Doubling Updates:
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Tumakuru - Arsikere.
- The work after TK station till Heggere showed no sign of any change.
- After Heggere I could make out that track laying has begun with some gaps...
more...

till Mallasandra.
- Many stations are being renovated.
- All the dark pics are of this section. Try as I might but still taking pics in the dark was of no use.
But I did keep going to the door and kept opening and peeping into the dark on both the sides much to the chagrin of others who were lying down near the doors.
- Nothing really seems to have changed since the last time I saw /blog/post/2818081
- The target for last year was RDI to ASK. That target was missed due to rails issue. Now again there seems to be no movement. The ballast packing at some places seems complete. But still no sign of signals. Some gaps in track laying still remain like near LCs. I did notice at one place some battery boxes for signals.
- In one pic you can see the FoB at Tiptur is completed as compared to the older post, but still the PF construction is going on.
- At ASK there are now 3 bridges just before the station. Again dark, so couldn't say if that is the new one I saw last time being built.
- Overall, its like "will they ever complete?"
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Chikkajajur - Tholahunse.
- This target was missed last year again cooking the "no rails" story.
- This year I tried to see as much as possible, but could make out little bit only on my side as the other side I couldn't see, as people refused to let me open the door to peep out :)
- On my side I saw - rails were placed on either side (inside) of the newly laid rails. I didn't understand why new rails are placed , when the old laid rails itself is yet to be commissioned. These rails were shining like they had been freshly coated with that anti-rust brownish-yellow coating.
- No signals or signs of the battery boxes.
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Kudachi - Belagavi.
- Electrification work has started at some places - /blog/post/3539096
- Land levelling is completed at most parts, and some construction of bridges is going on.
- The brighter pics are of this section.
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Travel by the YPR - PVR Special train.
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- I had made last minute plans to travel and chose the PVR special train to travel by UR thinking that it will be empty. After reaching YPR, I went to the rear GEN to board, but no seats were available at 5 PM itself. Then slowly made my way to the front after noting the CC, here too it was filling up but thankfully I got a seat. By the time it started, it was full with long distance travellers as well as office goers going back to TK.
- This is a popular train despite the fact it is a weekly special, which I thought many wouldn't know. But the GEN travellers know each and every train and also the fact that this train they charge 15 rs extra - called SF charges, though this is not a SF.
- The train gets least priority and got looped for freights too, but does good speed owing to lesser halts and a lot of slack.
- The reserved classes too had good rush, showing the desperate need for a train on this route with just RC taking the entire load. And while returning too got a very good response for both reserved and UR especially at BGM and UBL.
Some pics of the crowd waiting to board at DWR, UBL is attached. Even GPB, KUD too had many takers , but sadly those 2 halts are removed from July.
- Once this is converted to weekly from July, then bookings will be very good with no extra charges to pay and new halts like at Haveri and Harihara.
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Best parts of the journey :
- was the run from DVG to UBL outer. It did the distance in 2 Hrs flat with 3 crossings for RC, GG and a freight, which all took some 20 minutes. Then at UBL outer took a 10 mins halt then they allowed it in. Probably were not happy at the early arrival :)
- the OT of RC at UBL while returning. That train for some unknown reason was detained at UBL to allow this late runner to OT. This could have followed RC all the way till YPR, but weirdly they allowed the OT. This arrived before time at YPR.
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Worst part :
- At UBL it arrived at around 2:45, 15 mins before time. Then left at around 3:45 - 40 mins late, as they had not arranged a new loco to replace the one which was hauling, which had some problem.
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Hope they add GEN coaches atleast for the YPR - PVR weekly part, since the KSK part has to haul parcel vans.
PC was not open but still attached.
The reason PC is not removed is maybe - the time needed to shunt on Sat to attach back the PC in the middle of the rake and then do PM before departure at 1: 45 as KSK is too tight a schedule after it arrives from PVR, so they have left the PC as it is.
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