TRIP REPORT
Train #: 06345
Train Name: Chennai Ernakulam SF Special
RSA: Millennium Express(wild guess based on CC, both CC same)
CC: LOCO-SLR-GS-A1-B2-B1-S11-S10-S9-S8-S7-S6-S5-S4-S3- S2-S1-GS-GS-SLR
Loco:...
more... WAG7 in WAP4 shell
Rake: Expect one or two coaches which was 2003,11.. all others were of 90,91,99 etc
When i arrived at MAS, weather was cloudy. It was around 9.45PM. Display board showed, special is in PF 7. Didn't waste much time, went to Saravana Bhavan. Got the food parceled. When i approached PF7, the rake was already there with WAG7 in rear. Loco was having rest, so i guess, the train came to PF in morning and was resting there itself. All the coaches, expect general were locked. General as usual was crowded. Rather than waiting for the door to get open, decided to take a walk till front. Almost all were old coaches and my coach is as old as me.. 24 years... All of sudden from no where, down pour started. It was quit heavy and continued till the train crossed avadi.
Around 10.10PM, i got into my compartment. Coaches were cleaned well, floors were clean, bathroom was ok. But still the coach looked dirty, it was muddy in colour which may be due to 24yr of service. Even lights were dim. For the first time i felt that i am travelling in reserved sl coach, with no waited list passenger nor daily commuters. SL was full from MAS itself. Around 10.20 felt a jerk, so loco was getting attached....
Rain was in no mood to stop, windows were closed, watch now showed 10.30, but still no movement. So special started getting special treatment. It was when clock ticked 10.40, the starter was given, but before it could gain pace, it was made to halt at BBQ outer. Soon, she was in action. In its MPS. Rushing like anything. It was now already 30min late, and controller who was in charge of this train was fully aware that, another 15min late means, will have to give way to Bangalore mail.
The morning lights were coming in, it was around 5.50am. Opened the window and there stands the GOC WDG4. What a way to start a day. It was crawling, and then understood we are approaching tirupur. IRI showed that train is 45 min late. After the brief halt, she was in full swing and reached CBE with small lateof 2min. Thanks to slack. Cheran was in PF with brand new rakes, 90 percent of rakes were 2012/13..After getting the starter from CBE, it was change of climate. Sudden dip in temp and sky. Yes, we were approaching Ettimada. It was awesome. Maintaining the Speed restriction of ghat section, we reached Palakkad outer at 7.45. But seems like PGT didnt have any idea about this train. It was made to wait in outer for another 15min. Finally reaching PGT at 8.05am in PF2. Late by 25min, which could have been averted.. Ernakulam MEMU(now in conventional ICF rake) with WAG7 tiger in charge was also waitng in PF4. My trip ended there, but she continued her journey.
Rather than ERS special, i felt like CBE special. In My coach, almost 60 to 70 percent of people got down at CBE. But other coaches still had 60to 70percent occupancy.
Its really good special with great TT. I feel this train can be made permanent. It is good train for people from tirpur,cbe, pgt, tcr,ers. Being on Friday, patronage will be there for sure.
Pics will be uploaded soon in comments.. :)
Thank You and Happy Onam
