Early morning at Tirunelveli...
On a family tour to Tirunelveli and nearby regions, we had checked into a hotel approx. 700 mts from Tirunelveli Junction and the urge to spot trains was at its peak given that, I hadn't set my foot in Tirunelveli before... So I just set out on a walk to Tirunelveli Junction Railway station,which was sort of Busy at the time when I went.. One of the first things to attract me was the very sight of a Toaster, GOC WDP3A #15504 on PF4, coupled to the 56761 TCN pax, scheduled to leave in about 20 minutes.. But the loco wasn't fired up yet.. After treating my eyes from various angles on the Toaster, I proceeded to...
more... platform 5, where 2 Passenger trains were sitting back to back on the same track.. The first one with ED WDM3D #11107 was ready to leave to Nagercoil and right behind it was 56801 to SCT with GOC WDG3A #14667 (Ex ED) attached to it.. As soon as I had started looking at the newly (rather pathetically) repainted 14667, 11107 set out its horn and TEN NCJ Pax departed.. In search for some more diesels, I stumbled upon ERS WDG3A #14614 (Ex ED) which probably brought in Palaruvi and a GOC WDG3A #13163 both resting.. Next up was TEN TN Pax with ED WDM3D #11193 coupled to it on PF3.. Right adjacent to it was the 22630 TEN DR SF with ED 4D #40441 Coupled to it.. 12631 Nellai was received at PF 1, behind RPM WAP7 #39000..
I had a long desire to spot an ALCo startup and guess what, my first such a spotting was of that Toaster for the TCN Pax... Such a glorious sight to see a toaster waking up and flexing it's muscles to set out on a leisurely journey to TCN.. 14667 was fired up almost immediately too though I didn't pay much attention as I was lost in the toaster's idling sounds.. 13 minutes after the startup, 15504 let out its TM Melody and set out to TCN, and 56801 was moved to the forward portion of PF 5.. Around 10 minutes after the departure of TCN Pax, The SCT one Departed too.. 22630 was next in line and I headed straight to witness the glorious humming of the EMD Beast.. 40441 didn't disappoint me.. With a majestic EMD horn and Boeing-like sounds departed the TEN DR SF on a long, beautiful journey to Mumbai..
It had been around an hour since I'd woke up, and was definitely one of the most eventful Mornings I'd ever had... I left back to our room after a cup of piping hot tea and some golden memories..
Hope you enjoyed this report.. :)