The train is a small world moving through a larger world - Niraj Kumar

October 2018

This was the first trip I had done with my then new Camera; I was on my way to a cousin's wedding in Karur. It was an adventurous start to the day to begin with. After having breakfast, a friend dropped me in front of Coimbatore Jn., roughly 5 mins before the departure time of the 66602 MEMU to Salem. My luck ran out that morning as far as the UTS App was concerned. In spite of being considerably far away but well within range to buy a ticket,...
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the app simply refused to open. Fed up of wasting 2 precious mins with that, I rushed in to the UR Ticket counters. Thankfully, a gentleman was operating an ATVM machine with his own smart card and I quickly purchased a passenger ticket to Karur.

Ticket in hand, I ascended the stairs to find out that I was standing in front of the Tiruvananthapuram bound Sabari Express on pf1/1A (Coimbatore has a double discharge pf). Realizing my mistake quickly, i ran back down and took the underpass to go to pf6, from where my MEMU was ready to depart. The repeated announcements of "66602 Coimbatore - Salem MEMU is ready for departure from platform no. 6" sent a chill down my spine. If i missed this train, my only alternative was a rescheduled and late running 11014 Kurla Express; that it wouldn't have made a difference is a different story.

I ran up the stairs to pf6 to board the last coach of the MEMU with seconds to spare; all this while carrying a suitcase and a shoulder bag. 😴 Phew!!! I was literally gasping for breath as the MEMU departed. Being an all-stop service, the MEMU went about trotting slowly along the way; It was not a Friday; else, we would have gotten 2 more crossings and an overtake as well. Upon reaching Erode, i had quite some time in hand; so I decided finish an early Lunch. From there, I boarded the 56825 Passenger to Karur. It was on its last few weeks with Diesel link, so I cherished the ride from the very first coach. Hope you did too.

It cost me only Rs. 35 to travel 166 kms from Coimbatore Jn. to Karur Jn.; a distance for which I would paid 4x or 5x the amount in a bus. This Journey was far more enjoyable than some super costly rides I undertook on board Premium trains; but then again, to each person his/her own perspective i suppose; each Journey is different from others. Hope you enjoyed this small Journey Compilation.

A Memorable Journey from Coimbatore to Karur!!

Video Link - click here