I was awestuck at the sight- the way we overtook.

And in the very next station, a train from Shri Ganganagar to Howrah- "Udyan Abha Toofan Express" was brutally overtaken by Gatimaan!

While I was happy that we were given at most priority on the section, I was envious that I was missing out the fun from other side of the world. I videograph trains and Gatimaan is one such which I would definitely do it one day!

The beautiful hostess interrupted my romance with the Gatimaan, as she asked for my breakfast preference. "Vegetarian- South" I immediately respond. She hands over a tray and the food was not so impressive.

It wasn't so tasty, but the way it was served was decent.

I finish this at jet speed to make sure I get maximum out of this trip, and while eating this, we overtook some unknown train at some unknown location.

The next one to be gulped down by Gatimaan was Taj Express. It departed 65 minutes before Gatimaan, only to bow down to the mighty Gatimaan 113 Kilometers after Hazrat Nizamuddin.

And there was one more, awaiting Gatimaan to go ahead!

Train bound to the southern most tip of country- Thirukkural Express, was waiting for our train at Kosi Kalan.

It was unfortunate from the part of Thirukkural's passengers, as they could witness Gatimaan overtaking their train at just 90 KMPH, due to the speed restriction at the station.

We slowed down, and Gatimaan skipped Mathura Junction at the reduced speed, and as soon as we skipped Mathura, it was an EMU acceleration again! Within no time, Gatimaan accelerated to 160 KMPH and we were given the best preference in the biggest Rail Network on this planet!

Gatimaan ignored few remote Uttar Pradesh stations, and we decelerate at Billochpura, to meet the speed restriction at Raja ki Mandi, which is the penultimate station! After having observed the speed restriction, loco pilot gave one final acceleration, and BOOM, Gatimaan was taken into Agra Cantonment Platform 6 at 09.43 hours, 7 minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival.

If you get goosebumps when you see a train- make sure you have a ride in this wonderful train! Also, you may watch my collection of videos in my YouTube channel.

Konkan Trip in Pictures: The Konkan Expedition.

After having relieved some stress in my life, I thought of going to a trip, and what better place could it be in the month of August, except the mighty Konkan land. To add up to the reasons, I had to visit Gokarna for some reason, and I had chalked out a trip. Secunderabad-Bengaluru City in Rajdhani Express, Bengaluru City-Gokarna in Karwar Express, Gokarna-Madgaon in Matsyagandha Express, Madgaon-Kacheguda in Amaravathi Express slip. I had booked the tickets, thanks to my friends' IRCTC transactions.

20029 was powering my Rajdhani Express, bound for Bengaluru City. It had come with LGD WAP 7 30318, all the way from Hazrat Nizamuddin.

I woke up to a phone call and I heard a strange news, about the accident of Bengaluru City Nanded Express. I just checked with my buddies and I came to know that we were about to be rerouted via Pakala-Katpadi- Jolarpettai-Bangarpet.

No sooner did I hear the news, than our train pulled out from Dharmavaram towards Pakala.

This line is the line which recently underwent guage conversions. Although the sectional MPS of this section ranges between 60-80 with numerous permanent speed restrictions, there are not many trains in this section, which means Rajdhani had a Rajdhani-esque run amidst the Royal rocks of Rayalaseema.

Probably for the first time Rajdhani Express had travesed across Horsley Hills.

Beautiful sunrise at Rayalaseema.

These people need a special mention, because these people were working consistently so that people on board are served at least some thing. In route diverted train with on board catering, its not easy to serve 1000 people with food without food being loaded at intermediate stations.

These people managed to serve 2A passengers with breakfast and late lunch, however managed to serve either breakfast or lunch to the 3A passengers. They were kind enough to make sure requests were fulfilled immediately from passengers who had infants.

Our train, probably for the first time with an electric locomotive, enters Katpadi, around 20 minutes before 12245 Howrah-Yeswantpur Duronto was scheduled to pass by. We had a crew change, I had quickly purchased some food, just in case if I was hungry.

Duronto trailed us up to Jolarpettai Junction, where we made way for the Duronto, lead by Santragacchi WAP 4.

This reminded me about the 2013 Laila Toofan, when tracks were washed off at Costal Andhra Pradesh and 12245 was diverted via Secunderabad, when Duronto was just infront of Rajdhani up to Nagpur, and then Rajdhani overtook Duronto and they both closely followed until Bengaluru City/Yeswantpur.

History made, although for wrong reasons- Bengaluru City Rajdhani entering Yeswantpur Junction with Electric Loco for the first time in history.

Being an ardent fan of Bengaluru Rajdhani Express, I couldn't have experienced this in a better way.

