Saturday, June 28, 2014

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.

 Hit on this for high definition picture.
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.

Friday, June 13, 2014

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!


Monday, May 26, 2014

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.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Idly Sambhar

Idly Sambhar might just mean a tiffin for normal people. But for a Railfan, it is the train originating/terminating/being Maintained at Chennai Central. Needless to mention. for the Hyderabadi Railfans, 12604 Hyderabad- Chennai Central is a Idly Sambhar.

Gooty WDP4D #40150 clears Ghatkesar Gradients with Home bound Idly Sambhar in tow.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Rajdhani!

Here it is- the Majestic Primo Supremo of SWR- 22693 Bangalore City-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express negotiating a curve at Airport approach road over bridge.
Primo Supremo is Here!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Kacheguda-Tirupathi Double Decker Express

SCR introduces a new bi weekly Double Decker Express train between Kacheguda and Tirupathi. It starts Kacheguda at 06:45 AM on every Wednesdays and Saturdays. In return direction, it starts from Torupathi at 05:45 AM on every Thursdays and Sundays. It runs at average speed of 55 KMPH.

It got flagged off today at Kacheguda, with WDP4D #40104 doing the honors. It has rake sharing arrangement with Kacheguda-Guntur Double Decker Express.

GY WDP4D #40104 pulls the first ever  double decker service between Kacheguda and Tirupathi on its inaugural run. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rajdhani.

Almost all my mornings are beautiful.

They are much more beautiful if I happen to start it at Vidyanagar railway station with my favorite train buzzing past me.

Notification on facebook amidst Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore match- offlink Krishnarajapuram WDM3A with Hazrat Nizamuddin Bound Rajdhani. Video also posted.

Call to Sany20005. Yes I get voice confirmation.

I make up my plan for the next day- go to Vidyanagar with my new camera to click the special moment.

And I await the special moment, with AniGraju.

Scares of Karnataka Sampark Kranthi bound for Yesvantpur obstructing the view are not distant.

SriVenky's words recollected "Don't do Epic Fail".

Got into position- Kacheguda station building and Charminar clearly visible.

Karnataka Sampark Kranthi goes away- yes now nothing should obstruct me.

I see a blue loco entering Kacheguda. I confirm- its Rajdhani.

Waits, waits and waits.

*click*

Picture perfect.

KJM WDM3A #18599 graciously ignores Kacheguda Railway Station and Charminar and proceeds to Secunderabad.