Ever since I started visiting Secunderabad Railway Station solely for the purpose of watching the trains, one train in particular was attracting me like no other one. Every time I got a chance to travel in train- I saw if that particular train is having halt at my destination. If so, check the availability. If it is available, book the ticket.
But somehow, the travel in that train was postponed. In April, I had to give up my travel when each and everyone in my family traveled. It was a different feel. I was let all alone at home- which itself is a punishment and traveling in my favorite train means its just adding three mangoes red chilli powder onto the injury. I had to digest everything- but nevertheless, I had belief in god. Someday of the other, he would make me travel in that train.
Yes, no prizes for guessing that train- its none other than the 22691/22692 and 22693/22694 Bangalore City-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Bangalore City Rajdhani Express.
The train had Kazipet ALCo when I actually had built crush on this train, later, it underwent a locomotive link change- from Kazipet WDM3A to its home shed- Krishnarajapuram WDP4, which happens to be my favorite locomotive class. The roar of the loco inspired me a lot, not only in railway minded me, but also in my personal life. Yes, it was indeed a sweet surprise on the occasion of birthday celebration of Andhra Pradesh Express and Gouthami Express, as Bangalore City bound Rajdhani went past Vidyanagar with Krishnarajapuram WDP4B 40016.
The fire in me was very high that I should travel in it. Yes, my co railnuts started turning anti Rajdhani and anti EMD due to the fact that Rajdhani with an EMD was not running punctually because EMD doesn't have good acceleration. "Doesn't matter, Rajdhani with EMD is perfect combination and it will do good once the section controllers give good preference." I thought and waited and waited for the perfect moment. I started collecting money by skipping my evening snacks so that I could afford to travel by not giving extra expenses at my home. And finally- I was granted a green signal for my journey to Chennai-Bengaluru and Tiruchchirappalli.
Initially I booked via Chennai, which meant I didn't have any Rajdhani run. But considering that I was going to get a 89 made SR coach in 12604 Hyderabad-Chennai Central Super fast Express, I re considered my decision and changed the trip. So, the trip was something like this: Kacheguda to Bangalore in 12785, Bangalore to Tiruchchirappalli and back in Mysore-Mailaduturai Express, Bangalore to Nellore in Sanghamitra Express and Nellore to Secunderabad in Charminar Express and in the process, tickets were confirmed. Excepting the 12785, rest all were having confirmed tickets whereas 12785 had RAC22. Later, one of the hardcore critics of EMD- Murthy, suggested me to go for Rajdhani as it was getting an EMD and it was my favorite train. I check the status and it was RAC6. I used the money I collected to book.
The race between RAC 22 and RAC 6 was a neck to neck one. Having booked tickets almost one and half month prior to my journey, I almost left the hopes of Rajdhani ticket being confirmed- with the effect of Anil's leg pulling. On eve of my last examination- both of the tickets confirmed which allowed me to study with no tensions of tickets being confirmed. Without a second thought- I canceled my 12785 ticket, reducing the tensions of passengers with RAC 1 and WL1- allowing them to have confirmed berth and travel confirmed, respectively.
I eagerly awaited my journey date and the time was ticking very slowly. And the possibility of last exam being postponed was also ruled out as a "ten district Telangana was announced". After the exam finished, the tension of "What would be the next paper" was totally out of my mind which allowed me to completely focus on the journey. The excitement touched to the peaks when co railfans Murthy, Surya, Vamsi, Vamsee and Dheeraj confirmed their presence at Secunderabad at the time of me boarding the train.
I started from home at 17:00 hours, Auto via Osmania University made sure I was at Platform 10 by 17:30. I met Murthy, Vamsi and Surya, who were at Pf 10 as well. I was hungry, as I skipped my lunch in the excitement.We all went to irctc food plaza and I had pooris, my favorite dish at that restaurant. Dheeraj joined us and he left because he had some work.
I knew this would happen and yes- looking at my appearance- especially the suitcase I had to carry for personal reasons, these people started teasing me. They kept some name "Kumara Mangalam Birla" which was too funny. Murthy was in full notch, pulling my leg by criticizing EMDs and SBC Rajdhani, which recently got overtook by Raptisagar Express at Peddapalli. As usual- my defense started in offensive note as I started criticizing his favorite train Gouthami Express. And in between Vamsi's favorite train Vishaka and Surya's favorite train Godavari Express was also into the fights ending up the total platform 10 into a war field- fighting for our favorite trains.