After deboarding Rajdhani, I took 16523 Bengaluru City-Karwar Express, upto Gokarna.

This is early in the morning at Subrahmanya Road, where the monster in the right woke up along with me (cranked up).

We had passed Shiradi Ghats, and then we crossed the mighty Netravathi River, around Kabakaputtur.

We entered into Mangaluru Central amidst heavy rain. I had breakfast at Mangaluru Central, and trust me, you will love the wada at this station.

And no sooner our 16523 was into Konkan, we were looped into Thokur, to cross Konkan Railway giant- Matsyagandha Express, and it showed up with an offlink all the way from Ratlam.

We continued to wait, which meant Kochuveli Garib Rath was also on its way. It showed up with Ernakulam ALCo, long hood forward.

We continued our journey and I thoroughly enjoyed the run in Konkan Railway. We were halted at Manki, to cross Okha-Ernakulam Express, which went past with customary Twin ALCos from Ernakulam.

16523 dropped me at Gokarna Road with a good delay of 1 hour. I checked into hotel, which was quite cheap, and then headed for darshan.

Once I was done with Darshan, I visited the Gokarna Beach to click the sunset.

I went into the miighty Arabian sea to feel the water on my legs. I had waited almost around 1 hour to see this wonderful sunset.

The only regret I carry is I haven't seen a perfect sunset till date, where the sun dips into horizon, not into intermediate clouds.

A Shiva Lingam was put up and something was written in Telugu itself, which meant someone from Andhra Pradesh/Telangana had commissioned the statue.

After the sunset, I had a good sleep.

The next day, I went to a sight seeing place nearby for some time, and then visited this beautiful Aganashini River, to which my friend Kevin Russel Sequeira was coming over. We had confusion till we executed the plan, given that both Sharavathi River and Aganashini River were really picturesque. We stuck to Aganashini because I could reach to this place directly and easily.

As soon as I came here, I could hear a honk from the Mirjan tunnel, and to my surprise, it was this KR patrolling van.

I had walked to the bank of the river, waiting for two trains to show up. Being in constant touch with Kevin, who was onboard 16336 NCJ-GIMB Express, kept giving me live updates.

Few local people at Mirjan made me feel good, by inviting me into their home if at all I had any issue. I thanked them, and continued my wait, hoping for a unlikely Ro-Ro/Freight. Unfortunately, nothing turned up.

I did some local wandering in the village, and there were hardly any people around. Few people started their day by going on to fish, few kids went to school, everyone seemed to be in a hurry.

At one point, everything I saw was green. No matter where you see, only thing you could see is greenery.

And as soon as Kev got down at Kumta, he took a bus, and he informed me to be ready because the action for the day was about to begin.

As he said, Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express chugged past the Aganashini River with twin ALCos homed at Ernakulam.

This being first train to shoot, I had messed up with the EXIF. I made sure that I won't be messing up with the Magnum Opus of spottings of that day- Trivandrum Rajdhani.

Kev had updated me about Rajdhani passing Kumta, and I got ready. But it was very unfortunate that my lens had accummulated some fog, and I didn't knew how it happened. Luckily, it was on the external glass and my microfiber cloth made sure my camera is fit to capture the Rajdhani.

And GOC WDP3A goes past River Aganashini with the mighty Trivandrum Rajdhani Express in the tow.

And as soon as the Rajdhani passed by, Kevin walked in.

We rushed to the other side of the bridge. 

And no sooner we went to the other side of the bridge, than came the LTT-ERS Duronto Express, with an Kalyan WDM3D in the lead.

And it rushed past to Kumta, doing the LHBesque cling-clangs.

Few moments after Duronto rushed past, the third Premium Class train on trott, this time the longest running Duronto Express of Indian Railways, Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express blazed past with Ernakulam ALCo in the lead.

We had some leisure time, because the trains were delayed due to some reason. Almost one hour was spent without action.

We had a freight with twin WDG4s, and then 12133 The Rocket bound for Kankannady, Mangaluru.

Seen here is the Rocket bound for Mangaluru Junction.

And then went the fastest passenger of Indian Railways, the Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Passenger.

Closely trailing passenger was the Intercity Superfast between the same two destinations.

And after this, we head back to Kumta by a bus, had sumptous lunch in the bus stand cafeteria (it served delicious food), and then we head to the pleasant Kumta station.

After coming into Kumta, we had a delicious meal at Kumta Bus station, it was quite delicious, especially the rasam, which was out of world.

We reached the deserted Kumta Station, where we just experienced peace. No single train passed by, for almost 2 hours, and still we enjoyed the atmosphere.

