The mighty veteran Purulia Express serving for decades, daily commuters' lifeline and witness to a Rising Bengal! - Soumyadip Mahato

Just took a short trip to Tumakuru to see the ECR Antyodaya rake.
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The travel itself was exciting. I bought a ticket for KSK and was waiting at YPR PF 4. It was late and rescheduled to 2 PM. Later it was announced that the Pass would come to PF 3. I was in two minds whether to wait for this and struggle into UR - there were a lot of people waiting - or take the Pass. The Pass came in at 2:17. In a split second I decided to take...
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the Pass. When just as I was crossing to PF 3, I saw KSK being shunted into PF 4. But seeing the crowd rushing into the lonely UR coach I decided to take the Pass. The Pass left at 2:20. Announcement was made that KSK would leave at 2:30. Now surely in the course of the next 64 Kms, KSK would overtake the Pass at any of the intermediate stations, Right ?
Well the LP had other plans or was given instructions by the controllers.
He started smoothly gliding from YPR and then accelerating like anything. At each of the 10 halts in between - he would pull in and then as soon as he got the signal, start blasting again. It was like an endless waiting game for me. I was anticipating the OT anytime. It never came !!!!
I had travelled in this train a lot. It would reach TK at its own pace at 3:50-4:20, anytime it wished. The Pass pulled in at 3:30 (25 minutes before time) at TK and I sighted the Antyodaya. All thoughts about KSK forgotten I climbed the FoB and clicked away pics. Then came KSK at 3:40.
Great run by the Pass - 64 Kms in 70 mins with 10 halts.