In the meantime- Vamsee Teja gave an appearance. And no sooner he arrived, his favorite train Sathavahana was on the radar for criticism and leg pulling was in top notch by the time the train in which I had to travel arrived. The customary WAP7 from Lallaguda 30289 pulled the Rajdhani from Hazrat Nizamuddin and the link which I was supposed to get was WDP4 homed at Krishnarajapuram- 20062.
As soon as the train started entering the platform, the goosebumps were at top notch. I felt like everyone around me were clapping as if Rahul Dravid was walking into pavilion after scoring a century at Lords. I felt like crowd cheer the train as soon as it honks just like the way they cheer the moment Sachin used to hit his hundredth run. But in reality- the situation was quite opposite. Murthy was criticizing the train like never before and the others were laughing at it as if it was some passenger train entering with a huge delay.
As soon as the train stopped, I put my luggage at my allotted berth. And we had fair amount of pictures clicked clicked and finally, as soon as the train got starter- Murthy's spoke out "Anyways, its your favorite train- with favorite class locomotive. Enjoy." which made my day! But no sooner he spoke those words- the starter which turned amber was put back to danger.
Again, after ten minutes of drama and leg pulling game, finally we were given amber, and this time, our loco pilot didn't delay pulling the Rajdhani. EMD doesn't have good acceleration and in addition to that- there are numerous PSRs and no one knows the situation after Begumpet as we may be trailing an MMTS. In case MMTS is right ahead, who knows we may stop at no mans land. But thankfully, while entering Begumpet, I found an MMTS waiting to enter Begumpet which meant there was nothing we were actually trailing.
I went to the door and saw all the MMTS stations being blasted at 90 KMPH flat. Full proceed though out the line and finally, we decelerated to the speed restriction at Hafeezpet. And after Lingampalli- the WDP4 showed what it is capable of as it accelerated madly to 110 KMPH in no time. The biting cold, with swollen fingertips. EMD roaring and honking- and cruising at full throttle amidst fog- yes it was something I was waiting for. The WDP4 20062 has deadly LHF honks and whenever the W/L board appeared, twintone ensured I was getting ample amount of deadly honk. Yes, this was the journey I was blessed to do- not under hot air in April or amidst rain in August 2012 with a Kazipet WDM3A pulling me. I understood it and enjoyed every bit of it as I knew- this was the journey I was awaiting since long time.
We made an unscheduled halt at Vikarabad for close to fifteen minutes which was followed by a twenty minute halt at Sedam. This was definitely not the way Rajdhani must be treated. Unscheduled halt for few seconds can be somehow accepted but halts for fifteen minutes where there was no halt and a 2 minute halt getting 8 minutes extra halt was something seriously wrong. I was served with dinner- rice with carrots, two rotis, green leafy dal and mutter paneer with curd. They were tasty and I was very lucky to get this kind of food as many got worst food whenever they traveled in Rajdhani. Yes, I must accept, the quantity was less but taste was unbeatable. Soft but fat rotis and piping hot mutter paneer was undoubtedly the best among the served ones and the Green Leafy dal was totally unexpected dish. After having dinner, I slept in my designated middle berth.
Next day morning, I woke up at Someshwara- where the train was doing a very good speed. Yes, I understood that my train had entered South Western Railway division and it would be treated like king throughout till Bangalore City. And they didn't let me expectations down expect for once as my train never looked back for anything until made an unscheduled halt at Yesvantpur outer. We slowed down at Makali for a speed restriction and we skipped Rajankunte at high speed. Yelahanka was also skipped and finally we came to halt at Yesvantpur outer.
Yes, we were running late by almost close to an hour- yes, it all started off due to the delay in the start at Secunderabad, unscheduled halt at Vikarabad and extended halt at Sedam. We were running late by 45 minutes by the time I slept with aggressive schedule of Rajdhani taking the longer route, and keeping the further delay to ten minutes was a very good job by the loco pilots. Finally, we skipped Yesvantpur at 20 KMPH and Malleshwaram at almost 60 KMPH. I waved Santhosh Kumar, Natarajan and Ambrish- and we entered SBC with a good delay of 50 minutes. Sai Venkat and his friend were at Bangalore.
