Antyodaya Express: The best a common man can get. - Vikas Kumar

The Monday morning rush: 2 hours of non stop high speed train action at Runkuta
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The scorching heat couldn't stop a bunch of railfans from hitting the right spot early in the morning. As me and 3 of my other railfan friends set out on a multi city trip, we stop by at Runkuta and try to feel the rage this isolated station feels everyday. Here are the results:
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1. 07:42 IST, Lost in the dust: Ghaziabad's WAP5 #30017 rages at 150 kmph with 12002 New Delhi - Habibganj Shatabdi Express, overtaking Ajni WAP7 #30296 hauled 18238 Chattisgarh Express
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2. 07:46 IST, The dancing train: After getting overtaken by a raging duststorm, 18238 Chattisgarh Express departs. Just to meet Tughlakabad's WAP7 #30347 with the dancing coaches of 12650 Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express on its way out
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3. 08:01, Double trouble: We had our share of Diesel Under Wire (DUW) too. And make that two. Twin ALCOs chug hard as they pull 14317 Indore - Dehradun Express at full MPS. Add to that the notority of a localite to get famous on video ;)
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4. 08.10 IST, Legend says....: One just can't go to Runkuta early in the morning and miss the sight of a legend being pulled by a beast. Ghaziabad's WAP4 #22622 leaves no disappointment as it roars past with the 104 year old legend, 12138 The Punjab Mail
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5. 08.11 IST, The two headed beast: Did I say we were done with Diesel Under Wires (DUW). Well, ALCOs were just the trailer. This Sabarmati WDG4 #12312 makes it on time to cross the legend at Runkuta with 12403 Allahabad - Jaipur Superfast Express.Oh, and stay put to have a glimpse of a dead Kanpur WAP4 #22932 attached at the rear. Possibly that's to avoid loco reversal
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6. 08:16 IST, The sprint runner: Tughlakabad's WAP7 #30335 rises from the horizon with 12627 Karnataka Express in its trail
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7. 08:28 IST, The Golden Chariot: Making its way down south, 12782 Swarna Jayanthi Express rushes towards its next milestone with Itarsi's WAP4 #22980 in the lead
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8. 08:55 IST, The head turner: Whining its way past, Ghaziabad's WAP7 #30401 creates a lasting impression as its gallops past with 12189 Mahakaushal Express
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9. 08:57 IST, Make way for AP: Roaring from a distance, Ghaziabad's WAP7 #30292 hurries with 22416 Andhra Pradesh Airconditioned Superfast Express
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10. 09.20 IST, The king in the south: 51901 Agra Cantt. - Delhi Passenger led by Ghaziabad's WAP7 #30461 finds its fate in despair as it is looped for the lungi power. Lallaguda WAP7 #30407 with 12433 Chennai Rajdhani Express overtakes AGC-DLI Passenger. Slowly, but steadily.
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11. 09:30 IST, The speedster: A crossing and an overtake! The fastest train in India does it. The new kid in the batch, 12050 Gatimaan Express, with Ghaziabad WAP5 #30007 overtakes Kosi Kalan - Agra Cantt. MEMU while 51901 Agra Cantt. - Delhi Passenger becomes a witness to this show. Unfortunately, this WAP5 bore the grunt of mother nature later on the same day. Watch what happened here: click here or here: click here
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12. 09:44 IST, Waah Taj!: Gatimaan dusts at 160 kmph, MEMU departs, but how can we leave without the icing on the cake. Ghaziabad's WAP7 #30255 ends this sunny morning's session royally with 12280 Taj Express in its tow.
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Thank you for watching! Hope you liked it. I was accompanied by 3 of my railfan friends in this exciting trip. Thank you Himanshu Siloiya, Shardul Sabde and Nitin Kumar