TRIP REPORT
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Presenting a Trip Report from PUNE-CSTM, trip done on Thursday 15.01.2015 on Makar Sankranti Day. The reason to undertake trip to CSTM was this . Accordingly, booked a ticket one day prior to the date of journey with some 90 odd seats available in 2S Class, but did not get a window seat. My worst fears came true when the system allotted me seat no 80 in D4. So what’s so special about seat no 80? Well its the middle seat and a strong and muscular guy like me would...
more... have to make all sorts of manouvres and yoga positions to accommodate myself in between the 2 co-passengers. :P
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Anyways, reached the station at around 14.30, about 1 hr prior to the departure of my train. The rake of my train which arrives as 11007 from CSTM stays on PF-4 right till 15.30, the time of scheduled departure of 11008. On that particular day, it was parked on PF-5 instead of its usual PF-4, for the reasons best known to station authorities. A few passengers had already made themselves comfortable in the GEN coaches, to avoid the mad scramble for seats later on. A PUNE WDM-3D shunted the rake of 19311 PUNE-INDB Express onto PF-1. Soon, a 22702 BRC WAP-4E took charge of the train. In the meanwhile, PUNE-NZB Passenger departed with PUNE WDG-4 and so did a few EMUs. The loco assigned for our train was 21861 KYN WCAM-2P “Balwant”, which was making its way from the Trip Shed to take charge of our train. It is the first ever WCAM-2P loco which was earlier homed by WR at BL and has had the privilege of hauling BCT Rajdhani. The empty train soon filled up to its capacity. The charts were pasted. A quick look at the charts suggested that I had the LUXURY of window seat (and space :P) only upto SVJR, as my co-passenger would board there. The “TO” column on the chart calmed down my nerves, as one of them was going to deboard at KYN and yhe other at TNA. At 15.20, PUNE-INDB departed, 11030 Koyna Express arrived on PF-4 behind 40016 KJM WDP-4B. We got the starter at 15.30 bang and Balwant set rolling.
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With the next halt barely 2-3 kms away, the train did not go above 50-60 kmph and arrived at SVJR. Whatever empty seats were now taken up now. My co-passenger arrived and my ordeal began!! I folded my hands in order to make some space for myself and the position was quite successful for me in alleviating the trouble. The train picked up speed, only to stop at KK again for 2-3 mins. 16339 CSTM-NCJ Express crossed us here. We departed KK and the trian continued its run, but did not touch 100. The speedo was hovering in the range of 80-90 only max. Soon we crossed 17031 CSTM-HYB Express and arrived at TGN at 16.30, 20 mins late. A few unreserved passengers boarded from here and stood near the door, but surprisingly the number was just 3-4. The rest of the coach carried only reserved passengers.
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The vendors were doing their rounds of offering snacks, which included Cutlets, Omelettes, Sandwiches, Idli, Medu Wada, Bhel, Guavas, Tea, Coffee, Bournvita, Biscuits and soft drinks. The addition to this menu was at LNL with the sounds of “Chikki Chikki Lonavala Chikki” echoing all over the train and PF. We departed LNL at around 17.03, around 25 min late and had a customary halt at PF-2 of KAD for brake testing. On PF-1 was 11009 Sinhagad Express. The descent downhill the Bor Ghats begun on a sombre note, with the train halting at Monkey Hill again for brake testing. With a green from the controllers, the train set on its course to descent the mighty Ghats without any interruptions. The descent was smooth and the train maintained its speed of 50-60 kmph, adhering to the MPS of 60 kmph. The sights of the valleys and tunnels aroused the bored passengers. Having descended the Ghats, KJT welcomed us at around 18.00, 30 min behind schedule.
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KJT meant one thing - Diwadkar Wada Pav, with sights and smells of freshly fried wadas invigorating the senses. Many passengers savoured this delicacy here. Post KJT, the run upto CSTM was fantastic, as if the loco too had energized itself after the bite of Wada Pav!! What was a crawler train upto KJT became a cracker and starting furiously galloping at MPS in order to make up lost time. The train crushed the likes of NRL, BUD, ABH to arrive at PF-7, KYN around 18.40, 20 min late, having covered 10 mins of delay. Had a wonderful parallel run into KYN with 11056 Godaan Express hauled by ET WAM-4. Many passengers got down here and I got a much needed respite from doing YOGASANAS in sitting posture. I shifted onto window seat here. As with entry, at exit too we had a parallel run with a Container rake hauled by a GMO WAG-9 which was moving towards BSR. The MPS run continued, hurtling past the suburban stations at MPS with a sizeable crowd watching our train skip in awe. Departed from TNA around 15 mins late and from DR around 5 mins late. Balwant, true to his name, showed his power and class helped with a bit of slack. Post DR, there were just 2 passengers in my coach. The train continued its blast post DR, all the way upto Masjid. Numerous rakes could be seen taking rest in the yard. The rake of NGP Duronto was being shunted onto PF-18 of CSTM. Finally at 19.40, the train made its way onto PF-13, where the WCAM-3 of AMI SF on PF-12 welcomed us cheerfully with a honk!! :-)
