Part - 4 : cruising through the suburbs of chennai.
.
For those who have not read
Part - 1 : /blog/post/5963414
Part - 2 : /blog/post/5963946
Part...
more...

- 3 : /blog/post/5965012
.
Gave a customary jerk, indicating departure, but this time at less than 5 minutes of its arrival at Villupuram, which was quite surprising since trains which comes from mayiladuthurai side takes a longer halt at Villupuram. Steadily crossed the loops to join the main line as the line towards thiruvannamalai diverge towards the left by making a curve. Now that we have entered the chennai division, double line with a higher MPS compared to the previous single line route, momentarily gains the speed. Within few minutes that, a WAP 7 with Shriram ads was towing an LHB rake full of Shriram ads. Yes, it is one of the prestigious train of the delta Tamilnadu, the Cholan superfast express, that went past us towards Villupuram from state capital in a good speed. As we touch maximum permissible speed at mundilyampakkam, we maintain in the same speed, cross puduvai bound memu from tirupati at mailam. We considerably slow down as we approach thindivanam and skipped the same at a decent pace, accelerating further after this.
.
Was able to witness the gradual change in landscape from plain farmlands to small hammocks among the farmlands indicates a touch of eastern ghats, and we crossing them at a maximum speed. The weather was also pretty soothing. Felt a momentary deceleration as we approach melmaruvathur, cruised through the same at a good pace. Remember passing through melmaruvathur at maximum speed once upon a time, now that I believe a speed restriction has been implied for the same. "Dhadak dhadak" after passing through the limits of melmaruvathur, momentarily attained the maximum permissible speed. Immediately after attaining, some random WAP 4 was towing the guruvayur bound express from chennai, crossed us at a maximum permissible speed, maintaing the relative velocity of 220 kmph between both of us. The rattling of winds, ICF and LHB track sounds, created quite a scene for this crossing.
.
As we traverse through the mixed landscapes and that the track, negotiating with significant amount of curves and some were big as well and our train negotiating it was a visual treat to eyes. It was not even 11 am at that particular time, when random vendors from the pantry car with their box started appearing and in a melodical voice, started singing - "veg biryani, ande biryani", khanavli veg khana". Was wondering that within afternoon that they started selling lunch.
.
Again from the set of small hammocks among the farmlands, the landscape changed to city - like, indicating that any time now we could arrive at chengalpattu and slowing down gradually, confirmed it. We did not loop but still we decelerating a lot was quite surprising as train used to skip chengalpattu at 50 - 60 kmph, and our train now is passing through at only 15 kmph. Was able to see two rakes of Kacheguda - chengalpattu - kakinada port RSA, one attached with tughlakabad diesel WAP 4 at platform 8, and one with vijayawada wap 4 at platform 3, the rake of nellai express sleeping with some WAP 7 in helm. Reckoning that it must come to a halt anytime now, but for my surprise it kept passing through with the same speed till kolavai lake. So, it must be a matter of speed restriction. As of now we covered a distance of 103 kms in just 1hr 8mts, at an average of 91 kmph, ending up 14 mts early from 14 mts late.
.
The sky reflects at a huge kolavai lake, and witnessing knolls surrounding the same, and some boats traversing through it, a hint of sunlight showing up at a winter afternoon, and we start to accelerate once a chengalpattu bound emu in opposite direction slowed down and blocked this beautiful view. Now that we entered the unofficial limits of national capital, though then and there one can see small hammocks, but city landscapes take an upper hand henceforth. But anyways, traversing at maximum speed among the busy suburbs of a city also gives a wonderful visual treat, and i personally like this as well. As we cruise the center most line in the triple line section from chengalpattu to Tambaram at a maximum speed, I was not able to see the left side, having my focus to just right side as of now. One of the longest distance travelling humsafar, the only train that connects region of interior Punjab and Rajasthan to Capital and interior of tamilnadu down south, and again that it was hauled by some random WAG 9 from kazipet shed till Tiruchirapalli, crossed us at sundaraperumal Kovil at a decent speed.
