A trip report on a journey from MALM to YPR.
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Date:20 & 21 June 2018.
It was time to head back to Bengaluru after having darshan at Mantralayam. The journey was scheduled in the BIDR Express. The scheduled departure is 00:30 hrs at MALM. We reached the station at around 23:30 hrs(20 June 2018). Another half an hour and it would be 21st...
more... and an hour more for our train to reach MALM. Announcement was being made for the NZB bound Rayalaseema Express. As we crossed the booking counter, I heard a typical 3 phase honk. The Rayalaseema Express thundered onto PF.No.2 with LGD WAP7 30452 in the lead running nearly 50+ mins behind schedule. The train didnt get starter for quite a long time. Then, the starter on the mainline at the GTL end turned green. The Khalasi was standing on the gap between the tracks near 12793 with a torch flashing green light. And then once again I heard a whining horn. There it was, the pride of SWR, the King, SBC bound 22692 Namma Bengaluru Rajdhani roared at MPS with TKD WAP7 30335 with amazing track sounds. I regret for not recording a video as I was suddenly down with cold and was desparately waiting to board BIDR Express to catch some sleep. After the majestic skip by SBC Rajdhani, Rayalaseema also departed with its rear EOG coupled the other way round with the vestibule on the other side instead of facing inwards just like it had been when I saw 12793 at RU on March 31,2018. But the size of the crowd on PF.No.2 didnt reduce. The crowd was for the late running MAS-CSMT Express. Finally,MAS-CSMT arrived with Grandpa AJJ WAP1. It left after a minute. Then announcement was made for the Manuguru Express from Kolhapur. HOG LGD WAP7 30572 pulled in with the KOP-MUGR Express with some melodious honking. Simultaneously the SUR-HAS Express arrived with UBL WDP4B 40046. The same loco brought HAS-SUR Express from HAS on 19th June and reversed and took charge from YPR in which travelled from YPR to MALM on the same day. Both the trains started simultaneously. Meanwhile, as per NTES, our train was delayed by 35 mins. LTT bound Kurla Express from CBE came with a WDP4. Surprisingly, it was running with minimal delay. After a long wait, at 00:50 hrs, my train arrived with KJM WDP4 20038(LHF). My coach was B1. As I was settling onto my berth, Bagalkot bound Basava Express arrived on PF.No.2.
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The sun had already risen. I woke up to find that we were departing from YNK at around 06:58 hrs,3 mins late. This showed that we had a good run. We cruised through KDGH. After crossing an LC just after KDGH, we came to a grinding halt. We waited and waited and waited. After 40 mins of wait, MLY WDM3A twins led 15016 YPR-GKP Express sped past our train. It was jampacked and had two Humsafar liveried 3AC coaches. At 7:45 AM, we got clearance, we switched onto the track on the right and crawled through LOGH. Once again we were halted with half of the train within the PF limit of LOGH. Another 10 mins of unscheduled halt at LOGH. After getting starter, we had a non-stop run till YPR outer. Once again we were stopped. This time it was for SUR-HAS Express. After 5 mins, I heard a loud EMD honk and from the window I could see that it was the SUR-HAS Express taking the HAS line with the same WDP4B in charge after reversal. Finally we were cleared to enter the PF. As we were making our way into YPR, I spotted LGD WAP7s 30425 and 30448 resting with DEE Duronto and HWH Humsafar in YPR yard. We pulled onto PF.No.4 at 8:20 AM,40 mins behind schedule. KJM WDP4D was standing with the LHB rake of ADI Express on PF.No.5 and HWH-YPR SF's rake was on PF.No.3. Not to mention, its SWR train and the ICF coach was maintained par excellence and was very comfortable.The coach attendants were friendly and so were the fellow passengers. Kudos to the LPs who gave us an amazing run.
Thanks for reading patiently.