Kevin's train to his home, 16524 Karwar-Bengaluru City Express came into Kumta, before the 22655 Trivandrum Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Superfast, which meant we came back onto platform.

I bid Kevin good bye and we promised to meet sometime later in our lives, hoping for a better day of trainspotting.

Kevin gave me updates through phone, and he told me about the power, which was something that came to me as a surprise. Nah, I'm not talking about the WDP3A, but I'm talking about this particular WDP3A, 15519.

The home signal of Kumta was damaged, and every single train had to stop here, take the PLC (:Paper Line Clearance) from the Station Master, Kumta, and then LPs were officially asked to do the biggest crime they could commit, SPAD- Signal Passing At Danger.

By the way, being a fan of numbers, I always love the loco numbers which end with "19". 19 being my roll number since my class 1, I always had some soft corner for a loco with road number ending with "519", which was my roll number in Engineering.

15519- Check smile emotic.

I had taken the late running Matsyagandha upto Madgaon, and stayed overnight a a hotel at Madgaon.

Madgaon mornings are always beautiful, and I consider myself lucky for getting to experience one.

UBL WDP4B eclipsed KYN WDG4D, the powers of Mumbai/Dadar bound Mandovi and Janshatabdi respectively.

We departed Madgaon bang on time, and the UBL WDP4B #40016 was already into MAO yard to shunt the Mandovi Express.

Seen here is KYN WDG4D.

This happens to be my first decent capture of a WDG4D.

We had crossed KJM WDM3A powered Goa "The Super" Express at an intermediate station (it was waiting for us), and Amaravathi, the Matsyakanya, which connects Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal unflured her wings, to make us reach Qulem before time. We got bankers at Qulem, with an extended halt of 25 minutes at the same place.

Amaravathi then ascended the mighty Braganza Ghats, and everyone were glued to the doors, including me.

All my prayers came true, it was not raining when we passed Dudhsagar view point. But half of the waterfall was covered with a thick cloud, and then I didn't focus the image well.

*snap*
*failed*

Leaves Camera to rest on the strap and I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse of the mighty Mandovi river jumping a little over 1,000 ft.

After passing Dudhsagar, I enjoyed the journey, which could be my last in this year. I kept my camera aside for sometime and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

It was after Tornagallu, I took out the camera to shoot this brilliant scene, capturing all 58 fully loaded wagons with GY WDG4 twins- a conventional freight cannot get better.

And the WDG4 duos are ready to pull this load of BOXN wagons full of coal, most of which will be burnt and converted to electricity in coming week at the Bellary Thermal Power Station.

Slip coaches had a leisure 5 hour break at Guntakal.

This brand new unallocated WDG4 was the prime attraction of the day.

Vishnu and Kumar came to meet me at GTL. For better part of those 5 hours, many topics, all about IR, were thrown into mix.

Kumar was kind enough to take me to a nearby hotel and I had delicious set of Set Dosas too.

The last photo of the trip, clicked just before going out to eat Dosas.

Yeswantpur-Jaipur Premium Express pulls into Guntakal.

Hyderabad Metro Rail.

I got a chance to visit a terrace just near Hyderabad Metro Rail's Stadium Station and I managed to couple of images of Hyderabad Metro Rail, which is being thoroughly tested.

Nagole bound service slows down after getting down a massive gradient as it enters Stadium station.

Hyderabad Metro Rail trail service slows down to halt at Stadium station as the structure's name after which the station was named patiently remains empty for BCCI to decide the next game it has to host.

Ferroequinology

It's a community, where people have discussions about the railway system in a particular place. Most of them, in the communities I'm associated with, are obsessed with photographing the trains. Say if a train starts its journey with a locomotive of different livery and someone spots it at one city of its origination, he simply updates it in a WhatsApp group and a Facebook group, which slowly spreads among the people living in the cities where the train goes, and these people will go to some picturesque locations to click the train or make a video of the train. There are few annual meetings of communities, where rail enthusiasts from various parts of country meet in a place, share their experiences. Sometimes they fly down from other countries as well. We people form groups and travel to different places, mostly confined to railway tracks no matter how far we go. 

Primo Supremo.

Capital bound Rajdhani rushing with LGD WAP 7 amidst summer rains.

Makali Unelectrified: Munirabad Mahabubnagar Line Beauty.

In my recent road trip to Koppal, I observed the new line being constructed right near my village, and it did remind me of the Makalidurga Ghat section, which is considered to be aesthetically spoiled after electrification.

I've managed to click a few snaps from motorable road, and just imagine the beauty of this section once someone treks.

Trains ready to rule this section is coming five to ten years.