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.