.
After crossing urappakam, my eyes started searching for the new bus stand constructed for chennai, which is not at chennai city limits at the first place and 40 kms from the city center. The construction was very beautiful and yes, could get a glimpse of it. As road came close to us, many buses occupying the nearby road, it was evident that now we are cruising through perungalathur and indicating that anytime now that we would cross Tambaram. Decelerating significantly to 50 kmph, was skipping Tambaram through platform - 5, and one could see the WAP - 7 adorned with tamilnadu tourism ads, numbered 39123 was getting coupled with charminar express, that is to depart towards hyderabad nampally after 5 hours, and an NMG rake sleeping adjacent to us at the left. Momentarily we gained speed as we pass through tambaram, and coaches with weird combination (goods caboose with LHB Coaches) were shunted to Tambaram siding.
.
Started cruising at a mad speed and attained maximum speed of the section in no time. Was able to see some NWR based full ICF rake taking a deep sleep at pallavaram, and as we cross chennai airport, a flight was taking off parallel to us and a metro is departing towards alandur, was a visual treat for us travel fans to see it. And if one gets to see the other side, we would be traversing close to a couple of knoll, a visual treat to nature lovers. In a matter of few minutes, could feel a gradual deceleration to 30 kmph, and on the left side, there was a big metro station, indicating that we arrived at parangimalai. EMUs kept crossing us then and there once we departed Tambaram. For some distance till saidai that we maintained this speed, and then momentarily accelerated and skipped mambalam in maximum speed, untill we came to a brief halt on 1229 hours at chetpet. As of now, we have travelled 157 kms at just 1h 55 mins from Villupuram at an average speed of 82 kmph.
.
Halted here for one sixth of an hour, for platform clearence and we start moving towards my destination, chennai egmore, with a sound identical to that of left - right - left in March past - "thud, thud, thud", and slowly arriving at platform 6. Couple of WAP 4 went past us towards platform 2 side, and sapthagiri liveried WAP 4 was taking a deep sleep with the rake of ananthapuri express, the master blaster Vaigai express was getting prepared to sprint from platform 4 with 39125 wap 7, and a kazipeth based WAG 9, in helm of kanniyakumari bound special from chennai egmore that is being operated by the rake of thirukkural express.
.
For the third time this day that I am getting to see a kazipet bound wag 9, hauling a passenger train. We arrive early in Chennai Egmore by 6 minutes, at 1244 hrs, duly completing the journey of 351 kms at 5 hrs 58 mts, at an average speed of 59 kmph. Very much impressive run overall twas, given the troll at the initial 70 kms.
.
Chose this train for two reasons. One, that it is having 3AC and is a direct intercity option with a better timings. Secondly, it has very less halts in the mainline (single line section), against the other trains having so many halts, halting for 20 kms once on an average, badly wanting to enjoy a high speed run. Yes, did not get disappointed in both these regards.
.
Thanks for reading this Patiently. Hope this entire trip review was good. Kindly let me know if there is scope for improvement.

Part - 3 : Monstrous run by WAP - 7!
.
For those who have not read
Part - 1 : /blog/post/5963414
Part - 2 : /blog/post/5963946
....
more...

As we bid adieu for the Villupuram - mayavaram passenger that was looped at platform - 2 of vaithiswaran kovil, we steadily accelerated and attained a decent speed till our train skipped sirkazhi. There still exists a speed restriction for trains that doesn't stop at sirkazhi. The white stallion accelerates further to touch the maximum permissible speed, and kollidam station came at no time, indicating that we would be crossing kollidam river, which is the longest in this single line section. This time, i shifted to the left side window of my bay, which was still not occupied, to get a better view of the road bridge that passes kind of near to the railway bridge and it is exciting to witness the overtake of buses and other road vehicles.
.
