DEE to BJNR MG Anecdote. Circa 2004.
LONG POST ALERT !!
Thanks to @TS Anubharadwaj who encouraged me to jot down my railfanning experiences
...
more...
My first encounter with MG route was when my father got transferred from CDG to BJNR. We've reached Kashmiri Gate ISBT from Chandigarh in a Haryana Roadways bus and then took an auto to reach DEE. It was in 2004 when I cleared my fourth standard, all I remember was rusty maroon coaches which were comparatively smaller in size. When we got in, I was surprised and sad at the same time, as there were no side berths and my favorite side lower birth was a major missing. Delhi Sari Rohilla - Ahmedabad Express/Fast Passenger departed at around 7-7.30PM, and all I can see was dull fluorescent light's glow increasing with respect to the speed of the train.
It was bedtime, and I tried sleeping but the unusual movement scared me, and later on, I understood that it was the usual scenario in MG when train touches 60KMPH. Woke up to the announcement of our train's arrival at AII. I was surprised for my first visit and making Rajasthan our home for next few years. The train departed AII and it became a fast passenger. Our train started halting at multiple stations - Adarshnagar, Hatundi, Lachhipura, etc, and I can see everyone occupying place in SL class itself over seats, footboard and gallery.
It was strange for me to see gentlemen with colorful Safas (Turban) and ladies with colorful saree with Ghoonghat (Face covered with saree piece) and heavy silver ornaments.
Our train reached Nasirabad and everyone rushed to buy Kachora (flattened version of Kachori). Eventually we found that it was pretty famous up there and we also took some pieces to taste. The moment we finished our Kachora and gulped a sip of water, our train reached BJNR where we alighted at around 10 AM. The final strange observation at BJNR station was a manually operated Water House (locally called Pyau) where a staff member was filling bottles, feeding others with glasses from an earthen pot.
For the next five years, BJNR was our home and we fully utilised the chance of enjoying MG sections until another 2-2.5 years.
I will convey other travelogues in next blogs.
Thank You.
Stay safe