Yes, delayed by 50 minutes isn't something what I'd have wished for, but it gave me nice glimpse of Makalidurga. It was a special journey of mine and I will never forget the journey for ever in my life time.
But somehow, the travel in that train was postponed. In April, I had to give up my travel when each and everyone in my family traveled. It was a different feel. I was let all alone at home- which itself is a punishment and traveling in my favorite train means its just adding three mangoes red chilli powder onto the injury. I had to digest everything- but nevertheless, I had belief in god. Someday of the other, he would make me travel in that train.
Yes, no prizes for guessing that train- its none other than the 22691/22692 and 22693/22694 Bangalore City-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Bangalore City Rajdhani Express.
 |
| I had to wait three years and two months to travel in this beauty, which underwent both change in coaches and locomotive type since when I first saw it. |
The fire in me was very high that I should travel in it. Yes, my co railnuts started turning anti Rajdhani and anti EMD due to the fact that Rajdhani with an EMD was not running punctually because EMD doesn't have good acceleration. "Doesn't matter, Rajdhani with EMD is perfect combination and it will do good once the section controllers give good preference." I thought and waited and waited for the perfect moment. I started collecting money by skipping my evening snacks so that I could afford to travel by not giving extra expenses at my home. And finally- I was granted a green signal for my journey to Chennai-Bengaluru and Tiruchchirappalli.
Initially I booked via Chennai, which meant I didn't have any Rajdhani run. But considering that I was going to get a 89 made SR coach in 12604 Hyderabad-Chennai Central Super fast Express, I re considered my decision and changed the trip. So, the trip was something like this: Kacheguda to Bangalore in 12785, Bangalore to Tiruchchirappalli and back in Mysore-Mailaduturai Express, Bangalore to Nellore in Sanghamitra Express and Nellore to Secunderabad in Charminar Express and in the process, tickets were confirmed. Excepting the 12785, rest all were having confirmed tickets whereas 12785 had RAC22. Later, one of the hardcore critics of EMD- Murthy, suggested me to go for Rajdhani as it was getting an EMD and it was my favorite train. I check the status and it was RAC6. I used the money I collected to book.
The race between RAC 22 and RAC 6 was a neck to neck one. Having booked tickets almost one and half month prior to my journey, I almost left the hopes of Rajdhani ticket being confirmed- with the effect of Anil's leg pulling. On eve of my last examination- both of the tickets confirmed which allowed me to study with no tensions of tickets being confirmed. Without a second thought- I canceled my 12785 ticket, reducing the tensions of passengers with RAC 1 and WL1- allowing them to have confirmed berth and travel confirmed, respectively.
I eagerly awaited my journey date and the time was ticking very slowly. And the possibility of last exam being postponed was also ruled out as a "ten district Telangana was announced". After the exam finished, the tension of "What would be the next paper" was totally out of my mind which allowed me to completely focus on the journey. The excitement touched to the peaks when co railfans Murthy, Surya, Vamsi, Vamsee and Dheeraj confirmed their presence at Secunderabad at the time of me boarding the train.
I started from home at 17:00 hours, Auto via Osmania University made sure I was at Platform 10 by 17:30. I met Murthy, Vamsi and Surya, who were at Pf 10 as well. I was hungry, as I skipped my lunch in the excitement.We all went to irctc food plaza and I had pooris, my favorite dish at that restaurant. Dheeraj joined us and he left because he had some work.
I knew this would happen and yes- looking at my appearance- especially the suitcase I had to carry for personal reasons, these people started teasing me. They kept some name "Kumara Mangalam Birla" which was too funny. Murthy was in full notch, pulling my leg by criticizing EMDs and SBC Rajdhani, which recently got overtook by Raptisagar Express at Peddapalli. As usual- my defense started in offensive note as I started criticizing his favorite train Gouthami Express. And in between Vamsi's favorite train Vishaka and Surya's favorite train Godavari Express was also into the fights ending up the total platform 10 into a war field- fighting for our favorite trains.