There was no sign of deceleration, and "dhadak dhadak, dhadak dhadak sound started coming as we skipped past kollidam bridge at maximum speed, overtaking the buses that is passing in the adjacent bridge, and making entry into cuddalore district. Yes, that bridge marks the district border between mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts. Went back to the track sided side lower again, which remained vacant till my destination as per TTE. We continued at MPS after entering the Cuddalore district, and the backdrop of farmlands were slowly replaced by buildings and houses, indicating that we will be crossing chidambaram anytime now.
.
This is such an important and holy place that no other train plying in this route skips chidambaram as of now. There was no intention to decrease the pace, and the sound at the track switching point when your train travels at a higher speeds - "dhadak dhadak datrrr" followed by "thad thad" sounds, the green flag exchange between the loco pilot and the railway staff and a wave of dust that appeared from platform 2 and the tracks, was creating quite a scene for people outside the train around chidambaram railway station area. Could see the wonder in their faces that which train was skipping their place in such a speed. It was such a show put up by the white stallion, which was towing our train, and for the passengers inside the train, it was quite a good show.
.
Within some time that, the landscape was again replaced by farmlands, but in addition some canals were also traversing between them and some water bodies, and the train, now reduces it's pace a little to negotiate the beautiful curves among the farmlands and water bodies. After a while, could see a power plant like thing at a distance and railway track starts appearing, which amalgates with our track at puduchatram, where at loop line, a katni based WAG 9 was taking a nap with a freight rake. Started decelerating once we arrived at the vicinity of Cuddalore port junction, to 90 kmph, and to 70 kmph, negotiating series of beautiful curves, went to nostalgia of diesel days for a second. Maintained the same speed till the home of tiruppadrippuliyur and steadily came to a halt at the mainline platform, i.e, platform - 2 at 0949 hrs. Since the momentary halt at vaithiswaran kovil till now, it took just 44 minutes for the distance of 65 kms in a single line section, with an average of 87 kmph. There was good boarding at this station.
.
Started moving slowly as we halted for less than 120 seconds, and started picking up speed only after crossing gedilam river, touched MPS in a short while. Again our train slowing down a bit after 15 minutes of its departure at Cuddalore and picked up speed after negotiating the long curve, duly skipping panruti station which is constructed along the curvature of tracks. Maintained the maximum speed from then till a double electrified like started appearing at the left side of the train and started approaching towards end, indicating that we have approached Villupuram. Cleared lot of loops after slowing down gradually, was able to see kazipet based WAG - 9 hauled train at platform - 5, taking a small nap at Villupuram junction. Yes, it was Nagercoil bound special from tambaram that is operated using the rake of Nagercoil Kacheguda express. We enter at the platform - 1 at 10:29 hrs, taking just 39 minutes for last 42 kms at average of 65 kmph, ending up with a delay of just 14 mts against the delay of 1hr 11 mts previously.
.
It was a nice recovery run till now. Did we recover this small delay further or delay kept adding up?
.
See here - /blog/post/5965020

Part - 2 : Looping, looping and looping.
.
For those who have not read part - 1 : /blog/post/5963414
.
As I board the train and went to my berth to see that...
more...

my bay was still not changed into seats from berth and all were sleeping tight in my bay. I was not ready to sleep and wanted to enjoy the day journey in mainline after a very long time (could have been more than 3 years from now), went to a next bay where a track sided side lower and side upper remained unoccupied. As I occupy the side lower, felt a jerk customary for LHB rakes, indicating departure of our train that halted for less than 2 minutes here.
.
