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TRIP TO TIRUPATI - ANDHRA PRADESH
Good Evening Guyz, Myself Yash from Mumbai, writes the report about my recent trip to Tirupati/Renigunta. Sorry for late arrival. Hope u all will Enjoy it......
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On a warm weekend of December, My parents and I were about to board 11041 - Chattrapati Shivaji (T) - Chennai Express from CST. We arrived CST at 13:00, 1 hour...
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before the departure. My train leaves CST from Platform No. 14. The rakes were already shunted on the platform. I kept the luggage in our berth, S2, coach position 10 from loco. I still had 45 mins to linger over the huge station so I first went to check the Loco link. Freshly POHed WDG3a #13302 was the power on that day. Clicked some pics. After that I noticed the Railway Police Force(RPF) was sitting just behind me in his dream land. It was saturday, Day of Prestigious Deccan Odyssey's run. I went on the Foot over Bridge (FOB) to take a view of the full station. I spotted the Deccan Odyssey. It was being cleaned for its run, Maharashtra Splendour on the Pit line. Spotted WDP4 #20055 taking rest at CST.
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At 14:00, WDG3a Chugs out of the platform towards its Journey to the South of India. However it crawled till Sandhurst Rd. It drifted through some stations. We arrived Dadar at platform No. 5. After a minute halt, we departed. The coach was almost 70% full. It blasted off from some busy stations like Kurla, Ghatkopar. It crossed Bhandup at flat 95kmph where Railfan Jason Coelho was waiting to capture it. Arrived Thane at 14:40. The coach was almost full now. After a brief halt of 2 mins, the train was pulled out into the Parsik tunnel. Awesome echoing of chugging sound was able to hear inside the tunnel. The train was slowed down at the exit of Parsik. Twin Shakti crossed us on the bridge just outside the Tunnel. Shakti was now in mood of blast. Drifted off the stations like Kopar, Dombivli at MPS but later it was made to wait at Kalyan outer. Meanwhile I was checking Whatsapp, came to know that Railfans Amol Nikam, Anshul Vipat and Nitin Kumar is at Kalyan; were to board Pune - Bhusaval at Kalyan to go for their Railfanning section. We were pulled in on platform no. 5 at 15:05, where I met with all the three Badlapur Boys (Amar, Akbar, Anthony) :P I mean Amol, Anshul and Nitin :P. A small meet of 10 mins was filled with humors. After 10 mins, Shakti Chugs out of Kalyan station.
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Later on as our train slithered thru Kalyan-Karjat section, I was checking the railfans on my way. I tried to contact Soumitra Chawathe** of Pune to ask him whether he is free and could meet me at Pune station. But the response was not good as Soumitra sir was busy in his office work. The train reached Karjat at 16:00. Bankers were ready on the line. From here, Shakti will take rest and all the load would be on the Bankers, real hero's of the GHATS. Grabbed some Vada Pav from the platform stalls and entered my coach. At 16:10, Bankers started pushing the coaches, the train entered into the main line. It crossed Palasdhari station. The doors were occupied by the daily travellers of the trains. Somehow I adjusted myself for door platting on the Mighty Ghats. The speed was not much on the ghats but it was a pleasant feeling as the cold winds blow by. The curves, scenaries, climate helped me to recollect the memories of Konkan Raiway during the time of Monsoon. Just an Awesome moments, still remembers the coolness of the Ghats. We crossed Khandala at 16:40 where Pune - Indore with WAP5 was waiting patiently. We arrived Lonavala at 16:47. There was just one noise now - "Ghya Lonavala Chikki Ghya Chikki Ghya". After 5 mins brief halt, Shakti woke from his Nap and started its engine. A big loud honk was given and we were pulled out of the Platform.
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The Route was now running Parallel to the Mumbai - Pune Express Highway. I soon tried to contact with Railfan Himanshu Sharma from Pune. He said that he will be waiting at the platform of Pune. I had some door platting in this section too. WDP4 hauled Mumbai bound Udyan Express crossed us at MPS. Later after 10-20 mins, Mumbai bound Koyna Express crossed us. This time I was successful in taking the video of the crossing. Train arrived Pune at 18:15, 15 mins before time. Met Himanshu Sharma, Railfan from Pune. 10 mins meet was good as we exchange lot of Information regarding Konkan Railway, Railfan meets etc. At 18:35, Shakti pulls out our 18 coacher Express out of Pune. I had my evening Snacks while the train roars in half electrified section (Pune - Daund). Train arrived Daund Outer. It was made to stop. RPF from the SLRD coach got down with their torches. Stone pelting sound was heared. All the people of the train was informed to close the windows of their berth. After 5 mins halt, the train was pulled on the platform of Daund station.
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I had my dinner after we left from Daund. Doors and Windows closed, the only thing I could do now is Play cards. We played almost 4-5 rounds, After which I felt sleepy and went to the upper berth. The train dances along the track at high speed. Somehow I had a small Nap. At 4 am, My sleep was broke by the announcement outside. The language was unknown for me. I was now very conscious to know where I am now. I get off from the seat and reached at the Door. Peeped outside the door. It was a foggy night and We had arrived Krishna station somewhere on the border of Karnataka. I went back to my seat and continued my sleep. At 7:15am we arrived Gooty station. WAP 4 of Erode was the power now. There was a group of Cricket team in our coach now. They had boarded train from Karjat station. They were our entertainment now till Renigunta. At all stops, they use to get down and climb the walls or benches near the Station board and click as much of pics. They didn't even left the Cleaning staffs, Beggers too. But I enjoyed their Company a lot. Later on, I was given a paper regarding the cleanliness of the train by the Pantry staff. I filled it giving overall ratings 8/10 After Yerraguntla, Tirupati - Secunderabad Double Decker crossed us with Gooty WDM3D. We arrived Koduru station at 12:20pm. Now only 3 stations left for Renigunta. Scheduled arrival at renigunta is 13:45 so I was just expecting how will it take more that 30 mins to cross 3 stations. We departed Koduru. Coach was almost empty. We were now again playing Cards. We all were much involved in our game, I just looked outside to the writings on the wall. I was shocked to see. It read "Renigunta Cabin". Now the chaos was created among the passengers of the train who were to deboard it at Renigunta. We arrived Renigunta at 12:45, almost 1 hour before time. Later on I came to understand that it was the magic of the Slack time..... :P
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