In the meantime- Vamsee Teja gave an appearance. And no sooner he arrived, his favorite train Sathavahana was on the radar for criticism and leg pulling was in top notch by the time the train in which I had to travel arrived. The customary WAP7 from Lallaguda 30289 pulled the Rajdhani from Hazrat Nizamuddin and the link which I was supposed to get was WDP4 homed at Krishnarajapuram- 20062.
As soon as the train started entering the platform, the goosebumps were at top notch. I felt like everyone around me were clapping as if Rahul Dravid was walking into pavilion after scoring a century at Lords. I felt like crowd cheer the train as soon as it honks just like the way they cheer the moment Sachin used to hit his hundredth run. But in reality- the situation was quite opposite. Murthy was criticizing the train like never before and the others were laughing at it as if it was some passenger train entering with a huge delay.
As soon as the train stopped, I put my luggage at my allotted berth. And we had fair amount of pictures clicked clicked and finally, as soon as the train got starter- Murthy's spoke out "Anyways, its your favorite train- with favorite class locomotive. Enjoy." which made my day! But no sooner he spoke those words- the starter which turned amber was put back to danger.
Again, after ten minutes of drama and leg pulling game, finally we were given amber, and this time, our loco pilot didn't delay pulling the Rajdhani. EMD doesn't have good acceleration and in addition to that- there are numerous PSRs and no one knows the situation after Begumpet as we may be trailing an MMTS. In case MMTS is right ahead, who knows we may stop at no mans land. But thankfully, while entering Begumpet, I found an MMTS waiting to enter Begumpet which meant there was nothing we were actually trailing.
I went to the door and saw all the MMTS stations being blasted at 90 KMPH flat. Full proceed though out the line and finally, we decelerated to the speed restriction at Hafeezpet. And after Lingampalli- the WDP4 showed what it is capable of as it accelerated madly to 110 KMPH in no time. The biting cold, with swollen fingertips. EMD roaring and honking- and cruising at full throttle amidst fog- yes it was something I was waiting for. The WDP4 20062 has deadly LHF honks and whenever the W/L board appeared, twintone ensured I was getting ample amount of deadly honk. Yes, this was the journey I was blessed to do- not under hot air in April or amidst rain in August 2012 with a Kazipet WDM3A pulling me. I understood it and enjoyed every bit of it as I knew- this was the journey I was awaiting since long time.
We made an unscheduled halt at Vikarabad for close to fifteen minutes which was followed by a twenty minute halt at Sedam. This was definitely not the way Rajdhani must be treated. Unscheduled halt for few seconds can be somehow accepted but halts for fifteen minutes where there was no halt and a 2 minute halt getting 8 minutes extra halt was something seriously wrong. I was served with dinner- rice with carrots, two rotis, green leafy dal and mutter paneer with curd. They were tasty and I was very lucky to get this kind of food as many got worst food whenever they traveled in Rajdhani. Yes, I must accept, the quantity was less but taste was unbeatable. Soft but fat rotis and piping hot mutter paneer was undoubtedly the best among the served ones and the Green Leafy dal was totally unexpected dish. After having dinner, I slept in my designated middle berth.
Next day morning, I woke up at Someshwara- where the train was doing a very good speed. Yes, I understood that my train had entered South Western Railway division and it would be treated like king throughout till Bangalore City. And they didn't let me expectations down expect for once as my train never looked back for anything until made an unscheduled halt at Yesvantpur outer. We slowed down at Makali for a speed restriction and we skipped Rajankunte at high speed. Yelahanka was also skipped and finally we came to halt at Yesvantpur outer.
Yes, we were running late by almost close to an hour- yes, it all started off due to the delay in the start at Secunderabad, unscheduled halt at Vikarabad and extended halt at Sedam. We were running late by 45 minutes by the time I slept with aggressive schedule of Rajdhani taking the longer route, and keeping the further delay to ten minutes was a very good job by the loco pilots. Finally, we skipped Yesvantpur at 20 KMPH and Malleshwaram at almost 60 KMPH. I waved Santhosh Kumar, Natarajan and Ambrish- and we entered SBC with a good delay of 50 minutes. Sai Venkat and his friend were at Bangalore.
Yes, delayed by 50 minutes isn't something what I'd have wished for, but it gave me nice glimpse of Makalidurga. It was a special journey of mine and I will never forget the journey for ever in my life time.
Nice! :)
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