After clearing multiple points and entering the main line, the white stallion, which was towing our train for that day, accelerated quite well and attained MPS within we cross the city limits. Our train traversing through lush greenery in the orangish yellow early morning sunlight at full speed, was a visual treat for me. As I was enjoying this, our train crossed thittai, pandaravadai in no time and skipped papanasam in just 20 minutes after departing from Thanjavur. After few minutes of crossing papanasam, our train started decelerating steadily, and I realised that our train was looped at sundaraperumal kovil, only after our train was looped at platform 2. Reckoning that it was for crossing with Salem express from mayiladuthurai, checked it's running status at WIMT, and it deciphered that it has just crossed thiruvidaimarudhur by then, and this having around 5 halts before it reaches the crossing station where our train is looped, took its own time to arrive at platform - 1 with some random WAP - 4 in lead, which was around 20 minutes since we were halted for a crossing. Our train gave a customary jerk after this arrived, indicating the departure.
.
Once we cleared the line and picked up speed, crossed suburb station of Kumbakonam and our train gave a speedy entry at mainline platform of kumbakonam, and it was 2 minutes, 5 minutes and there was no signs of our train to take off from Kumbakonam. As I was sensing that it should be for the Thanjavur bound passenger from mayiladuthurai, and it made entry in a short while at platform 2 with an off link, a raipur based WAG - 7, with same locomotive that i spotted the same train a few days back. People deboarding that passenger train, being lazy enough to cross the platform through the foot over bridge, crossed through our train which halted in a double discharge platform. Just imagine the scenario if our train has immediately taken off from the mainline and double discharge platform immediately after arrival of Thanjavur passenger. Anyways, even after arrival of Thanjavur passenger, our train stopped for few more minutes before taking off, sensing that the crew understood this. So the 2 minute halt at Kumbakonam now extended easily to more than 5 minutes and due to a crossing, it took the time which is usually taken by a passenger train between Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
.
The train kept maintaing full speed, after our train sprinted from mainline platform at Kumbakonam steadily, skipping stations enroute at maximum speed, untill we slow down and slowly loop at platform 2 of kuthalam. This time, it was 0805 hrs at the morning. Reckoning that it should be the RSA of the same LHB train i witnessed in the morning when I entered the station, checked the WIMT for the running status. Still there was 5 more minutes for the same to depart from the source. So, realising that it should take 20 more minutes for this crossing, hopped down the train, strolled towards pantry car. They had two options for breakfast, either Pongal - sambhar or Upma with tomato sauce. I opted for the latter, which sounded quite weird, got it along with the water bottle and a snack platter, that contained a samosa, an aalu bhaji and dhal vada, and went back to my coach. Took some time to savour all the food i brought, except for the tomato sauce. After 20 minutes of halt, Erode diesel shed based brand new WAP -7 was strolling with the RSA of the LHB train i met early this morning when I went to the station, departing from platform - 3 of Thanjavur. After that train arrives, we get starter and our train was slowly making its way towards mayiladuthurai junction.
.
As we maintained a decent speed till mayiladuthurai outers, after which we decelerate steadily as enter the vicinity of the station and enter platform - 3 of mayiladuthurai junction at 0841 hours with a delay of more than an hour. As of now, it took 1hour 55 mts for just 70 kms, with an average speed of 37 kmph. Our train made a customary jerk just after a minute of halt, indicating departure. But, this time, after departing mayiladuthurai, our train accelerated steadily, but did not attain maximum speed. Meanwhile our train skipped ananthathandavapuram, and thereafter steadily decelerated and made an unscheduled halt at outers of vaithiswaran kovil. Wondering who is it this time, checked the running status of trains that's supposed to arrive mayiladuthurai. So, it was daily passenger from Villupuram to mayiladuthurai that is supposed to cross us this time, indicating that it departed sirkazhi.
At 0900hrs, after halting for 10 minutes, heard a shrill honk, indicating the take off of our train at mainline, and as we steadily accelerate through vaithiswaran kovil, we witnessed the erode based WAP 1, towing the daily passenger from Villupuram, was taking a small rest at platform 2 after sprinting quickly from sirkazhi.
.
For this leg of thanjavur to vaithiswaran kovil, for just 84 kms, it took 2h18m with an average of 38 kmph.
.
Did our train recover the delay in the remaining leg of the journey? Did any more crossings remain for us in the remaining leg of the single line? Stay tuned for the next part.
