Part II
Good morning on 29th Dec.. I woke up to find our train arriving at Ongole, running late approx by 50 mins. We were greeted by the Andaman Express. After a brief halt at OGL, we started once again. But having frequent stops in between meant the delay could not be recovered. Meanwhile time flew. Breakfast was Served (Bread & Veg Cutlet, surprisingly nice @Rs. 30). Tea was good to avoid as I came to know its nothing but warm water. So waiting for BZA to come to have some good tea.
But...
more... wait.!!!!!!!! We are running late..... and after a covering the stretch till Krishna Canal bridge in a little bit quick time we glided over the Krishna bridge and bang on the middle we stopped. 5.. 10.. 15 mins.. later we were given the proceed signal and finally after leaving the bridge we entered BZA at 10.25AM. So had a brief stretching and stroll on the PF which was busting with Hawkers, Vendors and passengers, took a good cup of Coffee and suddenly caught the announcement of the incoming 12841 Coro at BZA. Meanwhile we got the starter, so I stood at the door to catch the mighty crossing of the SER Grandeur but wait.... Its time to make an unexpected halt as soon as we crossed the BZA Loco and EMU Shed. Mannn!!!!!, it was so boring, standing at the door, kept the ph ready to capture the video and what we're doing... Going nowhere standing in the middle. 1 , 2, 3.. EMU's crossed us but no signs of 12841.. We halted for around 15 mins.. and then by SCR Controller's Grace, the proceed signal was given. Being positive I stood at the door but the ppl are there to screw the Excitement. TTE's poured in and refrained me to stand at the door. Without any choice, came back to my seat. The heat was also increasing gradually outside. I kept waiting for the 12841 and this time it was without the camera.. and the imminent happened. Few mins later, a P4 gushed past and with it went the 12841 towards BZA with the red Train boards which actually helped me in realizing that it's indeed the Coro.
Nothing eventful after that, we kept coasting along the East Coast with halts at Eluru, Tadepalligudem, I mean adding stops makes so much difference in running of the trains.. As expected the delay went into an hourmark when we approached RJY. Fortunately we didn't stop over the lovely Godavari river, but yes we were made to halt at the Godavari Station for 2 mins.. By the time we reached RJY, it was delayed by 1.15hrs. Lunch was served and it wasn't that good. (Rice, Dal, Sabzi, Matar Paneer, Sweet @ Rs.90 and SweetCurd @Rs25. Curd was good) So now what to expect in the RJY VSKP Sector. Being pampered with Slack time, I expected the 12864 to cover up the delay, but as I tracked last 10-12 days Arrival Departure status where most of the trains reached VSKP late due to track maintenance, I perceived why might not make it in time at VSKP. Expected at least 1 hr delay.
But SCR Controllers proved me wrong.. how ? ? ? ?
We were made to crawl on numerous occasions instead of going at par speed.. Stopping every now and then added to the frustration of not only the Passengers but also the Staffs. Reached at even 5Pm seemed like a distant dream. yes it was a dream.. After the torture of almost 4-5 hrs we left RJY, we were made to crawl at VSKP outer and finally pulled into PF7 at 6.45PM. We thought of moving to PF1 to get some food since PF7 only had small Tea Stalls selling biscuits, biriyani and IDlyVada. But since we were already late we didn't risk of going to PF1. instead we chose to rely on the Train food. Here we means a lotta of people.. Not only from our Coach but from Adjoining coaches as well. The SRC P4 which was supposed to carry us for the rest of the Journey was latched in hurriedly and that sight made us think that we would leave a bit early than the expected stoppage duration. Right at 7Pm the signal turned yellow. P4 gave the hoot, everyone rushed to their nearest Coach doors to get in. But wait we aren't moving even though the Signal was turned into Green. what the heck is going on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
without having knowledge why we didn't start even the signal was given, 15mins passed and we started at 7.20PM. At that time we were 3 hours late.. Being already dark outside, we kept in. But the P4 looked menacing after the fall of the day. The sudden change of pace, the battering sounds of the tracks gave the passengers a reason to smile, a reason to cheer. The 12864 was no more a timid tourer now. Though we were 3 hrs late and possibly there wasn't many chances of recovering it, given the number of stops at Odisha, the LP's did a no nonsense job and kept charging ahead. Now we are travelling. Once we reached VZM at 8:05PM, dinner was served ( 2 Parathas, Rice, Curry, Dal, Pickle,Sweet and another Curry (Chana Masala/Chicken/Fish) @Rs. 90.. Many of the co-passengers they thought we would make up the delay at night.. But how ? ? You cannot skip the stoppages.. Can You ??? Can't you? ? ?... Obvious answer was NO
ECOR controllers were graceful not to add up to the delay as we maintained the 3 hr delay... So by that calculation and probably keeping the fog factor in mind, I hoped at least we would be reaching by 9:30 at HWH. by the time we reached BAM it was 11.00PM and before reaching BAM we overtook an Express at a great speed, probably at MPS. The night was long to go and so was our destination. People who would need to go further ahead from KGP and HWH looked much more worried about their connecting train options and that was obvious. Good night from BALUGAON at 12.15AM
Part III
Good morning, a lil bit early wake up and where I am ?? ??? ??? ???
Ahh obviously at Odisha only.... No wait... I just crossed Belda.. So we are in WB approaching KGP and the time was 6:45 AM.. So the delay was still about 3 hours by the time we would reach KGP and yes we the KGP PF at 7.15 Am. 3hours late. Ohh man.. another 3 hrs and that too without knowing the conditions ahead. most the passengers got down at KGP, esp those who would be going to TATA and Ranchi. at 7:30 we left KGP and slowly but steadily we moved ahead and within an hour we approached Panskura and Mecheda.. Soon after Kolaghat there was thick covering of fog which intervened our steady run and we kept slowing down nd down nd down and we stopped. The delay was now 3.20 mins. we slowly started to move ahead probably after 10 mins and we kept moving at snails pace and reached SRC at 9:35Am. Another considerable amount of passengers deboarded. The funniest part was after leaving SRC, we had parallel action with the East Coast Exp rake which was getting moved into HWH for it's journey. I mean we are yet to reach and this bugger is going to start in another hour and half. The snail pace was adding to our apathy of the journey.. and Finally after crossing the Tikiapara station we felt eternity when we saw the Tikiapara shed and lines emerging from the ER Side towards HWH and the HWH Bridge at the background. Time and Time and Time and it was 10.05 Am at the HWH outer. But no actions over here, we were not stopped at the outer. we directly pulled in to PF20 at 10:15AM ( Not sure why IRI shows 9:30 AM as arrival, NTES isn't showing anything though).
Finally an end to appalling journey.
Sun shining bright, lil bit hot than Bangalore but it's good to be back home for few days.
