Pamban Sethu - இது தான் நம்முடைய ராமர் சேது - Darnish C

50 kms in 2.5 hrs-Well immediate reaction will be bad section controllers, heavy crossings, etc- Well no- Its a track where in these 50 kms the descent is 700 mtrs- oh Toy train?? Well again no- its a complete broad gauge 18 coacher train running
Well this experience is something to be enjoyed- 57 tunnels and numerous bridges it is a difficult terrain to cross- but its enjoyable to cross- A definite treat for anyone who has starved in the polluted cities- a ride to remember
anyway being a Railfan let me come...
more...

to the basics- After the city taxi dropped us at YPR station at 6:30AM we entered to Pf-6 where 11006 Chalukya was getting ready for departure and left at 6:35AM even as announcement went for departure of the Hosur pass- 16515 was stationed on Pf-4, Pf-5 with the ADI AC Express and pit line next to Pf-4 with the 12890 Tata Express- coach was D1 with a single window for 3 of us
Anyway went to collect breakfast on Pf-6 just to spot the 12863 from Howrah with WAP4 to enter on time at 7:15AM. announcement went for 22133 SUR Superfast to arrive at 7:25AM. We were given the starter and left at 7:33AM
Just as we cleared the points, WDM-3A entered with the 12735 Garib rath from Secunderabad taking preference over the 16528 from Kannur waiting for a platform. We took off on the double line towards ChikBanwara where WDP-4 hauled 16535 crossed past- TTE came to check tickets and were very strict about unreserved passengers boarding- coach was 60% occupied and hence took comfortable seating
Went at good speed till Hirehalli where we were put up at outer as the shimoga bound passenger occupied the other track as Alco hauled 56224 passenger from Arsikere crossed us at high speed- entered Tumkur crossing WDP-4 Tumkur-Bangalore Special at 8:45AM and left in 2 mins
Well we soon accelerated but i expected we be put up for crossing enroute- that did happen as we were put up on straight line at Mallasandra where KJM WDG-3A entered with the 56228 SMET Passenger- just as it slowed down we started soon
At 9:45AM we came to another stop- at Banasandra for the crossing- this took quite soem time as next station was a halt and the next station was mostly occupied by the SMET pass- we awaited with WDG-4 twins grumbling on the loop on their way to attach someone- at 10:00AM WDP-4 came hurtling past at 90 kmph blasting its way to Bangalore- BTPN rake waited at Tiptur and we reached ASK at 10:45AM on Pf-3 as a BCNA waited at ASK
To be Contd.....Photos too