.
Thanks for reading this patiently.
.
Part - 3 : /blog/post/5965012

Part - 1 : Scenarios at early morning of Mondays at Thanjavur Jn.
.
It was a chill winter morning, and the sky was dark, left my place at 6 am for a train which is scheduled to depart Thanjavur Jn at 0610 hrs, anticipating that my train should arrive minimum by a delay of 20 minutes. The only fear I had was the link it is supposed to get from Tiruchirapalli Jn, reason being that this train is known for getting WAG - 9 as a link for majority of the distance...
more...

this train travels, and if it gets the same, the maximum speed will be restricted to 90kmph against the MPS of the route, cannot enjoy a superfast run with limited stoppages. And i had these experience quite few times previously on the same train. Anyways, not expecting much about the scenario at Thanjavur Jn at the busy morning hours, went with an open mind to the railway station through platform - 5 entrance, 5 minutes later than the scheduled departure of my train.
.
By the time i reached, I could see some LHB train already departing from platform - 3, towards mayiladuthurai side. Though the train in which I am supposed to travel is also running with LHB rakes, comes and departs in the same platform towards the same direction, I was able to confirm that the train leaving platform 3 is not the train I am supposed to travel, by seeing lots of sleeper class in that one. Yes, it is occasionally late running Mayiladuthurai bound Express from Mysore departing late by an hour. Once upon a time, this delay used to be pretty common for mayiladuthurai express, but post electrification, the incidence of this train getting delayed at Thanjavur is greatly reduced.
.
Though it is by default that my train arrives at platform 3 in Thanjavur, but anyways, went to the front entrance and again, checked the platform which my train was supposed to arrive, and yes, the display board also showed the same. So, as of now, my train is delayed. Strolled slowly to my platform and stood near the coach position, and the platform had a good crowd for the train I am supposed to board. People kept asking about the train to the railway staff in platform 3, regarding the train, since there was no announcement till then, and it is already 0630 hours now.
.
Since that the Mysore - Mayiladuthurai is delayed, the entire lineup behind it also started getting delayed. And announcement were going on for Mannargudi bound chemmozhi express that is supposed to arrive on platform 3, and yes it arrived with a Vijayawada based WAP -4, which will be leading it till Nidamangalam. Already the platform had good crowd, in addition to that, the crowd deboarding from chemmozhi, platform 3 was now flooding with people, and some passengers were rushing amidst the crowd to take ticket for karaikkal bound DEMU from Thanjavur and board the same, which is supposed to depart from platform - 5 on that day (usually it departs from platform - 4), but still it will not be a cross platform transfer. As chemmozhi got starter after a halt of less than 2 minutes, heard a loud shrill honk from a distance, yes, empty rake of uzhavan parked at platform 1, made its departure towards trichy for its scheduled primary maintenance there. Wished that it was operated as an express special towards trichy bidirectionally, it could have been very helpful for a lot of people going for office/College/etc. and, in antiparallel fashion that chemmozhi express also made its departure, and at the back of luggage car at the rear end, an erode based WAP - 4 was taking nap since Trichy, will wake up post Nidamangalam and, tow chemmozhi express towards Mannargudi, it's destination. This arrangement of attaching locomotives at both sides was made for chemmozhi express to minimise the time taken for locomotive to reversal at Nidamangalam jn, blocking the traffic for a long time, affecting the road traffic.
.
By the time chemmozhi departed, took out my phone and checked the running status of my train, and WIMT showed that my train has already arrived outers of Thanjavur Jn, and waiting for the empty rake of uzhavan Express to clear the line. After some minutes, my train made a slow entry into platform, and it was a great sense of relief after seeing that a royapuram based WAP - 7 30680 was pulling my train. So, my train arrived Thanjavur Jn with a delay of 36 mts, and I boarded my train.
.
Thanks for reading it patiently.
.
Part - 2 : /blog/post/5963946