Eat-Sleep-Railfanning 🔄 Repeat - Shankar Mehani

On the route from MAS to ERS/TVC/MAQ, the distance indicators on electric poles start with 0 at MAS and move progressively to Arakkonam (69), Katpadi (129), Jolarpettai (213), Salem (333), Erode(395) and then Irugur (478). Thereafter the line branches out into two sections. The line on the left moves straight to Podanur (489) and beyond to Palakkad (539) (skirting Coimbatore Main). But the one on the right moves via Singanallur, Pilamedu, Coimbatore North and on to Coimbatore Junction (CBE).
However, on the right hand side line, the distance marking starts afresh at 0 from Irugur culminating in 18 at CBE, as observed by me at PF 4 at CBE, on 23rd August, as I was waiting to board the 16614 CBE-Rajkot...
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Express to KR Puram. Another 5 kms away the line rejoins the main line at Podanur, which is 489 kms from MAS bypassing CBE and 501 kms via CBE.
wWhy this curious instance of fresh numbering from 0 between Irugur and CBE is probably explained by the fact that this line came much later when the track via CBE was laid. The original MALABAR line laid by the British bypassed CBE and may therefore be considered to be the MAIN LINE.
(This one is specially for Anand Nambyar** and Pramod**, who happens to a frequent flier sorry RAILER on this route.