CC on the day of travel was as follows:- Loco(WAP-7 LGD Shed#30237, [/blog/post/467623/34)|[/blog/post/467623/34)]|[/blog/post/467623/34)]]|
/blog/post/467623HCPVs-SLR/LD.Total 23 coaches in any train are awesome. However, there may be addition/subtraction of coaches depending on rush as seen in PNRs.
The attachment of WAP-7 has helped in discounting the use of bankers in BPL-NGP section, as the power of WAP-7 is enough to haul 24 coachers across the Budhni Ghats...
True to its name as Sampark Kranti Exp. , the train has now overtaken Karnataka Express in terms of popularity for end-to-end travelers, mainly because of lesser travelling time, less stoppages and relatively less difficulty in obtaining Confirmed reservations.
The train starts its journey from NZM, which was earlier considered distant location for passengers coming from N. India, but by suitable combination of trains, the passengers can directly alight at NZM from North trains. Like in my case I utilized the services the good-old-and well maintained Chattisgarh Express, which usually runs on time, and stiil gives time for freshening up and do rail-fanning if one is interested. The only issue could be using CG Express in winters, where, it might be tighter due to fog problems.
I was allocated my berth in HA1 coach, a side lower berth, again a bonus....
The coach was pretty new, 2011 ICF made, with 20 berths ( 3 full coupes+ 1 half coupe) in AC-2 portion, while 10 berths ( 2 full coupes+ 1 half coupe) in AC-1 portion. The coach was locked from one-side as it had GS coach at its rear, and so it had very minuscule movements of c-passengers from other coaches, other than TTE and PC Staff. The coach had brown and yellow colour combo in curtains, seat and floor, which made it look refreshing. There were charging plugs given, one in each coupe, and were working, although it did got dis-connected once past KCG, and it was promptly addressed by the train staff.
So full marks to the maintenance of coaches, although my berth had 2 waste paper/tissue papers stacked in the book-keeping net.
When inquired, the staff promptly told, that the train is not cleaned properly at NZM. And the remarks from me:- Give me the Complaint Book, and now every-body silent. Anyway.....the staff got it removed. Still, full marks to the overall condition of this coach, including air-conditioning, as it was chilling cold even on side berths...although cannot be said about A-1 coach..
The train starts bang-on-time and after few hiccups just after starting, picks up nice speed, not blasting exactly.
Train Snaps:
/blog/post/467705The train quickly passed over
/blog/post/462383Mathura@0845, Chambal river, GWL at around 1055 hrs, and had its first stoppage at Jhansi Junction, and was running late by appx 15 minutes. Next there was technical halt at Vidisha, and then quickly resumed its journey towards Bhopal..it reached BPL delayed by 30 minutes appx.
After this the real fun starts, as train undergoes numerous turns and curves, giving many opprtunities to shutter-bugged rail fans...although it was getting darker too...
The train entered Budhni Ghats as told by Mahesh Sir in this blog, [/blog/post/462383/24,|[/blog/post/462383/24,]|[/blog/post/462383/24,]]|
/blog/post/462383/24,]]]and there is station by the name of Budhni too.
Nxt the train crosses the sacred river Narmada, just before entering Hoshangabad, where it meets NDLS bound GT Express@1800 hrs...
followed by BTPN rake.
On entry to ET Junction, the train meets 12409 NZM bound Gondwana Express..
Next the train crossed mostly NDLS bound AP Express.
Finally train reached NGP@2237 hrs, late by 37 minutes..
After that Good Sleep, and in morning we are already in AP state, where first station I saw was Wanganpally at 0615 hrs, now not much late..
It entered KCG at 0730 hrs running late by 25 minutes, and had a long halt at KCG of good about 35 minutes. At KCG , it had company of 12798/Chittoor-KCG EXpress, followed by MS-KCG Express trains at PF#3.
Now the train had undergone loco change from WAP-7 to WDP-4...
After chuuging out of KLCG, train quicky passd over MMTS station, and last one noticed was Falaknuma..@0820 hrs.
To be contd.....in Pt-II
